Non-metal Metal Things

Jo Quail – Exsolve [Things You Might Have Missed 2018]

By sentynel on November 28, 2018 in 2018, Black Metal, British Metal, Non-Metal Metal Things, Post-Rock, Reviews, Self-released, Things You Might Have Missed 2018, Atmospheric Black Metal, Non-metal Metal Things, 66 comments

“I love the cello. I don’t think there are any other instruments which offer the tonal range and gorgeous timbre a cello can. I also think it’s criminally underused in heavy music. Apocalyptica demonstrate it can sound metal as hell, yet otherwise it’s mostly limited to a few cameo appearances. This brings me to Jo Quail, experimental cellist, loop pedal wizard, and versatile session musician. Her own back catalog is largely a post-rock/modern classical blend, and after a year in which she’s supported acts like Myrkur, Amenra, Boris, and Winterfylleth, their influence clearly shows on her new record. With her sound evolving towards post-metal and atmospheric black metal, her new album is an interesting development.” Cello, my friends.

To End It All – Scourge of Woman Review

By Lokasenna on October 5, 2018 in 2018, American Metal, Avante Garde, Noise, Non-Metal Metal Things, Reviews, Scry Recordings, Noise, Non-metal Metal Things, 87 comments

“To End It All’s debut, Scourge of Woman, is a monument to noise, anguish and righteous, burning rage; abrasive and chaotic, yet subtle and restrained, defiantly refusing to coddle the listener.” Noise and art.

Manes – Slow Motion Death Sequence Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on August 23, 2018 in 2018, Avante Garde, Debemur Morti, Electronica Metal, Non-Metal Metal Things, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Electronica Metal, Non-metal Metal Things, 70 comments

“The first time I heard the Norwegian oddity known as Manes, I was in grad school. That fateful day, I was grading organic chemistry exams, locked away in that windowless closet of a grading room. With hours of work ahead of me, I took the time to find some new music to ease the pain. After getting caught in the rabbit’s hole of ‘similar artists’ and the ‘who-played-with-who’ links of Metal Archives, I emerged with Manes. And, I figured, this oughta do.” Music for destroying futures.

Kontinuum – No Need to Reason Review

By Huck N Roll on July 15, 2018 in 2018, Avante Garde, Icelandic Metal, Lifeforce Records, Non-Metal Metal Things, Reviews, Avante Garde, Non-metal Metal Things, 44 comments

“Last month, one of our ~~devoted thralls~~ loyal readers was bemoaning the fact that we haven’t used the “Non-Metal Metal Things” tag in a while. Well, here you go, courtesy of dark Icelandic rockers (and Madam X favorites) Kontinuum. Why is the Huckster reviewing this album instead of Madam X?” Icelandic mystery.

Poly-Math – House of Wisdom | We are the Devil Review

By Kronos on April 23, 2018 in 2018, British Metal, Lonely Voyage Records, Not Metal, Post-Rock, Progressive Rock, Reviews, Non-metal Metal Things, Progressive Rock, 36 comments

“With the recent reunion of At the Drive-In, hopes have never been higher for a rekindling of the fire under the asses of Omar Rodríguez-López and Cedric Bixler-Zavala – a fire which produced the best prog rock albums of the 2000s. And given the rate at which Rodríguez-López currently produces LPs (about one a month for the past two years), it might not be long before there’s a new The Mars Volta album collecting saliva on turntables everywhere. But that doesn’t mean substitutes aren’t welcome.” We take whats we can gets.

Sammal – Suuliekki Review

By Treble Yell on March 10, 2018 in 2018, Finnish Metal, Folk, Non-Metal Metal Things, Progressive Rock, Reviews, Svart Records, Folk, Non-metal Metal Things, 49 comments

“I have been covered in filth lately. Dragged through a mire of pestilence, I have sampled fruit irrigated by the grotesque and profane. Blast-beats that scorch the earth, inchoate riffs fat with torment and wretched vocals fit only for withering a pleasant disposition. Black metal, death metal, doom, grind and thrash. I’m a mess and I need to divest myself of the depravity that’s accumulated over the months. A panacea is in order, something that can wash away the silt and leave me lighter, fresher. To that end I have chosen to bathe in the antiseptic waters of Suuliekki, the new album by Finland’s Sammal.” Scrub-a-dub-dub.

Me and That Man – Songs of Love and Death [Things You Might Have Missed 2017]

By Madam X on January 4, 2018 in 2017, Alt-Metal, British Metal, Cooking Vinyl, Folk Metal, Hard Rock, Non-Metal Metal Things, Polish Metal, Things You MIght Have Missed 2017, Alt-Metal, Folk Metal, Hard Rock, Non-metal Metal Things, 56 comments

It always struck me as curious, that Nergal didn’t branch out with any other such notable side-projects. 2016 came and went, and with it Nergal’s single-minded dedication to Behemoth. But in 2017, his Me and That Man project saw fit to release Songs of Love and Death.” A very special episode of Nergal and the Man.

Priest – New Flesh Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on November 28, 2017 in 2017, Non-Metal Metal Things, Not Metal, Reviews, Electronica, Non-metal Metal Things, Not Metal, 86 comments

“I rate low and hate high, I’m always unpleased and unsatisfied, and I have the tendency to review shit that no one wants. You know, like Fozzy and Wintersun. And you know the worst part about it? No matter how bad or ugly it gets, I hate to admit I kinda enjoy it. But, who in their right mind would grab the debut record from Priest—a band consisting of ex-Ghosts and as far back in leftfield as one can get? But, like that other Swedish band, they’re about as retro ’80s as it gets. It’s just that they play… ummm… synth-pop…” Somebody got your Ghost?

Siinai – Sykli Review

By Huck N Roll on October 31, 2017 in 2017, Ambient Metal, Finnish Metal, Instrumental Metal, Non-Metal Metal Things, Reviews, Svart Records, Ambient Metal, Instrumental Metal, Non-metal Metal Things, 37 comments

“One of the best quotes of the year comes from the promo blurb for Siinai’s new album, Sykli: “…this album burst out of us, like when a ketchup bottle loses its cap when you are violently shaking it.” This from a band that in the past has also released an instrumental concept album about supermarkets.Yes, Siinai are a strange Finnish act that do odd things. This album’s concept isn’t as weird as “music to shop to.” Instead, Skyli professes to be about the cyclical nature of life. Considering that this is an instrumental album, figuring out how well it conveys a concept can be tough, but that’s why we get the big bucks, right?” Clean up in aisle Life.

Biblical – The City That Always Sleeps Review

By Huck N Roll on September 29, 2017 in 2017, Canadian Metal, Non-Metal Metal Things, Not Metal, Psychedelic Rock, Reviews, Tee Pee Records, Non-metal Metal Things, Not Metal, 24 comments

“I spent the summer searching and searching for the next great retro album. I never found it. In fact, all year I’ve only found a half-dozen albums I’ve really liked (as in a 3.5 or higher), and none of those since June. That’s piss-poor and depressing. It’s like owning a black and white television. Well, I’m hoping to upgrade to a color TV eventually this year, so what better time to start looking than right now?” Baby bible steps.