Oct18

Amaranthe – Helix Review

By Angry Metal Guy on October 11, 2018 in 2018, Eurocore, Nu-metal, Pop Metal, Spinefarm, Swedish Metal, 131 comments

“One part pop, one part -core, and one part power metal, Amaranthe could only have come from Sweden: a country and people so obsessively modern and image-conscious that they created the Eurovision industry, the national Twitter account, and the marketing model for trend-driven consumption from furniture to clothing. Even some of the most iconic metal Sweden has produced had remarkably trend-driven second acts. In Flames’ fall from melodeath darlings to nü-metal wannabes was followed by bands adopting the Swedecore sound. What’s the most successful metal band that Sweden has produced since Gothenburg? Well, Ghost. But even for Sweden Amaranthe is another level entirely.” Amaranthe is back for more. How’s that working out for them?

Drift into Black – Dead Suns Under the Forever Moon Review

By GardensTale on October 11, 2018 in 2018, American Metal, Doom Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Doom Metal, 45 comments

“Back in February, the Angry Lord himself graced the website with what is objectively the best article of advice to unsigned bands ever written. While that piece is special enough just by existing, what makes it even better is that, occasionally, bands even claim to have read it. When that happens, and if we don’t miss the magical moment entirely, I am always more than willing to give the band their dues and take a gander at their material, for better or worse. Such would have been the case here if it weren’t for one fact: Drift into Black is not a band, but a guy by the name of Craig Rossi.” Unsigned, unaccompanied.

Piah Mater – The Wandering Daughter Review

By Angry Metal Guy on October 10, 2018 in 2018, Brazilian Metal, Code666 Records, Death Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Death Metal, Progressive Metal, 100 comments

“The pia mater, Latin for “tender mother,” is one of three meninges that surround and protect the brain from damage. So as you’re headbanging at your local metal show, your pia mater keeps your delicate, spongy brain tissue from dashing itself against the inside of your skull and knocking you out cold.” Keep your mothers close and your Opeth-core closer.

Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats – Wasteland Review

By Steel Druhm on October 10, 2018 in 2018, English Metal, Reviews, Rise Above Records, Stoner Metal, Stoner Rock, Stoner Rock, 32 comments

“Less is more. That little witticism has become the AMG mantra because it’s so very true. Most 75-minute albums are less enjoyable than a 45 minute version would be. Three Taco Bell Hard Taco Supremes are a better choice than six. It’s just how the world works. When it comes to the creepy stoner rock of Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats, this rule proves especially accurate. Though I loved their second album, Bloodlust and found their whole night stalker shtick endearing, I’ve never felt the same about any of their later releases. Wasteland is their fourth full-length and the recipe remains the same.” Creepy uncles and bad trips.

Mycelia – Apex Review

By Saunders on October 10, 2018 in 2018, Djent, Eclipse Records, Metalcore, Nu-metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Swiss Metal, Djent, Metalcore, Nu Metal, Progressive Metal, 103 comments

“Do you like djent? How about metalcore? Switzerland? Or perhaps Mycelia’s self proclaimed moniker of progressive deathcore? If you answered yes to these questions, you are potentially in for a tasty treat via the band’s fourth LP, entitled Apex. With such genre tags commonly used as punching bags by the trve metal folk, keeping an open mind was an essential element in tackling my latest review assignment. I can’t say I’m a big fan of djent or metalcore, though I’ve dabbled in the past, and plenty of bands I’ve enjoyed over the years have had elements of the styles. I’d never experienced Mycelia’s chunky brand of modern, angst-ridden metal previously. So after spinning Apex and collecting my thoughts, have the experienced Swiss six-piece overridden my skepticism and gained a new fan?” 6 core and 7 years ago.

Mutilated by Zombies – Scripts of Anguish Review

By Dr. Wvrm on October 9, 2018 in 2018, American Metal, Death Metal, Redefining Darkness Records, Reviews, Death Metal, 52 comments

“For all the heady emotions that metal might evoke—rage, introspection, euphoria, lamentation—sometimes your brain cells just need to fucking die. For those days, may I suggest Mutilated by Zombies? Messier than a six-year-old hopped up on Capri Sun and meaner than your local DMV representative, their third album Scripts of Anguish will take whatever petty emotion you happen to be feeling and make tapioca out of it (and your functioning grey matter). I hope you like it chunky.” Brains!!

Beyond Creation – Algorythm Review

By Kronos on October 9, 2018 in Canadian Metal, Death Metal, Progressive Death, Progressive Metal, Releases, Reviews, Season of Mist, Death Metal, Technical Death Metal, 135 comments

“After The Aura catapulted them up to the front of the tech death field, Beyond Creation have enjoyed continued success based on a surprisingly small oeuvre and touring with seemingly continuous regularity both as support and as a headliner. They took the success in stride, releasing Earthborn Evolution three years after the debut and capitalizing on the record’s fusion influence to produce an even more dynamic live show. Three records in, Algorythm tweaks the approach once more, producing a brooding and grandiose expanse that’s as honest in its execution as in its pretensions.” Just how pretentious is it?

Road Warrior – Power Review

By Huck N Roll on October 9, 2018 in 2018, Australian Metal, Gates of Hell Records, Heavy Metal, Reviews, Heavy Metal, Retro Metal, 48 comments

“Don’t judge a book by its cover, they say. Well, when I signed on to write about Power, the debut album from Australia’s Road Warrior, I didn’t know what the cover looked like. I figured Road Warrior, Australia, traditional metal, what could go wrong?” Humongous stuff.

Ultha – The Inextricable Wandering Review

By Akerblogger on October 8, 2018 in 2018, Black Metal, Century Media, German Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, 18 comments

“As the album title suggests, Ultha play a tangled, cryptic black metal which treads many a well-worn path. What it seeks to release forth from its befuddled loins is a sense of emotional strife and confusion, a feeling many bands in this progressive black metal quagmire seek to explore.” No one likes befuddled loins.

Behemoth – I Loved You at Your Darkest Review

By Angry Metal Guy on October 8, 2018 in 2018, Black Metal, Nuclear Blast, Polish Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Death Metal, 189 comments

“"Behemoth’s star has been on the rise for nearly 15 years. Following the release of 2004’s Demigod and 2007’s The Apostasy, these Poles toured frenetically in the USA and Europe, building a huge fanbase based on their dominant live presence and hooky blackened death sound. Their hard work paid dividends when they were picked up by Nuclear Blast, resulting in 2009’s Evangelion. But while neither The Apostasy nor Evangelion were a tour de force equal to Demigod, Behemoth delivered on 2014’s The Satanist, which showcased the darkest, most mature writing of Nergal’s career. But great records are tough to follow, and the rounds of snickering that ensued following the release of the title I Loved You at Your Darkest and the album’s first single—”God=Dog”—hinted at skepticism among fans." Maybe The Satanist was an exception, not the establishment of a new rule?” Loving the evil sinner.