May22

Pure Reason Revolution – Above Cirrus Review

Pure Reason Revolution – Above Cirrus Review

By Huck N Roll on May 13, 2022 in Reviews, Progressive Rock, 19 comments

“It’s great to see a new album from Pure Reason Revolution just two years after their last, the up-and-down, nearly-amazing Eupnea. We were also gifted with a reissue of their brilliant The Dark Third back in 2020, so they’ve kept some momentum going upon their return from their 2011 hiatus. Now Jon Courtney and Chloë Alper return with a fresh album and one more band member – Greg Jong, who was in the band until prior to the release of The Dark Third way back in ’06. Above Cirrus is therefore this version of PRR’s first release.” Bear market.

This Is Oblivion – This Is Oblivion Review

This Is Oblivion – This Is Oblivion Review

By Dear Hollow on May 12, 2022 in Reviews, Dark Neofolk, Doom Metal, Neofolk, 24 comments

“This Is Oblivion is a duo consisting of New York-based vocalist/violinist Lulu Black and her partner The Number Twelve Looks Like You / So Hideous drummer Michael Kadnar, taking influence from acts like Chelsea Wolfe, Swans, and Body Void in a Gothic blend of industrial noise and neofolk, accomplished through minimalist instrumentation. Relying on repetitive melody, doom percussion, and Black’s accomplished and varied vocal performance, This Is Oblivion is greater than the sum of its parts in its emphasis on evocation, ritualism, and summoning.” Enjoy of deep Oblivion.

Vital Spirit – Still As the Night, Cold As the Wind Review

Vital Spirit – Still As the Night, Cold As the Wind Review

By Cherd on May 11, 2022 in Reviews, Black Metal, 84 comments

“Back in 2020, around the time Wayfarer were turning heads with their black metal of the Old West on A Romance With Violence, I discovered an EP seemingly out of nowhere by a Canadian two piece who, in my humble opinion, one-upped that admittedly good album. From the Navajo sand painting cover art to the Ennio Morricone spaghetti western passages to the lyrical focus on pre-colonial Americas, Vital Spirit threw their hat into that incredibly small ring with their Coloradan brethren with In The Faith That Looks Through Death. Consisting of Kyle Tavares and Israel Langlais, both of crusty meloblack band and AMG darlings Wormwitch, Vital Spirit continue their self described “saccharine black metal of the West” on their debut full-length Still as the Night, Cold as the Wind.” Black is the new spaghetti.

Cavernlight – As I Cast Ruin Upon the Lens That Reveals My Every Flaw Review

Cavernlight – As I Cast Ruin Upon the Lens That Reveals My Every Flaw Review

By Thus Spoke on May 10, 2022 in Reviews, Doom Metal, Post-Metal, Sludge Metal, 45 comments

“As spring progresses, the ever-more-present sun brings light and warmth, for some even a promise of hope. Cavernlight throw scorn on the very idea. As I Cast Ruin Upon the Lens That Reveals My Every Flaw follows their habit of epically proportioned titles. It also continues the trend of dealing with existential suffering and despair. Where it differs is in the way it delivers its message. As We Cup Our Hands and Drink from the Stream of Our Ache was a relentless rhapsody of torment, railing and raging with metallic furor. As I Cast Ruin… feels like a step beyond this rawness, to a deep, depressive apathy and acceptance.” The end of light and hope.

Demiricous – Chaotic Lethal Review

Demiricous – Chaotic Lethal Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on May 10, 2022 in Reviews, Death Metal, Thrash Metal, 42 comments

“When you listen to Demiricous’ first two records, they clearly didn’t know what sound, style, or production they wanted. One is more At the Gatesy and relatively dynamic in the mix. The other is a Hatesphere punishment that makes your ears scream in pain. Back in the saddle, Demiricous has brought all their death/thrash influences together on Chaotic Lethal.” Chaotic good or chaotic bad?

Wo Fat – The Singularity Review

Wo Fat – The Singularity Review

By Huck N Roll on May 9, 2022 in Reviews, Doom Metal, Psychedelic Rock, Stoner Rock, 22 comments

“Wo Fat and I go back a long ways. Some trivia for you before we dig in: my first ever Angry Metal Guy review was written in May of 2016, for the band’s Midnight Cometh album. But, dear readers, I hear you saying “Huckster, we never saw said review.” This is true. By the time Steel Druhm and myself sorted things out, my fully-edited review was a few weeks too late to post. It probably sucked as well, but the album didn’t. It isn’t possible for these guys to suck, to be honest. And now here we are, six years to the month later, and I can finally review a Wo Fat album for you.” Wo to you of earth and sea.

Strange Horizon – Beyond the Strange Horizon Review

Strange Horizon – Beyond the Strange Horizon Review

By Steel Druhm on May 8, 2022 in Reviews, Doom Metal, 38 comments

“As a child of the 80s metal scene, I grew to statuesque manhood marinating in the sounds of Pentagram and Saint Vitus. Those 80s doom titans are still near and dear to me and any act that tries to recapture the sound of that era has me as an ally. Norway’s Strange Horizon are one such band, striving to recapture that classic doom magic on debut Beyond the Strange Horizon.” Dawn of the doom.

Haunter – Discarnate Ails Review

Haunter – Discarnate Ails Review

By Maddog on May 7, 2022 in Reviews, Black Metal, Death Metal, 24 comments

“I first heard of San Antonio’s Haunter during my brief stint in the Discord server. The discordant blackened death of 2019’s Sacramental Death Qualia caught my ears immediately. It struck the difficult balance of exploring tortuous harmonies and building an unsettling atmosphere while keeping me rapt. Dissonance tends to alienate me more often than it attracts me, but Haunter occupies a thin middle ground of bands like Ulcerate and Sunless that inject a digestible dose of dissonance while still supplying compelling melodies to latch onto.” Haunting the Alamo.