King Diamond

Them – Manor of the Se7en Gables [Things You Might Have Missed 2018]

By Diabolus in Muzaka on January 10, 2019 in 2018, International Metal, Power Metal, Steamhammer, Things You Might Have Missed 2018, Power Metal, 115 comments

“I have fond memories of poring over classic spooky stories like Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado” or “The Tell-Tale Heart” at my grandmother’s house and being repulsed and fascinated with the characters, settings, and actions. I got hooked and read Poe’s short stories over and over. Metal is too gore-obsessed to reliably deliver the classic spooks, save for King Diamond… but he hasn’t put anything out since 2007. Who will deliver good old-fashioned spooky stories through the medium of metal?!” BOO(urns)!

Dr. A.N. Grier’s Top Ten of 2018

By Dr. A.N. Grier on December 26, 2018 in 2018, Blog Posts, Lists, 168 comments

Doctors in Da House! Next Dr. A.N. Grier presents his Top Ten of 2018. It’s been meticulously researched, so now it needs peer review. Give it!

Yer Metal Is Olde: Monster Magnet – Powertrip

By Huck N Roll on December 7, 2018 in 2018, American Metal, Heavy Metal, Stoner Metal, Yer Metal Is Olde, Heavy Metal, Stoner Metal, 86 comments

“A little while ago I talked about how 1998 was not a great year for metal. Some loyal thralls disagreed with me, but you know what? I was right. However, I should add to that point the fact that, while 1998 wasn’t a great year, when the music was good it was really good. Bruce Dickinson, Opeth, Blind Guardian, and Iced Earth all released great albums, as did a few other bands I’m sure will surface (again) in the comments here. And yeah, I suppose King Diamond could be included. Not to be overlooked in all of this is Monster Magnet’s grand fifth album, Powertrip.” Power is its own reward.

Unearth – Exctinction(s) Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on November 19, 2018 in 2018, American Metal, Century Media, Metalcore, Reviews, Metalcore, 43 comments

“I’ve always liked Unearth’s style of metalcore, which I first encountered on the genre classic The Oncoming Storm. That’s their high-water mark for me, and the sound of Americanized Swedish melo-death with the breakdowns of metalcore hit both the melodic and kinetic sweet spots. Yes, structurally it was predictable; you could bet successfully that if there was a chugging bit then a melodic one was right around the corner or vice versa, but it worked like gangbusters. The more Unearth adheres to their established sound, in my view, the better.” Stay in your lane!

Hank Von Hell – Egomania Review

By Huck N Roll on November 6, 2018 in 2018, Century Media, Glam Metal, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Glam Metal, 53 comments

“November: the time of year when Madam X rules the roost with her iron fist. Meaning, this month I’m taking my orders from her, and the first order of business is this Hank Von Hell record. Name ring a bell? It does if you were (or for some reason still are) a Turbonegro fan. Von Hell, then known as Hank Von Helvete, sang for those punky fellows for seventeen years and six records, then stepped away for a variety of reasons both sordid and domestic. His short-lived band, Doctor Midnight & the Mercy Cult, put out an album in 2011, and then he faded away again until now, where we are presented with Egomania.” Turbo ego.

Malphas – The 39th Spirit Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on November 3, 2018 in 2018, American Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Reviews, Via Nocturna, Melodic Death Metal, 29 comments

“With a concept album comes even more pressure than a typical release. Not only should the music be good, but it should seamlessly blend with the story. And it’s gotta be convincing. When I listen to King’s The Puppetmaster, I can feel myself hanging from a hook at a long-forgotten puppet shop in “Living Dead.” I can feel the battle brewing in the barren wasteland of Iced Earth’s “Desert Rain.” And I can feel the weight hanging on Immortal in Unleash the Archers’ “Cleanse the Bloodlines.” What’s it feel like to make a pact with a demon to obliterate organized religion?” 39 spirits and a Grier ain’t one.

Antiverse – Under the Regolith Review

By Ferrous Beuller on November 2, 2018 in 2018, American Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Reviews, Seeing Red Records, Thrash Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Thrash Metal, 108 comments

“Of all the adages that exist to roll my eyes to the back of my head, “expect the unexpected” might be the worst. I hate that kind of axiomatically incorrect, cryptic bullshit. But, in a roundabout way, it does hold true. During even the most lean of musical years, a small part of me always perseveres in the hope that, just maybe, an album will come along, entirely off-radar, and take me by surprise. Sometimes, I even wonder if these records exist in abundance in some kind of alternate reality – an Antiverse, if you will.” Bizarro metal.

Witherfall – A Prelude to Sorrow Review

By Steel Druhm on October 30, 2018 in 2018, American Metal, Century Media, Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, 64 comments

“Witherfall was one of the biggest surprises of 2017. They came out of left field and blew my doors off with a hyperactive, highly technical take on power-prog rivaling Symphony X and Nevermore. Formed by several White Wizzard ex-pats including guitar titan, Jake Dreyer (Iced Earth), their Nocturnes and Requiems debut was bigger-than-life, over-the-top and spared no wankery or noodling for a rainy day. Luckily, their songwriting was stout enough to stand up to the onslaught of more is MOWWRRR musical showboatery. Just over a year later and they’re back with a new drummer and backing guitarist, and poised to drop their sophomore outing A Prelude to Sorrow.” Draining the wank bank.

Yer Metal Is Olde: King Diamond – “Them”

By Dr. A.N. Grier on October 12, 2018 in 2018, Blog Posts, Danish Metal, Heavy Metal, Roadrunner, Yer Metal Is Olde, Heavy Metal, 138 comments

“Judge me for what I am but, to me, and other KD fans, “Them” ain’t derogatory bullshit. “Them” won’t transform you into a dick-less, redneck loser. No. Instead, “Them” will turn you into a helpless pansy who’ll piss her/his pants at the ring of the doorbell. “Them” will keep you up at night and make your stomach turn at that smell of a warm cup of tea. “Them” will be the reason you fall to the floor and curl up in the fetal position when your grandma comes for the weekend.” Teabag the attic.

Witchfyre – Grimorium Verum Review

By Huck N Roll on August 18, 2018 in 2018, Fighter Records, Heavy Metal, NWOBHM, Reviews, Spanish Metal, Heavy Metal, NWOBHM, 27 comments

“What’s this? Someone other than Dr. A.[1. bigail]N.[2. utjob] Grier reviewing a Mercyful Fate-worshiping release? Say it ain’t so! Well, sorry for all you King Diamond weenies, but it’s true. With the good Doctor tied up on other things, it falls to me to tackle this new album from Spain’s Witchfyre.”