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Domovoyd – Oh, Sensibility Review

By JF Williams on October 8, 2013 in 2013, Doom Metal, Finnish Metal, Reviews, Stoner Rock, Svart Records, Doom Metal, Stoner Metal, 0 comments

“Finland has a dark legacy within the subterranean world of doom metal. Browsing the Encyclopaedia Metallum’s list of Finnish bands reveals the likes of funeral doom pioneers Thergothon and Skepticism, as well as other underground stalwarts of the genre such as Wormphlegm, Shape of Despair and Stabat Mater, to name a few. Indeed, the Finns do not fuck around with their doom – perversion, depression, sadism and Lovecraftian horror is the name of the game. Even the more traditionally oriented Reverend Bizarre was similarly steeped in lyrical and musical despondency alongside their trademark tongue-in-cheek snarkiness. Yet, here we have relative newcomers Domovoyd. Somewhat of an anomaly within the country’s pitch-black doom metal reputation, Domovoyd is a stoner doom group that looks to the likes of Electric Wizard, Sleep and The Sweet Leaf for inspiration.” A new and exciting band and a review of same by a new and exciting writer for AMG. JF Williams is here to discuss doom, stoner rock and all things Sabbath worshipping.

Lord Dying – Summon the Faithless Review

By Alex Franquelli on July 19, 2013 in 2013, 3.5, American Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Relapse, Reviews, Sludge, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Sludge, 1 comment

“It’s all about the modes of production. Our own lives follow prearranged paths and are shaped around certain dynamics; we are not even ‘what’ we produce, but rather ‘how much’ we render to society. And it all goes in circles. The past is gone but we cling to it and although we sometimes deny its intrinsic value, we end up imitating its excesses. Ever played Earth, Wind & Fire in your car stereo? Of course not! But only those who don’t own a car can be trusted when they say they didn’t zap when Daft Punk’s horrific, ghastly latest single horribly graced their radio’s frequencies. The same goes with metal. There is nothing new and what is new is not metal. Therefore Lord Dying have spawned a great record.” Alex issues forth on what is old, new, borrowed and blue and also reviews a pretty smacking records from genre blenders Lord Dying. Oh, that Alex!

Surgeon – Chemical Reign Review

By Dr. Fisting on May 16, 2013 in 2013, 3.0, Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, Releases, Reviews, Uncategorized, Unsigned Bands, 0 comments

“The awesomely-named Surgeon is a trio from Philadelphia, and according to them, they play progressive metal with a touch of doom. Their second album is out this week and goes by the very metal name of Chemical Reign. I was unable to find any trace of their first album on the Interwebs, and as it turns out, “Surgeon” is not the most Google-friendly of band names (although I now know where to get a gastric bypass done).” So how does a doom-prog band from the City of Brotherly Love sound? Is there some malpractice going on in the songwriting department? Mr. Fisting will explain all after his procedure.

Colossus – Wake Review

By Alex Franquelli on April 21, 2013 in 2013, 4.0, Perennity Records, Reviews, Swedish Metal, 4 comments

I’ve spent the last few minutes trying to stick a label on Wake. Not that it matters anyway and, to be honest, watching MTV on mute while listening to “Ruinbuilder” with my headphones on is a valid alternative to tiring out my brain. Ms Germanotta is out of sync in this peculiar, extemporary world of mine as she moves about trying to keep up with the pace imposed by the nervous beat of a Swedish drummer. This unrepeatable choreography slowly fades into the background as Niklas Eriksson’s vocals, sometimes reminiscent of Savatage’s Zachary Stevens and Jon Oliva’s melancholic elegance, boldly sets the record straight with the opener “A Stir from Slumber”.

Angry Metal Guy’s Unsigned Band Rodeo: Witch Ripper – Witch Ripper

By Angry Metal Guy on April 19, 2013 in Angry Metal Guy's Unsigned Band Rodeo, Blog Posts, 5 comments

In our new monthly feature, which will show up here on the 15th of every month and run over the next few days, I (Angry Metal Guy) will select 5 bands at random (usually those who have followed my directions and have bandcamp accounts) to get blurbed by every member of the AMG staff. The idea is to do at least a bit of our part to point out that the metal underground is still an important part of the world of metal. While we simply don’t have the manpower to produce regular reviews of unsigned bands, this is my attempt at a minor mea culpa if nothing else. So enjoy Angry Metal Guy’s Unsigned Band Rodeo and our fifth and final entry: Witch Ripper!

Kongh – Sole Creation Review

By Alex Franquelli on February 5, 2013 in 2013, 3.5, Agonia Records, Doom Metal, Reviews, Sludge, Swedish Metal, Doom Metal, Sludge Metal, 2 comments

Quite an epic album. The fuzz is there in all its imperfect majesty, while the pace is as slow as ever, bringing back the doom where it belongs: in the realm of repetitions, through think layers of narcotic sounds. Overall, the final result is a solid evolution from the psychedelic throes of Shadows of the Shapeless, but whoever (well, everyone) says that Kongh sound like Yob is right. And yet they’re wrong at the same time [Oh God! Which is it!? — AMG], since the sound these three lost souls from Nässjö and Småland (that’s southern Sweden, for the most curious nerds amongst yourselves) seem to enjoy touching on the likes of Alice in Chains (“Skymning”), Mastodon (“Sole Creation”) and Brooklyn’s own Tombs.

Things You Might Have Missed 2012: Silencer – The Great Bear

By Angry Metal Guy on January 10, 2013 in 2012, Reviews, Things You Might Have Missed 2012, Heavy Metal, 2 comments

One of the records I meant to get to but never was able to was this modern thrash metal epic from Colorado’s Silencer. This record is a bit of a unique one, actually, but it grabbed my attention immediately because it’s a concept record about the space race between the USSR and the USA from the perspective of the Soviets. Strike you as weird? Yeah, me too. But I was surprised upon giving it a few listens to see that, indeed, The Great Bear is a very ambitious and cool record – but completely unpretentious despite the seemingly obscure and borderline esoteric topic.