May17

Avatarium – Hurricanes and Halos Review

By Steel Druhm on May 24, 2017 in 2017, Doom Metal, Nuclear Blast, Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Doom Metal, Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, 40 comments

“I had no idea this album was even happening until late Friday evening. It arrived in the Promo Department and Madam X sent a minion scurrying to my stately offices inquiring if I was expecting something new from Avatarium. After said minion was soundly whipped for making eye contact and disturbing my righteous Steelsleep, I reflected on the question. Having heard nothing whatsoever of a new album I assumed it was just an EP, remix or some such nonsense. Not so, as it’s actually the third album of bluesy, 70s influenced quasi-doom rock from Candlemass founder Leif Edling and company.” A mighty wind’s gonna halo.

Pyreship – The Liars Bend Low Review

By GardensTale on May 24, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Black Bow Records, Doom Metal, Reviews, Sludge, Doom Metal, Post-Metal, Sludge, 10 comments

“Samples in music have been a controversial point throughout its history. Their use ranges from the occasional embellishment to set the mood, to incorporating it into the lifeblood of the music, which was part of the origins of hip-hop. Detractors claim it to lack creativity by definition, because it means using someone else’s work. Defenders argue that the application of existing work in a different context is what makes it creative. No matter what your position, the fact is that plenty of metal bands have made use of them, from political voices in Megadeth to horror movie samples in Mortician.” A sampling of doom.

Loss – Horizonless Review

By Madam X on May 23, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Profound Lore Records, Reviews, Death Metal, Doom Metal, 54 comments

“It’s been said that “when the gods want to punish you, they answer your prayers.” I first came upon Loss and their brand of unrelenting funeral death-doom back in 2011 when Steel matched wits against the almighty Despond. Prior to this, I’d never been exposed to anything that sounded so grudgingly drawn out or so full of crushing personal failure. It mesmerized me! Not the funeral doom genre itself, but rather the arresting approach specifically promulgated by Loss. It’s been six years since Despond, and lo and behold, Loss are gifting us with a new experience aptly titled Horizonless.” Feel the pain of Loss.

Nad Sylvan – The Bride Said No Review

By El Cuervo on May 23, 2017 in 2017, InsideOut, Non-Metal Metal Things, Progressive Rock, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Progressive Rock, 20 comments

“2015’s Courting the Widow by the dandyish Nad Sylvan was a sadly overlooked little gem. It’s one of my favorite prog releases in recent years and was perhaps unfortunate to miss out on my 2015 list. It featured accomplished prog in the vein of the ’70s but most importantly had a charming joviality and insincerity which made it a genuine pleasure to hear. I was therefore only too happy to find that a sequel was primed for release called The Bride Said No.” Nad’s back!

Beastmaker – Inside the Skull Review

By Saunders on May 22, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Doom Metal, Reviews, Rise Above Records, Stoner Rock, Doom Metal, Psychedelic Rock, Stoner Rock, 13 comments

“Californian doomers Beastmaker take a familiar approach worshiping at the altar of classic Sabbath and Pentagram, grinding these well worn influences through a hazy stoner rock filter, complete with loose garage-y vibe. Already the band has a couple of releases under their belts despite their relatively short existence, but do these drugged-out heathens have what it takes to compete with the big guns?” Not to be confused with the Beastmaster, nor the Beastmilker.

Danzig – Black Laden Crown Review

By Steel Druhm on May 22, 2017 in 2017, AFM Records, American Metal, Doom Metal, Heavy Metal, Nuclear Blast, Reviews, Doom Metal, Heavy Metal, 65 comments

“I remember being instantly taken with the sound of Danzig’s self-titled debut when I saw the video for “Twist of Cain” on MTV’s Headbanger’s Ball. Sure, I knew Mr. Danzig from The Misfits and Samhain, but this was a much different beast. Metal, meaty, manly and catchy as all get out. Thus began my fandom for the man’s solo career, which burned brightly from 1988 to 1996, at which time the biscuit wheels came off the gravy train to the sickening sounds of electronica.” Pec the halls with brows from Jersey!

DragonForce – Reaching into Infinity Review

By Eldritch Elitist on May 22, 2017 in 2017, English Metal, Metal Blade, Power Metal, Reviews, Power Metal, 57 comments

“There was a period back in my early high school days where I listened to DragonForce almost exclusively. I learned guitar so I could (badly) play “Through the Fire and Flames,” I wore one of the most atrocious band tees I’ve ever seen with pride, and I even made an unbelievably embarrassing PowerPoint presentation on the band’s history for a class assignment. I’m pretty sure my obsession with them stemmed from misdirected teenage hormones, which, with me being a DragonForce fan, definitely weren’t being aimed where human biology intended.” Dragonfetish.

Harvestman – Music for Megaliths Review

By Huck N Roll on May 21, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Drone, Neurot Records, Reviews, 8 comments

“Most musicians these days have multiple projects on the go. Whether because of diverse musical influences or the need to try and make a buck in this silly industry, we can expect members of our favorite bands to pop up in all sorts of places. Neurosis’ Steve Von Till is no different, playing in his main band along with solo outings, Tribes of Neurot, and his outdoorsy drone/ambient project, Harvestman.” Enjoy of deep Druid-core.

Morass of Molasses – These Paths We Tread Review

By Akerblogger on May 20, 2017 in 2017, British Metal, HeviSike Records, Reviews, Stoner Metal, 34 comments

“Lust. Greed. Pride. Jealousy. Gluttony. Vengeance. Six emotions that I experience on my daily commute to and from work. What’s better than having a heavy-blues inspired stoner album, shaped by these sordid vices, to accompany me on my soulless journey into this sick and weary world? Hailing from my beloved Blighty, Morass of Molasses thrust sexy, groove-laden shock-waves that send old-biddies reeling, cups of tea a-spilling, rich-tea biccies mushing, and tea doilies dampening.” Sounds of a tea party fading.

Dødsengel – Interequinox Review

By Treble Yell on May 19, 2017 in 2017, Black Metal, Debemur Morti, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, 18 comments

“How much stock do you place in authenticity? Do you opt for subtitles over the dub? Will you only reach for your wallet if a suit was hand stitched by a broom closet-dwelling tailor in Milan? And even if you can’t believe it’s not butter, do you push it aside for the original, anyway? When it comes to music, when one hears the word “Norway” invariably the next words that follow are “black metal” so it may be comforting to know that Dødsengel — with their own brand of svart metall — hails from the land of frost and cod.” For cod and country.