Primal Fear

Brainstorm – Wall of Skulls Review

By Steel Druhm on September 14, 2021 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, 90 comments

“Ever since I stumbled upon Brainstorm by way of Symphorce by way of Ivanhoe, I’ve found these German heavy metal masters to be one of the most reliably ass-kicking acts running. And what a run they’ve been on of late. Every album since 2014s Firesoul has been extra-inspired and brimming with fist-pumping, blood-angering metal classics. 2018s Midnight Ghost was the best in a long line of very good to great outings and it gave me everything I crave from a traditional metal album. Led by powerhouse vocalist Andy B. Franck, Brainstorm have long shown a knack for crafting tunes loaded with hook after hook, infused with beefy, muscular riffage in the Nevermore / Iced Earth vein, and few bands can match their ability to craft a monster chorus. On thirteenth opus Wall of Skulls, absolutely nothing has changed.” Trophy metal.

Avaland – Theater of Sorcery Review

By Twelve on March 31, 2021 in Reviews, Power Metal, Symphonic Metal, 34 comments

“The metal opera is, enduringly, one of my favorite concepts of the genre. Avantasia and Ayreon are the two projects that I return to most often, and it seems I’m not the only one. Adrien Gzagg, of Grenoble, France, has been similarly inspired, which is why today I’m introducing you to Avaland and its debut full-length, Theater of Sorcery, a symphonic power metal opera with a fantastical backstory.” Another rainy night at the metal opera.

Primal Fear – Metal Commando Review

By Steel Druhm on July 28, 2020 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, 39 comments

“Anthems, man. Big, beefy, brainless metal anthems. We all love em, and there are some bands born to churn em out. Primal Fear is at the front of that mob, throwing elbows and spilling cheap beer on posers. Unsurprisingly, lucky album 13, the cringe-inducing yet righteously titled Metal Commando is another big ball o’ metal anthems.” Metal forces.

Enzo and the Glory Ensemble – In the Name of the World Spirit Review

By Twelve on March 27, 2020 in 2020, Italian Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Rockshots Records, Progressive Metal, 30 comments

“First off, I’d like to apologize if you can’t hear me too well. I’ve been instructed to shout over the anguished shrieks of the Master of Muppets, who’s having a tough time right now. You see, we’re gathered here today to review In the Name of the World Spirit, the third release from Enzo and the Glory Ensemble, the progressive metal project masterminded by Enzo Donnarumma (Members of God), which is a touch outside of the creature’s usual wheelhouse. But positive, progressive, slightly cheesy power metal is something that I happen to delight in, so here we are! Embracing the glory (ensemble).” Double Glory Awaits.

Licence – N.2.O.2.R Review

By GardensTale on August 2, 2019 in 2019, German Metal, Glam Metal, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Metalapolis, Reviews, Glam Metal, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, 27 comments

“I love complex music as much as the next metalhead. The potential for progressive structures and technical wizardry are some of the elements that set rock and metal apart from most other forms of contemporary music. But sometimes, I just want to kick back with something that’s catchy and dumb, and if there had not been plenty of people who agree with me, we’d never have had glam metal.” Expired.

70000 Tons of Metal 2018: Enter the Metal World

By sentynel on March 29, 2018 in 2018, Blog Posts, Live Reviews, 73 comments

“Scene: German dancy folk metal band In Extremo play on a stage built on the deck of a giant ship. In the hot tub in the audience, a woman wearing a unicorn mask headbangs. A conga line lead by Jesus winds its way through the crowd.” Join the Metal Navy!

Voodoo Circle – Raised on Rock Review

By Huck N Roll on February 13, 2018 in 2018, AFM Records, German Metal, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Reviews, Heavy Metal, 1 comment

“Voodoo Circle make Steel and I yearn for the olde days, when we would sit on the veranda in our trailer park, drinking hobo wine out of pickle jars, listening to mixtapes of Blue Murder, Whitesnake, Great White, and the Scorpions. It was a simpler time: hairspray-soaked blues metal dominated the scene, and there were four main lyrical topics: love, bad love, dirty love, and sex. You can’t get away with that in today’s climate, but that won’t stop Voodoo Circle from trying.” Sex is love.

Vescera – Beyond the Fight Review

By Steel Druhm on April 4, 2017 in 2017, Heavy Metal, International Metal, Pure Steel Records, Reviews, Heavy Metal, 15 comments

“As a kid growing up in the 80s, one of my favorite metal bands was Connecticut’s own Obsession. After getting featured on Metal Massacre II way back in 82 they went on to release a killer EP and two very impressive albums of heavy but melodic metal merging speed with an almost hair metal approach loaded with hooks. A big part of Obsession‘s charm came from the powerhouse, leather-lunged delivery of Michael Vescera. After Obsession folded up shop in 88, he became a kind of metal Ronin, wandering the Earth selling his talents to the likes of Loudness and Yngwie Malmsteen, even putting in a regrettable stint in Animetal USA, as well as fronting several super groups (MVP, The Reign of Terror) and his own eponymous act (Michael Vescera).” Ride on, Metal Gypsy.

Freedom Call – Master of Light Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on November 10, 2016 in 2016, German Metal, Power Metal, Reviews, Steamhammer, Power Metal, 34 comments

“If you didn’t listen to the lack of God in the lyrics, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Freedom Call’s newest record, Master of Light, is chock full of so-called Christian metal. It’s a consistently uplifting record, focused on what sounds like good, beauty, and wonder instead of evil and/or nihilism. If the astoundingly good DOOM reboot (easily the best game of the year) showed us anything, it’s that good can easily be an order of magnitude more “metal” than evil.” Power, pecs and pizzazz.

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.