“We’ve discussed revivals before, and tributes aplenty. Just look at Sweven’s Morbus Chron tribute–kind of a bit of both, and to mixed reactions. The list goes on: Black Sabbath and Heaven and Hell; Immortal and Abbath. Musicians looking to revive an old project under a new name must tread lightly, as we don’t want Morbus Chron 2.0, for example, but something that acknowledges the past while taking a fresh step forward. Today’s topic of discussion, New York’s Winter, a relatively quiet 90’s death metal act that nevertheless influenced the development of the death/doom niche with its murky and sprawling tunes.” Winter is coming back.
May20
Holden – Ursa Minor Review
“As I’ve adjusted to 24-7 confinement with a toddler who needs constant help staying alive and a half acre property sorely in need of spring yard work, I’ve taken a little break from the AMG salt mines. It probably would have lasted longer, but the editors presented a seemingly unprecedented opportunity to review one of my fellow writers, and I’ve got a lot to say on the subject of Holden. As part of the same n00b class, I’ve had front row seats to the man, the myth, the overrating bastard, and I’ve got some bones to pick.” Holden grudges.
Green Carnation – Leaves of Yesteryear Review
“Though I’ve known these guys for damn-near twenty years, Leaves of Yesteryear is not what I expected. I guess I don’t know what I expected, but this isn’t it. Gone is the rocking character of A Blessing in Disguise and The Quiet Offspring. Gone is the absolute darkness of Journey and Light.” Flower power.
Psy:code – Persona Review
“Last year saw the first industrial record that I genuinely loved by Ascend the Hollow, and since then I’ve wondered why nobody else could seem to put together anything remotely as adventurous as that.” I can think of one reason.
Æther Realm – Redneck Vikings from Hell Review
“On paper, Æther Realm remain a trendy mix of folk and melodic death metal. In practice though, Redneck Vikings from Hell is unlike anything the North Carolinians have ever produced.” Change in changing times.
Alkymist – Sanctuary Review
“Alkymist are here to enhance their own maturation of the progressive metal medium, imbuing a curious genre-bending identity to the extreme metal pot. Dragur are the undead – icy, chaotic, magical creatures risen from the dead to live a second life. They are the malevolence of alchemy and at the heart of this record. Sanctuary – Alkymist’s second full-length – is the sound of humanity in refuge, fighting against the twisted world of alchemy’s waste.” Magic against mankind.
Vader – Solitude in Madness Review
“Vader’s legendary status has been built on the bones of poseurs, past and present, and nothing about Solitude in Madness attempts to change that. This is a record borne aloft on the forge-winds of molten bullet belts. “Shock and Awe” does its talking with two firmly clenched fists.” Wading Vader.
Shatter Brain – Pitchfork Justice Review
“When I saw the eye-catching cover for Shatter Brain’s debut full-length, Pitchfork Justice, I immediately assumed they were a thrash band. I was about 1/8th right, as this Australian act mixes sludge, grind, death and punk with speed for what can only be described as an unruly and boisterous sound. Pitchfork Justice is an album that wants to be many things, sometimes all at the same time, and this leads to some interesting moments to be sure.” The mob is revolting.
Witchcraft – Black Metal Review
“Magnus Pelander, the sole remaining founding member of Witchcraft, takes the reins on Black Metal, seemingly completely. There is his voice, and there is soft plucking on an acoustic guitar, and these two sounds comprise almost the entirety of the Black Metal sound. It sounds very different than the Witchcraft usual — certainly, it stands completely apart from Legend and Nucleus.” One man, one guitar.
An Autumn for Crippled Children – All Fell Silent, Everything Went Quiet Review
“The progression of 4 years and a few skipped releases yields a form of AAfCC which is even more indebted to The Cure than I remember their old form being. They were hardly a band which was ever thoroughbred black metal but their transformation into a truly genre-blending smoothie must now be nearing completion.” It’s all in the blend.