Mar17

Junius – Eternal Rituals for the Accretion of Light Review

By Huck N Roll on March 7, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Post-metal, Prosthetic Records, Reviews, Post-Metal, 56 comments

“Here’s a little-known fact about Angry Metal Guy: we love triple LPs. There’s something to be said for the sheer audacity, the pretentiousness that goes into even thinking of releasing something so ludicrous. Such events, therefore, deserve our complete attention. This latest opus from Junius, Eternal Rituals for the Accretion of Light (or ERAL because I’m lazy), isn’t a triple LP, per se, but it is part three of a trilogy of conceptual albums, and that’s the next best thing.” Good things come in threes (every 2- years).

Patria – Magna Adversia Review

By Treble Yell on March 6, 2017 in 2017, Black Metal, Brazilian Metal, Reviews, Soulseller Records, 11 comments

“We know that art is often wrought in the forge of circumstance but beyond the personal biases, trials and tribulations of everyday life can the very climate we live in serve as a catalytic muse? Louisiana’s turgid humidity spawned swampy sludge metal and the pallid, frozen wastes of Scandinavia formed the backdrop against which black metal performs its danse macabre. It’s the latter’s frigid fingers that grip Magna Adversia, the latest release by Patria. But rather than hailing from Norway or Sweden, the band inhabits the mountainous south of Brazil.” Brazil is not a frostbitten kingdom.

Disharmony – Goddamn the Sun Review

By Grymm on March 6, 2017 in 2017, Black Metal, Greek Metal, Iron Bonehead Productions, Reviews, Black Metal, 36 comments

“A great wise man once said, “You have your whole life to craft your debut album for the masses.” It’s true, though. The time taken to craft an impressive debut is, quite literally, limitless. While some bands gloriously fly against this logic, many of them take extra care to make sure their debut shines brighter than a million incandescent suns. Some bands take a few months after inception to write, while others, like Greece’s Disharmony, took a while. And by “a while,” I mean 26 years.” Band meets world.

Solitary – The Diseased Heart of Society Review

By Dr. Wvrm on March 5, 2017 in 2017, English Metal, Reviews, Thrash Metal, UKEM Records, Thrash Metal, 13 comments

“Why is thrash metal the de facto outlet for raging against the machine nowadays? The genre was always pissed off, but the distillate of what was once a hallowed pastime of metal at large is now brewed exclusively into the complimentary Milwaukee’s Best served at your local jean vest purveyor. Don’t look to Solitary to deviate from that. Featuring $$$, Jesus, a handgun, and some sweet, sweet H, The Diseased Heart of Society’s cover is four-fifths of the way to social commentary Bingo.” Don’t drink the Beast.

Svart Crown – Abreaction Review

By Roquentin on March 4, 2017 in 2017, Black Metal, Century Media, Death Metal, French Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Death Metal, 32 comments

“‘Malevolence.’ That word resonated through my mind as I listened to the fourth full-length by French death/black outfit Svart Crown. A word so mundane and exploited in adjective-laden reviews that it appears frivolous when used to describe metal. Yet, when Abreaction is concerned, the seeping and creeping feeling suggested by the word seems almost palpable, venturing beyond just a cool appellation and into territories of real unease.” You merely adopted the evil.

Sons of a Wanted Man – Black Days Black Dust Review

By Madam X on March 3, 2017 in 2017, Belgian Metal, Black Metal, Hardcore, Post-metal, Pulverised Records, Reviews, Sludge, Hardcore, Sludge Metal, 33 comments

“Who are Sons of a Wanted Man you ask? In short they’re a fledgling band, hailing from Beringen (Belgium). Citing the influence of Gojira, Deafheaven and Alcest, Sons of a Wanted Man dabble in introspective post-black metal, forcibly heavy sludge and raw hardcore with Black Days Black Dust claiming to journey through beauty and frenzy in equal measure.” This looks suspiciously like an EP….

Desecrate the Faith – Unholy Infestation Review

By Kronos on March 1, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Comatose Music, Death Metal, Reviews, Death Metal, 15 comments

“There is nothing special about this record. No mind-boggling solos, no affecting melodies, not a whiff of progressive ideas or grand concepts. What it does have is everything a brutal album needs: riffs, hatred, and a conspicuous lack of snare dampening. To put it simply, Desecrate the Faith sound like a grittier version of Aborted or Benighted.” And sometimes that’s enough, dammit!

Bear Mace – Butchering the Colossus Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on March 1, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Death Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Death Metal, 50 comments

“Though I live in quasi-bear country, I had no idea “bear mace” was a thing until I started researching Bear Mace (the band). While I know encounters with real-life Pooh bears are no laughing matter, there’s something comical about whipping out a can of bear mace to fend off a charging Grizzly. I mean, seriously, what are the odds that everything is going to end well?” You have the bear minimum chance of success.

Cataleptic – Forward Review

By GardensTale on March 1, 2017 in 2017, Archaic Sound, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Finnish Metal, Reviews, Death Metal, Doom Metal, 16 comments

“Using different tempos, introducing secondary instruments, changing style of vocals or inviting guest singers, I could go on and on about the many ways a band can break the bonds of monotony. And maybe I should, just in case Cataleptic read this review.” Free pointers because we care.

Wolfheart – Tyhjyys Review

By Steel Druhm on February 28, 2017 in 2017, Black Metal, Death Metal, Finnish Metal, Reviews, Spinefarm, Black Metal, Death Metal, 20 comments

“Whenever Tuomas Saukkonen releases something there’s a certain amount of buzz in the filthy underbelly of metal. When he had Before the Dawn and Black Sun Aeon running simultaneously, he released a staggering amount of high-quality melo-death steeped in Finland’s biggest export – melancholy. After folding both well-regarded acts and creating Wolfheart, things seemed to take a few steps backward quality-wise.” Have you found the secret that I have lost?