Oct17

Night Viper – Exterminator Review

By Eldritch Elitist on October 29, 2017 in 2017, Heavy Metal, Listenable Records, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Heavy Metal, Thrash Metal, 17 comments

“Somewhere in an alternate universe exists a blog dubbed “Happy Metal Guy” which exclusively runs reviews of throwback traditional metal albums. This must be true, because enough records of this sort make their way into our promo bay – where the majority are subsequently ignored – to make such a website a reality. I think so many of these records are glossed over by AMG staff because, by their very nature, innovation is the least of their priorities, and most aren’t solid enough to make up for the lack of originality.” Escape from Dimension HMG.

The Hate Colony – Ascending Review

By Dr. Wvrm on October 29, 2017 in 2017, Melodic Death Metal, Metalcore, Mighty Music, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Melodic Death Metal, Metalcore, 28 comments

“When my first exposure to The Hate Colony’s debut Dead or Victorious elicited thoughts of a Lamb of God-turned-metalcore, the title of their new album made much more sense. Ascending? “Descending?” Right? Wrong. The Norwegians dropped that shit the second they got their hands on a Soilwork CD. With grooves suddenly sporting melodic textures, 2014’s Navigate offered an alternate take on metalcore, one with some halfway decent ideas buried under all the bleeding knuckles and douchey band pictures.” Post-colonial bad blood.

Evertale – The Great Brotherwar Review

By Swordborn on October 28, 2017 in 2017, German Metal, NoiseArt Records, Power Metal, Reviews, Power Metal, 54 comments

“In 2013, a young German band by the unassuming name of Evertale took the power metal world by storm with an independently-released firestorm of a fantasy power metal debut in Of Dragons And Elves. The band was hurriedly signed to NoiseArt Records and the album re-released, much to the relief of international fans. It’s been nearly a four-year wait, but a follow-up in the German’s signature power metal style is finally here.” Roll out the Orc barrel.

I Klatus – Nagual Sun Review

By Huck N Roll on October 28, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Doom Metal, Psychedelic Rock, Reviews, Self-released, Sludge, Doom Metal, Psychedelic Rock, Sludge, 23 comments

“Never judge a book by its cover – unless that book is Nagual Sun, by outre Chicago band I Klatus. Because this album cover perfectly matches the oddities within. The brainchild of visual artist/guitarist/growler Tom Denney, at its best the music on Nagual Sun borders on sludgy, hard-charging post-metal like Neurosis on acid: at worst, it’s a cacophonous mess of fragmented ideas (just like that artwork, which honestly looks like Denney spent about two minutes in Photoshop. Some of our loyal readers do better copy/paste work than that, and I certainly hope to see some variations on the cover in the comments below).” Photoshop-core.

Sicarius – Serenade of Slitting Throats Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on October 27, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Black Metal, M-Theory Audio, Melodic Black Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Melodic Black Metal, 72 comments

“One of my top modern bands is Anaal Nathrakh, and seeing that instrumentalist Mick Kenney produced the debut of Californian black metal band Sicarius’, charmingly called Serenade of Slitting Throats, got me intrigued. When I started listening, that rush of excitement hit once again; now this is a band worth watching.” Benicio del Toro approved.

GWAR – The Blood of Gods Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on October 27, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Heavy Metal, Metal Blade, Reviews, Heavy Metal, 58 comments

“I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t a pathetic, GWAR-loving metalhead. I love their gimmick, their style, and the plethora of absurd characters and butt/cock jokes. That said, I wouldn’t label GWAR as musical revolutionists. They may be pioneers in costume design, satirical album concepts, and over-the-top stage shows, but I wouldn’t go as far as giving any of their material a 4.0/5.0. But, they’re fucking fun. Never taken seriously but never taken lightly, GWAR has not only amused me for years but has taught me the value in hating the world. And, when I thought this world couldn’t get any shittier, Oderus Urungus (Dave Brockie) died.” Win one for Urungus.

Communic – Where Echoes Gather Review

By Steel Druhm on October 27, 2017 in 2017, AFM Records, Norwegian Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Heavy Metal, 31 comments

“Communic sits comfortably in the subgroup of metal acts that don’t get the attention they deserve. With 4 albums of pretty consistently sharp, heavy prog metal under their belts, they’ve essentially filled the gap left when Nevermore folded shop. Albums like Conspiracy in Mind and Waves of Visual Decay mixed a satisfying crunch with soaring vocal harmonies, slick progressive sensibilities and a dark edge that draws me back often.” Dark minds plot darkly.

Serenity – Lionheart Review

By Angry Metal Guy on October 26, 2017 in 2017, Austrian Metal, Napalm Records, Power Metal, Reviews, Power Metal, 97 comments

“Serenity is an Austrian symphonic power metal band that has met my standards with 2016’s Codex Atlanticus. That record was solid, yes, but I was surprised by the band’s newest record landing in my inbox a year after its release. More concerning than surprising, however, is that the record is a concept album about Richard the Lion-Hearted. A solid record a year later is an ask for most bands, but do-able. A solid concept album in the same time is simply a reach. So, is Serenity’s Lionheart a good album? And, more importantly, is it a good concept album?” Lions, hearts and crusades, oh my!

Exhumed – Death Revenge Review

By Saunders on October 26, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Death Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Relapse, Reviews, Death Metal, Melodic Death Metal, 33 comments

“Like a fine wine, the mighty Exhumed keep getting better with age. The career parallels with their idols Carcass are obvious but not debilitating, manipulating their worship into their own finely honed death metal machine. From the grimy days of their fun and gruesome 1998 debut Gore Metal, through to 2013’s excellent Necrocracy, Exhumed’s career has been on a constant upward trajectory of consistency, refinement and dependable quality. With the focus of Matt Harvey and co on various other projects in recent years, the band finally dusted themselves off and returned to the studio to record a goddamn concept album!” Feeling offal? Try more gore!

Wormwood – Mooncurse Review

By Grymm on October 26, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Doom Metal, Reviews, Sludge, Translation Loss, Doom Metal, Post-Metal, Sludge, 42 comments

“In the Bible (or at least the New Testament version), Wormwood is the angel or star that falls from the sky, crashing into the waters of the Earth, and killing all living things with its inherent bitterness. Outside of the bible, wormwood is most known for being the key ingredient for absinthe, at one time regarded as a highly psychoactive and hallucinogenic (but still tasty) alcoholic beverage. Whatever the inspiration, Boston’s Wormwood, comprised of members of The Red Chord, Doomriders, and Phantom Glue, pull a little bit of both influences in their sound.” Worm power.