King Diamond

Solitary Sabred – By Fire & Brimstone Review

By Holdeneye on March 13, 2020 in 2020, Cypriot Metal, Heavy Metal, No Remorse Records, Power Metal, Reviews, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, 37 comments

“When Cypriot band Solitary Sabred entered my schedule, I looked back in the site’s archives and saw that their 2014 release Redemption Through Force had not only been covered, but highly recommended. Naturally, I was intrigued and I sampled. What I found was a heavy/power metal concept album with absolutely insane vocals. Sounding like a mixture of Manowar and Sanctuary due in no small part to singer Petros Leptos’ delivery consisting of three parts Eric Adams and one part early Warrel Dane, I immediately fell in love and ordered a physical copy of the release.” Steel thyself.

Dr. A.N. Grier’s Top Ten(ish) of 2019

By Dr. A.N. Grier on January 1, 2020 in 2019, Blog Posts, Lists, 101 comments

“Name another site out there with writers hiding behind silly monikers whom you know better than your best friends. Name a site you dared to lean on, pouring your heart out in the comments, getting positive and uplifting responses when you needed them most. Name a site you’ve spent as much time debating, loving, and sharing music as you have on AMG. You can’t.” Truth telling.

El Cuervo’s and Diabolus in Muzaka’s Top Ten(ish) of 2019

By Dr. Wvrm on December 29, 2019 in 2019, Blog Posts, Lists, 118 comments

El Cuervo and Diabolus in Muzaka made lists and checked them twice. But are their Top Ten(ish) of 2019 naughty or nice?

Reveal – Scissorgod Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on December 2, 2019 in 2019, Black Metal, Death Metal, Reviews, Sepulchral Voice Records, Swedish Metal, Black Metal, Death Metal, 23 comments

“No month of horror movies leading up to the big day. No romantic nights with Elvira. No King Diamond/Mercyful Fate marathons. But, I’ll be goddamned if Halloween escapes me before 2019 ends. So, instead of turkey preparations and being thankful for the useless shit in my life, November is my new October. And, as it turns out, there’s no one I’d rather spend it with than Reveal and their third concoction of mindfucking black and death, Scissorgod.” No safety scissors these.

Rimfrost – Expedition: Darkness Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on October 19, 2019 in 2019, Black Metal, Ferocious Records, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Black Metal, 110 comments

“Though every one of the band’s records is a pleasure to listen to, Rimfrost is the result of years of honing one’s sound to achieve near-perfection. It is, without a doubt, the high-water mark of the band’s career. It’s I, it’s Bathory, and it’s Immortal at their best. It’s big, it’s full, and it’s goddamn epic. There’re incredible riffs, blazing solos, melodic passages, and so many memorable moments. Which spells doom for Expedition: Darkness. How can one ever top their pinnacle release? The answer is: most can’t. But Rimfrost did.” Here be the gushing.

The Offering – Home Review

By Holdeneye on August 1, 2019 in Reviews, Death Metal, Deathcore, Groove Metal, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Metalcore, Nu Metal, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, Thrash Metal, 109 comments

“In 2017, Boston band The Offering dropped a self-titled—and killer—EP that got them noticed by Century Media. Well, it’s time to check out their debut full-length Home, so grab something olde, something nü, something growled, and something blues, because today we’ll be haunting the chapel to see if the band can successfully marry an unhealthy number of musical influences into a cohesive whole.” Holy headlock!

The Projectionist – Visits from the Nighthag Part 2 Review

By Master of Muppets on June 28, 2019 in 2019, Appalachian Noise Records, Black Metal, Canadian Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, 36 comments

“All was dark, the sound of falling rain my only companion as I watched the world from atop Black Mount Promo. Hushed whispers warning of The Nighthag’s return had found their way to my ears, and I had to be sure. Before long, Iightning split the sky, shattering the surrounding dark, and there she was: The Nighthag, back for Part 2 of her deadly visit to our lands, summoned by The Projectionist.” From hags to riches.

Nocturnal Breed – We Only Came for Violence Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on June 28, 2019 in 2019, Black Metal, Folter Records, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Thrash Metal, Black Metal, Thrash Metal, 25 comments

“Nocturnal Breed are everything I’ve ever wanted to be in this life. They’re old-school, they don’t give a shit about anybody or anything, and they’re Norwegian. Making their start with ‘97’s Aggressor, these hateful sonsabitches haven’t changed a goddamn thing in over twenty years. Their albums are way too long, there’s no fluidity from one track to the next, and they’re still kicking the combination of Bathory, Venom, and Motörhead mixed with first-wave black metal and thrash.” Breed in the night.

Haunt – If Icarus Could Fly Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on May 20, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, Heavy Metal, NWOBHM, Reviews, Shadow Kingdom Records, Heavy Metal, NWOBHM, 36 comments

“Yet, dread begins to grip you as you recognize the name and realize Haunt put up their debut less than a year ago. That’s never a good sign, is it? This can only end in one of two scenarios: this new release is a rushed, directionless piece of shit or If Icarus Could Fly is Part II to Burst into Flame.” Spirited or spirit adrift?

Sacred Monster – Worship the Weird Review

By Kenstrosity on March 10, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, Doom Metal, Heavy Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Stoner Metal, Doom Metal, Heavy Metal, 62 comments

“As my favorite news anchor Morbo once said, “DOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!” That’s right Morbo, today we are indeed sampling some doom. Stoner doom to be exact. Most albums of this genre handle such topics ranging from drugs to spiritual enlightenment to nature. Contrary to the established norm, Chicagoan quartet Sacred Monster eschew the drug-addled tropes to scare audiences with a sci-fi horror/thriller themed debut named Worship the Weird. At the very least I expect the band hopes Worship the Weird will shake things up in this overcrowded field.” Stoner monster.