May17

God Dethroned – The World Ablaze Review

By Ferrous Beuller on May 8, 2017 in 2017, Death Metal, Dutch Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Metal Blade, Reviews, Death Metal, Melodic Death Metal, 21 comments

“One of the things I admire most about metal, aside from its obvious ability to inform and compel, is the genre’s inherent capacity for escapism. Flinging itself from that cosmic top turnbuckle, sometimes life descends on us hard. Between a career trajectory that, when I can look at it without wincing, appears disturbingly Escher-like, and some life decisions you’d be forgiven for thinking only a brain aneurysm could inspire, you better believe I don’t say no when a little distraction wanders my way. Enter God Dethroned, Dutch overlords of all things death and war-like, with their first release in seven years.” The Dutch masters…of war.

Akroma – Apocalypse Requiem Review

By El Cuervo on May 8, 2017 in 2017, Black Metal, Death Metal, Fantai'Zic Productions, French Metal, Reviews, Symphonic Metal, Technical Death Metal, Black Metal, Death Metal, Symphonic Metal, Technical Death Metal, 21 comments

“The tying together of metal and classical music can be such a mutually beneficial endeavor. Classical’s range of instruments and diversity of mood with metal’s intensity and rhythmic prowess? A match surely made in Heaven. And yet it’s a match which can so easily become a torrid mismatch.” Heaven or Hell, who can tell?

White Ward – Futility Report Review

By Madam X on May 8, 2017 in 2017, Avante Garde, Black Metal, Debemur Morti, Doom Metal, Post-metal, Reviews, Ukrainian Metal, Black Metal, Post-Metal, 49 comments

“As a fan of the website, a small part of me wishes that DeviantArt had a section dedicated to unorthodox musical talent. Somewhere where “deviants” can let their creative juices flow, sonically applying brush elements, performing nebula manipulation or perhaps adding a little lens flare. In my mind, this would be where I’d expect to find White Ward.” Deviant black jazz hands.

Eruption – Cloaks of Oblivion Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on May 7, 2017 in 2017, Reviews, Slovenian Metal, Thrash Metal, Xtreem Music, Thrash Metal, 29 comments

“Two things come to mind when I see the word ‘eruption.’ One is filthy and the other is raunchy. The former isn’t for virgin eyes and the latter? Van Halen. Guess which one the Slovenian outfit Eruption fits in. Neither. Sorry pervs and, well… pervs. Instead, Eruption fit under a third, yet unlisted category: thrash metal. Yep, I said ‘Slovenian’ and ‘thrash’ in the same sentence. That combination alone should pique some interest for these worshipers of the old and true.” Slovenian speed and perversion.

Slægt – Domus Mysterium Review

By Grymm on May 6, 2017 in 2017, Black Metal, Danish Metal, Death Metal, Reviews, Van Records, Black Metal, Death Metal, 32 comments

“It’s always cool to be introduced to new bands, and watch their progress as their skill set broadens and confidence levels increase with each release. Case in point, Danish black metallers Slægt came out of nowhere last year and impressed the hell out of me with their 4-song EP, Beautiful and Damned. Mixing Dissection’s classically-inspired black metal with heaps of early Dark Tranquillity goodness, Beautiful and Damned left me wanting more.” What just washed up in the surf?

Echotime – Side Review

By Huck N Roll on May 6, 2017 in 2017, Italian Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Rockshots Records, Progressive Metal, 10 comments

“First, a bit about these theatrical Italian progsters. who dare compare themselves to the likes of Dream Theater and Pain of Salvation. Side is the quintet’s second album, a concept album featuring a number of songs tied together via a series of narratives. The concept itself is a bit difficult to understand, but seems to be a series of stories about characters that some woman named Lily knows.” When prog goes Side-ways.

Hate – Tremendum Review

By Eldritch Elitist on May 5, 2017 in 2017, Black Metal, Napalm Records, Polish Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Death Metal, 21 comments

“I typically like to treat albums as self-contained works. Music evolves with the artist; any band will tell you that a given record is a time capsule chronicling a band’s creative impulses at a given point, and that, ideally, it should not be beholden to prior albums. Yet certain works regarded as important transitional pieces may not be appreciated as such until years later.” Does that language worry you?

Voyager – Ghost Mile Review

By Steel Druhm on May 5, 2017 in 2017, Australian Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Progressive Metal, 76 comments

“In the realm of intelligent prog-metal, Voyager has been one of my favorites since 2009s I Am the Revolution. Their ability to blend traditional metal ideas with extraneous elements from death, power and djent always impressed me, but their ear for catchy, tight writing really made them stand out. Nowhere was this more apparent than on 2011s The Meaning of I, which earned a very rare 5.0 rating from yours truly. I still spin that album regularly and marvel at how diverse and addicting it remains 6 years later. I was somewhat let down by followup V, but it was still a solid album in its own right with some remarkable songs. I hoped the band would rebound and release another classic platter of thoughtfully oddball material.” Miles of creativity.

Slagduster – Deadweight Review

By GardensTale on May 5, 2017 in 2017, Canadian Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Waterlow Audio, Groove Metal, Progressive Metal, Sludge, 33 comments

“In the big and scary world of progressive music, fusion jazz is definitely among the most divisive. The heady complexity of the riffs, the drums that jerk back and forth with different tempos and measures and the structural integrity of a house of cards constructed by a madman often invite words like showing off, musical masturbation, or simply wanking.” Jazz hands be wanking.

The Unity – The Unity Review

By Treble Yell on May 4, 2017 in 2017, German Metal, Power Metal, Reviews, SPV, Steamhammer, Melodic Metal, Power Metal, 16 comments

“The Unity know a thing or two about history, two of its members having kicked tires in Gamma Ray for a spell, but the trip down memory that is their self-titled debut goes further than their own stomping grounds and offers an experience akin to a boisterous evening catching up with those legendary veterans. But this isn’t Just Another German Power Metal Band (JÄGPMB), as beneath the glossy Teutonic shell twitches layers of classic acts such as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and – perhaps unsurprisingly – Helloween.” Who wants Jäger bombs?