Opeth

Shining – Redefining Darkness Review

By Angry Metal Guy on October 30, 2012 in 2.5, 2012, Melodic Death Metal, Reviews, Spinefarm, Swedish Metal, 11 comments

Shining has been a consistent favorite of mine since I discovered the band. Since V:/Halmstad: Niklas angående Niklas I have reviewed every one of their records and have witnessed a change in the band that I think is hard to ignore. Starting with V, the band has continued an Opethian evolution away from the raw, gut-wrenching emotional black metal into something less raw, more catchy and proggy (Marillion prog not Dream Theater prog). Having now dropped the numbers and donned instead an English title, (what would have been VIII) Redefining Darkness continues the band’s evolution away from its gut-wrenching roots. Were we looking for a redefinition? After the mighty VII: Född förlorare I sure wasn’t

The Contortionist – Intrinsic Review

By Alex Franquelli on October 21, 2012 in 2012, 3.0, American Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Season of Mist, Progressive Metal, 1 comment

If Anathema, Obscura and Cynic got stuck in an elevator, What would happen? Alex attempts to answer this and other existential questions as best he can while reviewing the new opus from The Contortionist. Is it progressive? Is it metalcore? Is there enough air in that damn elevator??? Read on.

Katatonia – Dead End Kings Review

By Angry Metal Guy on August 17, 2012 in 2012, 3.5, Not Metal, Peaceville, Progressive Metal, Swedish Metal, 18 comments

Katatonia are one of my favorite bands, I think it’s safe to say. In the top 10? Probably, but definitely the Top 15 – with A Great Cold Distance and Last Fair Deal Gone Down duking it out for one of the best records of the 2000s. Their development as an act that has moved this far from Dance of December Souls and Brave Murder Day is immense. Those records are absolute classics, but as a band Katatonia has developed a feel for modern, depressive rock in the late 2000s that one could only have guessed at when Discouraged Ones and Tonight’s Decision were being released. But I did not enjoy Night Is the New Day pretty much at all. Instead, while everyone was freaking out, I was underwhelmed. It was filled with songs that didn’t speak to me even remotely. And unlike Viva Emptiness which finally just clicked for me after about 18 months of not digging it, Night Is the New Day still doesn’t pack any kind of punch.

Bloodred Hourglass – Lifebound Review

By Madam X on August 6, 2012 in 2012, 3.5, Finnish Metal, Groove Metal, Hardcore, Reviews, Spinefarm, Groove Metal, 0 comments

“Hard as a Rock” off AC/DC’s Ballbreaker album says it all: “So low and dirty, it’s darn right mean.” These five Finns have a ballsy, edgy, in your face attitude that you’ll pick up on quickly – they go so far as to say, and I quote, “Boundaries shall be broken / We told you.”

Baroness – Yellow & Green Review

By Dr. Fisting on July 23, 2012 in 2.0, 2012, 3.5, American Metal, Rating, Relapse, Reviews, Sludge, Sludge, 8 comments

Metal band tries to write actual songs?! Has no one learned ANYTHING here?!

Periphery – II Review

By Angry Metal Guy on July 5, 2012 in 2.0, 2012, American Metal, Century Media, Djent, Progressive Metal, 107 comments

Unlike the progressive rock and heavy rock of the past, Periphery isn’t really writing great symphonic works of art or abstract tracks with smart, snappy choruses. Nor is this a shred-fest in funny time signatures á la Dream Theater and their oppressive and ubiquitous ilk. Nay, Periphery is something unique to the 2010s. That good? I dunno.