Melodic Metal

Metalite – Expedition One Review

By Iceberg on January 30, 2024 in Reviews, Melodic Metal, Power Metal, 87 comments

“”Modern melodic metal” is a term that wants to say a lot, but in reality conveys very little. More often than not this is a thin disguise for “pop-oriented,” and such is the case before us today. Formed in 2015 and with three previous LP’s under their belt, Sweden’s Metalite seem to have flown under the radar here at AMG HQ. This could be due to an omnipresent dairy allergy circling The Skullpit™, or the aforementioned genre tag provided by the band’s label.” In space no one can hear you be mellow.

The Howling Void – Into Darkness Ever More Profound [Things You Might Have Missed 2023]

By Itchymenace on January 5, 2024 in Things You Might Have Missed 2023, Doom Metal, Funeral Doom, Melodic Metal, 27 comments

“The Howling Void is a one-man project from San Antonio Texas. Into Darkness Ever More Profound is their seventh album and first in four years. I haven’t delved deeply into the rest of the catalog, but the prevailing sound is atmospheric funeral doom. There are flirtations with more folksy elements and instrumentation, but the vibe is always slow and introspective.” Rage against the Void.

Death’s-Head and the Space Allusion – LUC-II-FARUL Review

By Mystikus Hugebeard on November 17, 2023 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, Melodic Metal, 23 comments

As I surfed the AMG promo wave, Finland’s Death’s-Head and the Space Allusion (DHATSA) caught my eye. It was the attached “Modern Melodic Metal” tag that made me curious. It’s the kind of descriptor that lacks substance since the terms “modern” and “melodic” are often thrown around to the point of meaninglessness. I found myself almost instantly assuming the music would be trite and overproduced. I’d wager that some of you reading this did as well. But in truth, that’s hardly fair to DHATSA.” In space no one can hear your Death Head.

Tardigrade Inferno – Burn the Circus Review

By Kenstrosity on October 10, 2023 in Reviews, Cabaret Metal, Melodic Metal, 68 comments

“On the ranking of Things Ken Doesn’t Like™, circus music once lived just beneath the throne. For whatever reason, cabaret in all its forms annoyed me to no end, even in its natural environment. Why, then, do I find myself continually obsessed with Russian/Australian cabaret metal clowns Tardigrade Inferno and their particularly crunchy, creepy, crazed take on the cirque de métal?” Ten clowns, three rings,

Sinheresy – Event Horizon Review

By Dolphin Whisperer on August 30, 2023 in Reviews, Melodic Metal, Power Metal, Symphonic Metal, 31 comments

“I know what you’re thinking. That cover, those outfits, the absolutely killer orange-tinted glasses—they must be Italian. And it’s-a true, the members of Sinheresy hail from Trieste, which technically, in its annexed sliver, flies il Tricolore all the same. Also technically, Sinheresy plays metal, albeit in a variety that resembles the anthemic sympho-ish bounce of Olzon-era Nightwish smattered about with Björiffs to provide a kind of glossy crust.” Sinners bleed orange.

Borealis – Illusions Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on October 13, 2022 in Reviews, Melodic Metal, Power Metal, 78 comments

“With the stunning, back-to-back releases of Fall From Grace and Purgatory, it isn’t easy to imagine the band could ever top them. So, when 2018’s The Offering surfaced, I knew the very thing I feared had come true. The passion so instrumental to the band’s success felt zapped from the songwriting. And, where it was weakest, the orchestration was heaviest—as if trying to hide the lack of emotion found in previous releases. As I said in my review of The Offering, it’s still a strong enough album to revisit and enjoy. But something was missing. This year’s Illusions is a sequel to The Offering’s story. But will it be a sequel to that album’s struggling delivery?” Fire in the sky, bombast in the pie.

Parasite Inc. – Cyan Night Dreams Review

By Kenstrosity on August 16, 2022 in Reviews, Melodic Death Metal, Melodic Metal, 12 comments

“Parasite Inc. is one of those bands that I want to fall deeply in love with, but I have no idea why anymore. This inexplicable yearning for that special spark with this German quartet no doubt owes its existence partially to the group’s super-fun debut, Time Tears Down. Since then, Parasite Inc. rapidly declined into cheesy, stale melodic metal that made me cringe more often than not. I had hoped that Cyan Night Dreams, the band’s third full length, might be the start of their redemption arc.” Hopes and dreams (and parasites).

Bloodywood – Rakshak Review

By Kenstrosity on February 16, 2022 in Reviews, Deathcore, Folk Metal, Groove Metal, Melodic Metal, Nu Metal, 85 comments

“Bloodywood’s approach to metal is, on the surface, similar to Linkin Park’s in that they often combine rapped verses with sung choruses—utilizing both English and Hindi lyrics—backed by gym-ready riffs reminiscent of Hacktivist, We Butter the Bread with Butter, and even Dyscarnate. Look beneath those superficialities and you find a ton of cool Indian folk instrumentation playing along, particularly weighted towards woodwinds and festive drums.” The Rock Shack is now open.

In Mourning – The Bleeding Veil Review

By Kenstrosity on November 27, 2021 in Reviews, Death Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Melodic Metal, Post-Metal, 53 comments

“Of all the melodic death metal bands that live in the eternal shadow of gloom, the only act I consistently return to is In Mourning. For one reason or another, this band’s particular blend of crooning introspection and deceptive heft resonates with me. From the inimitable Monolith to the career resurgence of Garden of Storms, the Swedes kicked out quality melodic death metal, slowly but smoothly integrating bits of black metal and post-metal into their formula as they matured. In 2021, sixth installment The Bleeding Veil ushers in a new hot streak for the group.” Mourning hasn’t broken.

Stuck in the Filter – June’s Angry Misses

By Kenstrosity on July 8, 2021 in Blog Posts, Stuck in the Filter, Death Metal, Melodic Metal, Metalcore, Nu Metal, Progressive Metal, Rap Metal, Thrash Metal, 47 comments

“So here’s a segment you all likely are too young to remember/never thought you’d see again. And it comes from the most unlikely source to boot—me! I discovered this feature through one of our monthly staff review calls/execution ceremonies, and I thought it was a shame we don’t use it more often. This comes on the back of a month where many of us were swamped with life events, massive overtime at work, and other such stressors. Naturally, we missed a bunch of releases, both ones we received promo for and ones we didn’t.” No filter!