Metal Blade Records

Goatwhore – Vengeful Ascension Review

Goatwhore – Vengeful Ascension Review

By Saunders on June 23, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Black Metal, Death Metal, Metal Blade, Reviews, Sludge, Southern Metal, Black Metal, Death Metal, Sludge, Southern Metal, 15 comments

“Some 20 years ago, several prominent NOLA scene members activated Goatwhore and a new beast and underground supergroup was born, most notably featuring Acid Bath/Crowbar axeslinger Sammy Duet and Soilent Green frontman Ben Falgoust. It took a while before Goatwhore perfected their blasphemous style of sludgy, death-infused black metal, striking pay-dirt with the back-to-back punch of 2006’s A Haunting Curse and 2009’s Carving Out the Eyes of God. Since then they’ve been treading water with a couple of solid but less engaging albums, lacking the staying power of their best work.” Goats are excellent swimmers.

Tombs – The Grand Annihilation Review

Tombs – The Grand Annihilation Review

By Grymm on June 16, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Black Metal, Metal Blade, Post-metal, Reviews, 22 comments

“Three years ago, New York’s Tombs dropped an impressive album in the form of Savage Gold, a seamless meld of post-rock heaviness, Gothic sensibilities, and blackened ichor that yours truly enjoyed tremendously. Since then, guitarist/vocalist/mainman Mike Hill presided over a change of labels and personnel, adding vocalist and synth player Fade Kainer (ex-Batillus), drummer Charlie Schmid (Vaura, Gospel of the Witches) and guitarist Evan Void (Hivelords) to the fold. One thing Hill promises with each Tombs release is to expect the unexpected. With The Grand Annihilation dawning, has Hill found the winning recipe, that sweet spot of blackened Gothic perfection?” Reinventing the tomb.

Entrails – World Inferno Review

Entrails – World Inferno Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on June 15, 2017 in 2017, Death Metal, Metal Blade, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Death Metal, 30 comments

“Does anyone passionately have a favorite Entrails record? This question has animated this review, and I think the answer is “no” in a meaningful sense. People can, and probably do, like one Entrails record better than the others, but I get the feeling that the reasons are a lot more arbitrary than the ones behind the decision about which Morbid Angel record is the best one.” Death takes guts.

Igorrr – Savage Sinusoid Review

Igorrr – Savage Sinusoid Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on June 13, 2017 in 2017, Avante Garde, French Metal, Metal Blade, Non-Metal Metal Things, Reviews, Avante Garde, Non-metal Metal Things, 61 comments

“It’s been a strange couple months for grumpy ole Grier. I’ve reviewed everything from cowpunk to Swedish black metal to non-metal/metal avant-garde to captivating power/melodeath. But, for all the ups-and-downs that come with this crazy rollercoaster ride, never am I more brain-fucked as when a new Igorrr record arrives in my inbox.” Putting the fist in fistula.

DragonForce – Reaching into Infinity Review

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.

Below – Upon a Pale Horse Review

Below – Upon a Pale Horse Review

By Steel Druhm on May 16, 2017 in 2017, Doom Metal, Epic Metal, Heavy Metal, Metal Blade, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Doom Metal, Heavy Metal, 61 comments

“Being the traditional kind of guy I am, if you were to tell me there was a band taking the very best parts of vintage Candlemass and Tad Morose and expertly welding them together, you would have my undivided attention. Below is that act, and Upon a Pale Horse is their second opus of epic doom mixed with classic/traditional metal. Mystery abounds as to how we whiffed on their 2014 debut, Across the Dark River, but we did and it was a mistake we won’t be making again.” Good things come on pale horses.

April Releases You Might Overlook But Shouldn’t: Fates Warning / Steve Grimmett

April Releases You Might Overlook But Shouldn’t: Fates Warning / Steve Grimmett

By Steel Druhm on April 29, 2017 in 2017, Andorran Metal, Blog Posts, Dissonance Productions, English Metal, Heavy Metal, Metal Blade, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, 44 comments

“Every now and then a release comes along that deserves attention but for various reasons, a full blown review isn’t in the cards. Since two April releases fit that bill, we’re doing this rare and unusual music alert for the more discerning metal mavens (i.e. people with the good taste to share our tastes).” Things you haven’t missed …yet!

Cut Up – Wherever They May Rot Review

Cut Up – Wherever They May Rot Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on April 5, 2017 in 2017, Death Metal, Metal Blade, Reviews, Swedish Metal, 12 comments

“Workmanlike is an adjective we can use to describe a whole host of things, some good and some bad. On the flip side Cut Up represent its positive usage well. When I say that Wherever They May Rot, the follow-up to their well-received debut Forensic Nightmares, is a very workmanlike record, then, it’s most assuredly a compliment.” Death is a dirty job.