Nuclear Blast Records

Despised Icon – Beast Review

Despised Icon – Beast Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on July 22, 2016 in 2016, Canadian Metal, Deathcore, Nuclear Blast, Reviews, Deathcore, 49 comments

“The state of deathcore in 2016 isn’t an enviable one. It’s not quite old enough yet to spur on needlessly salty debates about the best MySpace pages, and it’s not fashionable or ubiquitous enough anymore to act as a gateway to further extremity as it once did for so many. Suicide Silence was never that good to begin with, but their records have noticeably declined in quality since their debut. Job for a Cowboy has been a boring modern death metal band since Genesis. All Shall Perish hasn’t released an album since 2011, let alone a good one since 2008; the list goes on. Enter the best-known Canadian deathcore band that’s not Cryptopsy in 2008: Despised Icon.” Deathcore in da house!

Nails – You Will Never Be One of Us Review

Nails – You Will Never Be One of Us Review

By Grymm on June 13, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Grind, Nuclear Blast, Powerviolence, Punk, Reviews, Uncategorized, Powerviolence, Punk, 21 comments

“There’s a lot of hype building up to You Will Never Be One of Us, the third full-length by Southern Californian powerviolence trio Nails. Known for being unrelenting in their seething anger, both 2010’s Unsilent Death and 2013’s cataclysmic Abandon All Life garnered the trio an army of loyal followers, and rightfully so. There’s no fluff, no compromise, and no bullshit when it comes to their militaristic approach.” Powerviolence is a real thing.

Mantar – Ode to the Flame Review

Mantar – Ode to the Flame Review

By Saunders on April 13, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Doom Metal, German Metal, Nuclear Blast, Reviews, Sludge, Black Metal, Doom Metal, Sludge Metal, 20 comments

“German duo Mantar stormed the underground, cracking skulls and galloping to glory with their scorching debut album, Death by Burning in 2014. Fusing raucous black metal with spiteful sludge and doomy slogs, Mantar’s punked-up energy, fuck-the-world attitude and an abundance of primal riffs and gnarly hooks kept me gripped and hungry for more. On the back of the album Mantar deservedly scored a deal with Nuclear Blast for the anticipated release of the all important sophomore album. So with the big wigs behind them, can Mantar deliver on the considerable promise they displayed first time round?” So much buzz!

Soilwork – The Ride Majestic Review

Soilwork – The Ride Majestic Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on August 21, 2015 in 2015, Melodic Death Metal, Nuclear Blast, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Melodic Death Metal, 59 comments

““You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” – Conventional wisdom or Will Rogers, no clear date. “We play melodic death metal with metalcore elements and tons of hooky choruses!” – Soilwork via Stabbing the Drama, 2005. Combining these two quotes explains the position from which I’ll tackle Soilwork’s tenth full-length The Ride Majestic.” When we start quoting Will Rogers, the poo usually hits the oscillation device.

Symphony X – Underworld Review

Symphony X – Underworld Review

By Angry Metal Guy on July 27, 2015 in 2015, American Metal, Heavy Metal, Nuclear Blast, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, 81 comments

“Symphony X is New Jersey’s answer to Yngwie Malmsteen. That’s not just a funny blurb: the more I think about it the more I realize that that’s actually a surprisingly good description of the band. My relationship with the band started in 2000 with the release of the band’s absolutely perfect V: The New Mythology Suite. At the time, I described them to friends as being “Malmsteen—if he could write songs and had a good vocalist.” Since then the band has released some excellent records, but they’ve also taken a turn for the heavier, and edgier, moving further away from the traditional progressive/power wheelhouse and straight-up neocassical stylings. The orchestral approach on V never quite disappeared—they’re a ‘neoclassical’ progressive/power band ffs—but from Paradise Lost on the band’s heavier attitude has continued to develop; embodied by Allen’s full-throated Jersey rasp.” Angry Metal Guy weighs in on Symphony X’s newest release.

Cradle of Filth – Hammer of the Witches Review

Cradle of Filth – Hammer of the Witches Review

By Grymm on July 9, 2015 in 2015, Black Metal, English Metal, Gothic Metal, Nuclear Blast, Reviews, 48 comments

“British goth-metal mainstays Cradle of Filth have had a bumpy ride since the new millennium came about. I’ll admit to checking out after 2000’s Midian, and from what I’ve seen, between members jumping ship en masse, half-inspired songwriting, and bad dance covers, I didn’t really miss much. Sure, I’ll check out the occasional song here and there, but for the most part, Cradle of Filth seemed to lack the ferocity that made the period between 1996’s Vempire EP through Midian such incredible albums.” Is there any real filth left in the olde nursery these days?

Melechesh – Enki Review

Melechesh – Enki Review

By Grymm on March 24, 2015 in 2015, Black Metal, Dutch Metal, Nuclear Blast, Reviews, Thrash Metal, Black Metal, 35 comments

“I am absolutely aware that many of you readers have been waiting with overflowing anticipation for a review of Melechesh’s 6th opus, Enki. And who can blame you? 2010’s The Epigenesis was a solid, heavy, and above all enjoyable slab of Sumerian blackened thrash goodness that not only impressed The Big Boss himself, but also got yours truly to go searching through their back catalog to investigate their music further. So when Angry Metal Guy himself handed Enki off to me last week for review, I was frothing at the bit to deliver the goods to you.” The sandy wind, comes blowing in, across the dunes….