Nov16

Esben and the Witch – Older Terrors Review

By Steel Druhm on November 4, 2016 in 2016, English Metal, Gothic Metal, Non-Metal Metal Things, Reviews, Season of Mist, 31 comments

“I’m not alone among the AMG staff in having fallen hard for The Gathering’s career defining Mandylion release back in 95. That platter combined elements of doom and goth rock in a way that had never been done before and created something haunting, sad and achingly beautiful. The band quickly drifted toward more commercial waters, and many (myself included) were left hungering for more of what Mandylion delivered. Perhaps that’s why my ears pricked up when I heard a snippet of the Older Terrors promo from hitherto unknown by me English three-piece, Esben and the Witch.” Oh, Mandy, you came and you found me an Esben….

Hammerfall – Built to Last Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on November 3, 2016 in 2016, Napalm Records, Power Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Power Metal, 33 comments

“Sometimes I wish AMG released audio reviews. If we did, the first thirty seconds of my review of Hammerfall’s Built to Last would be uncontrollable laughter. I mean, for fuck’s sake, they have a song called the ‘Twilight Princess.’ But, for all the laughter and poking fun I can have with Built to Last, Hammerfall have never let me down. Maybe it’s because I don’t expect that much from them, I have never taken them too seriously, and they have been pretty damn consistent for over twenty years.” BEWARE: Falling hammers.

Saor – Guardians Review

By El Cuervo on October 31, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Folk Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Northern Silence Productions, Reviews, Scottish Metal, Black Metal, Folk Metal, 62 comments

“As an unpatriotic Englishman, it’s not an issue for me to love Saor. From North of the border, Andy Marshall’s evocative vessel for Scottish pride and history hasn’t yet failed to impress, from Roots to Aura and now on to Guardians.” Feel the kilt!

Dark Tranquillity – Atoma Review

By Steel Druhm on October 28, 2016 in 2016, Century Media, Melodic Death Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Melodic Death Metal, 77 comments

“Whenever a new Dark Tranquillity album drops, it causes me to reflect on the state of the Gothenburg sound. Despite lesser albums like We Are the Void and Construct, it’s abundantly clear Dark Tranquillity reaped the most benefit from the stylistic tontine they established with In Flames and At the Gates back in 1992. Their particular take on melo-death has aged like a fine vintage while others have become little more than hobo wine. That great gulf is even more stark when Dark Tranquillity crafts a masterful release like Atoma.” Enter the Atoma Age.

Civil War – The Last Full Measure Review

By Dr. Wvrm on October 27, 2016 in 2016, Heavy Metal, Napalm Records, Power Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, 35 comments

Copycatting is behavior generally reserved for little twerps on a mulch-surfaced playground at recess (and only slightly less annoying than asking “Why?” non-stop). Imitation naturally extends to metal as well, though it typically has to transcend influence and homage into rank apery before bands get a strike against them. Even blatant mimicry can earn a […]