Nightwish

Eleine – Dancing in Hell Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on December 3, 2020 in Reviews, Symphonic Metal, 57 comments

“Symphonic and power/symphonic metal are so hit-or-miss. Even when it comes to a couple of my favorites, I can love one release and loathe the next. That’s even when the most astute listener thinks the albums sound the same. It has to be the perfect balance of elements to catch my attention and keep me coming back for repeat listens. And, other times, I have to be in the right headspace. When I first heard Eleine’s new opus, Dancing in Hell, almost all those elements came together.” Hell is a dance-off.

Leaves’ Eyes – The Last Viking Review

By Twelve on October 19, 2020 in Reviews, Symphonic Metal, 35 comments

“Leaves’ Eyes is a band I hear about plenty, but whose music I seldom actually hear. A few samples here and there, a sliver of news-worthy drama over there, a conversation once in a while — that’s it. So it’s a bit odd that I wound up with the responsibility of reviewing their latest output, The Last Viking, but then, sometimes not knowing about band-land drama is good for the weary reviewer.” Eyes Fatigue.

Almanac – A Discographic Review [Tsar (2016), Kingslayer (2017) and Rush of Death (2020)]

By Angry Metal Guy on August 25, 2020 in Reviews, Power Metal, Symphonic Metal, Thrash Metal, 36 comments

“For the last four years, I have been neglecting—and you have been denied my Very Important Opinion™ about—one of the most idiosyncratic voices in metal: Victor Smolski. And so, in a Swallow the Sun-sized act of hubris, I’m writing a discographic review of Victor Smolski’s Almanac.” You can’t spell “Almanac” without MAN!

Unleash the Archers – Abyss Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on August 21, 2020 in Reviews, Power Metal, 126 comments

“Though Unleash the Archers remains the goofy power metal band they’ve always been, Apex was a serious release. Lyrics, story, songwriting—Apex captured the band at their absolute best. Abyss: ‘A deep and seemingly bottomless pit.’ So, a pit, no matter its depth, so scary and hopeless that you wouldn’t follow a hit baseball down it. To follow-up an album called Apex with one called Abyss may be the most condemning thing yet. Is it clever or is the shortest distance between the summit and a hole in the ground straight down?” Highs and lows.

Damnation Angels – Fiber of Our Being Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on August 4, 2020 in Reviews, Power Metal, Symphonic Metal, 28 comments

“Will things ever return to normal? And, if they do, what will ‘normal’ look like? Sometimes it takes every fiber in my body not to lash and scream out at this stupid fucking world. Though the homeless are multiplying outside my bedroom window and even the friendliest people I know look broken down, everything’s fine. So fine. If the apocalypse is truly upon us, it’s fitting that the Damnation Angels will guide us to the flames. So, forward march. Let’s enjoy this new hell with every Fiber of Our Being.” Morale fiber.

U.D.O. / Musikkorps der Bundeswehr – We Are One Review

By Steel Druhm on July 14, 2020 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, 58 comments

“If you made a short list of metal luminaries who you’d want to record a massive concept album with a 60 piece orchestra, I have a sneaking suspicion Udo Dirkschneider wouldn’t make the cut. To be blunt, I doubt the raspy-voiced Teutonic terror would make the long list either, yet here we are. You see, the man who once fronted Accept has somehow impressed the Concert Band for the German Armed Forces (Musikkorps der Bundeswehr) into service for a collaboration titled We Are One.” Hot Tuba.

The Lightbringer – From The Void To Existence EP Review

By Dear Hollow on July 13, 2020 in Reviews, Black Metal, Doom Metal, Gothic Metal, Power Metal, 23 comments

“From The Void To Existence, like Devil With No Name’s self-titled, is a conniving little EP that snuck through our Jericho-esque walls to fraternize with the big boys. It also manages to offend two camps in its blend of black metal and power metal: a commute, if you will, between the Realm of Obscurely Kvlt Black Metal and the Vault of Powery Cheese,” Power black attack.

Moonlight Haze – Lunaris Review

By Dear Hollow on June 10, 2020 in Reviews, Folk Metal, Power Metal, Thrash Metal, 45 comments

“Angry Metal Guy’s latest n00b interrupts your regularly scheduled black metal to bring the ultimate question: is power metal metal? “It has the word metal in it, so of course it is, you babbling bumbling baboon,” you say. I get it, and it’s been proven again and again, but while various facets of the metalverse have to justify why they’re not rock, power metal is one of the only styles that must justify why it’s not pop.” Justify our love.

Turmion Kätilöt – Global Warning Review

By GardensTale on April 17, 2020 in 2020, Finnish Metal, Industrial Metal, Nuclear Blast, Reviews, Industrial Metal, 54 comments

“WOW that’s a uniquely tasteless sort of cover, isn’t it? It’s as if industrial Finns Turmion Kätilöt felt the need to be seen after getting signed by Nuclear Blast, and figured that bad publicity is good publicity. Well, the cover stands out alright, just in the worst way. Let’s hope the music is better.” Naked launch.

Fallen Arise – Enigma Review

By Kenstrosity on April 6, 2020 in 2020, Greek Metal, Reviews, Rock of Angels Records, Symphonic Metal, Symphonic Metal, 42 comments

“If a sonic description of Greece’s Fallen Arise you require, too bad. The genre has been so deeply saturated since 1998-9’s Oceanborn that if you, dear readers, don’t know what you’re about to hear right now, it’s your own fault.” No enigmas here.