Mar19

In Flames – I, the Mask Review

In Flames – I, the Mask Review

“Let’s get one thing straight. In Flames is not a melodic death metal band anymore, and they haven’t been for quite a while. This is not in and of itself a bad thing. It’s just the way it is. That being said, The Jester Race was a magnificent piece of Gothenburg melodeath. The band has since become the Law of Diminishing Recordings’ main bitch and haven’t been able to get out from under that role. Yet I, opportunist that I am, was all too eager to snatch their thirteenth effort I, the Mask from the grubby claws of the AMG Consortium.” Snatch and sob.

Queensrÿche – The Verdict Review

Queensrÿche – The Verdict Review

Queensrÿche has endured more drama over their 36-year life span than you’d see in a typical season of your preferred Mexican soap opera. The plot lines look quite similar too. You have the full-tilt diva, the long suffering but loyal compadres, the insidious temptations of cash and fame, and of course, the inevitable implosion, breakup and resulting legal morass. That said, things have been pretty stable in camp Queensrÿche since Geoff Tate bailed and the band recruited Todd La Torre to man the mic.” 12 Angry Metal Guys.

Vimur – Triumphant Master of Fates Review

Vimur – Triumphant Master of Fates Review

“Have you ever looked up on a clear night, no artificial light for miles around, and observed in awe the spectacular array of heavenly bodies above? Stars abundant sparkle and twinkle, all seeming minuscule in relation to the massive distances separating us from them. As you gaze upon the majesty above you can’t help but feel a strange duality between absolute wonder and crushing disappointment; wonder at the beauty nature put on display every night for millennia, and disappointment at the entirety of humanity’s wholly insignificant existence for progressively wiping out such a display from the night sky (save for but a few precious locations). This duality between wonder and disappointment is exactly what I face whenever I spin Atlanta’s Vimur’s sophomore full-length Triumphant Master of Fates.” Master Blaster.

Eremit – Carrier of Weight Review

Eremit – Carrier of Weight Review

“First impressions, man. For all the hyperbole and word-saladry people spin about them, they do serve their purpose, regardless if they’re a fully accurate summation of whatever it is they’re representing. Since this is a metal blog and you, dear reader, aren’t here for dating advice, political commentary, or anything else that you couldn’t find in abundant supply over at Facebook, you can correctly guess I’m about to discuss a debut. German then-trio Eremit are plunging their swords into the Earth, hoping to stake their claim as new heroes of all things slow and sludgy with Carrier of Weight, bombarding you with all the glory and power that three guys can possibly pack into three songs… totaling around 68 minutes.” Eremit the Bog.