Progressive Metal

The Chronicles of Israfel – A Trillion Lights, Tome II Review

The Chronicles of Israfel – A Trillion Lights, Tome II Review

“I’m sure we can all agree that if it wasn’t for the geniuses, the mavericks, the inventors, and the experimenters of this world we would all be living in a grim and destitute place consumed by darkness and destruction. If the likes of Galileo Galilei, Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, Ludwig Wittgenstein, Leonardo Da Vinci did not exist, where would we be today? The same can be said for the advancement of our beloved metal. With open arms we embrace those who experiment, those risk-takers who take the form forward, the advance guard who pave the way for copy-cats to follow. As the pioneers surge ahead into a glorious vista, The Chronicles of Israfel wobble and hobble with the wives and children at the baggage train near the back, drunk from last-nights ale and crippled with a mind-numbing fear.” One step forward, three steps back.

Negură Bunget – Zi Review

Negură Bunget – Zi Review

“Through their music, Negură Bunget seek to provide a window into the esoteric world of their homeland and its traditional way of life. Utilizing an array of native folk instruments, they craft a strange, otherworldly atmosphere, sucking the listener in and transporting them to another time and place altogether. Invoking images of rolling grassy vistas, dense woodland and glistening rivers meandering their way down from the towering Carpathian mountains.” Aren’t you Vlad you came?

The Dillinger Escape Plan – Dissociation Review

The Dillinger Escape Plan – Dissociation Review

“There will be no encore. The hour is nigh when some lucky few will experience the last gig, the last song, the last moment of the world’s most violent performative force. And the rest will be silence – because after The Dillinger Escape Plan leave the stage, the vacuum left behind won’t fill.” ‘Nuff said.

Anciients – Voice of the Void Review

Anciients – Voice of the Void Review

“Canada’s Anciients stormed the scene with their promising Heart of Oak debut in 2013, an intoxicating if at times derivative mix of stoner, sludge, and prog. It was an enjoyable album, though it didn’t quite blow me away like it did many others. Nevertheless, my interest was certainly piqued enough to be excited by the band’s long-awaited return with the all important album number two.” Goats for all!

Meshuggah – The Violent Sleep of Reason Review

Meshuggah – The Violent Sleep of Reason Review

“What does a band do when they’ve spent decades revolutionizing the very fabric of metal? A handful of the early century’s most innovative musicians get their say this fall – and in quick succession, as if ready to pass the torch on to the next generation of darkness. But one of those bands in particular has pitched a radical transformation in how and with what metal is played. Meshuggah, the dark and jagged jewel of Umeå.” The paradigm must now align.

The Reticent – On the Eve of a Goodbye Review

The Reticent – On the Eve of a Goodbye Review

“So when I see a promo that comes from The Reticent, a one-man (Chris Hathcock) project hailing from North Carolina, I am a bit leery. Then I read he is a Grammy-nominated individual. Cool! For what? Well, for being a music teacher, and you know what they say: those who can, do, and those who can’t, teach (or review). So I expect a lesson in obscure scales and don’t hold out much hope for awesomeness.” Caution: avoid if happy.

Almah – E.V.O. Review

Almah – E.V.O. Review

“Concerning geography, I’m the first to admit my complete and total cluelessness. I’m the guy that, until recently, thought the Philippines were off the coast of Central America. My knowledge of European countries is directly linked to the number of metal bands they have produced. When it comes to Brazil, I’m aware of exactly three things; their Olympics were a gong show, they lost 7-1 and they love their power metal. That’s right, Almah is back with E.V.O, another offering of trademark Brazilian power.” From Brazil with love.

Sonata Arctica – The Ninth Hour Review

Sonata Arctica – The Ninth Hour Review

The Ninth Hour marks Sonata Arctica’s fourth full length since Unia. In 2016, that means that half the band’s career is post-Unia and since that monumental album Sonata Arctica has gone through a tense relationship with its history and—if the comments on this blog are anything to go by—their fanbase. This has led to these veterans of Europower reintroducing wolf shirt and their old logo. But for me it’s The Days of Grays—an album distinctly lacking in both—that remains the band’s best since 2007.” So after all this time has Sonata Arctica produced a worthy successor to The Days of Grays?