Progressive Metal

Headspace – All that You Fear Is Gone Review

Headspace – All that You Fear Is Gone Review

By El Cuervo on February 22, 2016 in 2016, English Metal, InsideOut, Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock, Reviews, Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock, 22 comments

“As you may have noticed, we’re prog wusses at AMG. We look favorably on innovation, strong atmosphere and where progressive isn’t a synonym for purely technical. Enter Headspace. Comprising high profile musicians such as vocalist Damian Wilson of Threshold, keyboardist Adam Wakeman of Ozzy’s band (and son of the Yes legend) and Lee Pomeroy, of note for his work with almost everyone ever (including Steve Hackett), the line-up is experienced and successful. ‘Supergroups’ are, however, plagued as strong personalities pull the music in various directions, often devolving into vain wankfests.” The curse of the supergroup continues.

Obscura – Akróasis Review

Obscura – Akróasis Review

By Angry Metal Guy on February 17, 2016 in 2016, Death Metal, German Metal, Progressive Death, Progressive Metal, Relapse, Reviews, Death Metal, Progressive Metal, 148 comments

“What now?” That’s the question Akróasis, unfairly or otherwise, is supposed to answer. Obscura in 2016 is solely within the hands of founder, guitarist, and vocalist Steffen Kummerer. With the core of the band as we knew it between Cosmic Genesis and Omnivium gone—and that’s an impressive list: Hannes Grossman on drums, Jeroen Paul Thesseling on bass, and Christian Münzner on guitars—Akróasis is a moment for a new statement of intent.

Votum – :KTONIK: Review

Votum – :KTONIK: Review

By Steel Druhm on February 11, 2016 in 2016, Mystic Productions, Polish Metal, Post-Rock, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Progressive Metal, 44 comments

“AMG recently dropped this album by Poland’s Votum in my promo bin with a snarky remark about how I love “sadboy doom-prog.” Naturally, I denied it and retorted with a series of choice names, but when the time came to actually sit down and listen to :KTONIK:, Votum’s fourth full-length, I was forced to admit I did love the sadboy post-rock prog metal being laid down. Damn, him! Damn that AMG!

Villainy – Villainy II: Dim Review

Villainy – Villainy II: Dim Review

By Mark Z. on February 8, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Crust Punk, Doom Metal, Dutch Metal, Listenable Records, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Doom Metal, Progressive Metal, 26 comments

“Though I have no musical ability, back in high school I used to love plucking random strings on my friend’s Stratocaster knockoff and imagining I was composing an avant-garde interlude for some progressive screamo album.” You know, with an intro like that, I’m pretty sure you’ll end up not trusting this guy’s judgement anyway…

Lamentations – Echoes in the Wind Review

Lamentations – Echoes in the Wind Review

By El Cuervo on February 8, 2016 in 2016, Progressive Death, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Singaporean Metal, Unsigned Bands, Progressive Metal, Technical Death Metal, 14 comments

“I probably over-utilize the term ‘potential’ when describing new bands, when what I really mean is ‘not good enough yet.’ I’d already resolved to remedy this issue of my own volition and be more accurate when summarizing how I feel about a new artist. Yet, when Lamentations came across my desk with their debut Echoes in the Wind, I couldn’t help but think that these these guys have potential.” Wait, does that mean they’re bad? Or like, good? I’m now pretty confused. I’d better click this here link…

Frostbite – Etching Obscurity Review

Frostbite – Etching Obscurity Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on February 4, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Canadian Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Tmina Records, Black Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Progressive Metal, 32 comments

“I have to admit that I picked up Frostbite’s Etching Obscurity for the cheesy band name and the “progressive black metal” tagline. Expecting a pretentious ambient/avant garde black metal album to laugh circles around, I instead found Etching Obscurity well worth my time.” And you know a doctor’s time is very valuable.

Rhine – An Outsider Review

Rhine – An Outsider Review

By El Cuervo on January 30, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Black Metal, Death Metal, Progressive Death, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Unsigned Bands, Black Metal, Death Metal, Metalcore, Progressive Metal, 15 comments

“I would very much have enjoyed to be present in the early planning stages for An Outsider, the sophomore release by Seattle’s Rhine. They were presumably too sincerely engrossed in masturbatory discussions of how their favorite bands have “influenced our sound” and solemn declarations that “I just wanna make good music man, fuck genre-conformism” to notice that the net result is beyond kaleidoscopic.” Mixer metal has arrived!

Toothgrinder – Nocturnal Masquerade Review

Toothgrinder – Nocturnal Masquerade Review

By Mark Z. on January 23, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Hardcore, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Spinefarm, Djent, Hardcore, Progressive Metal, 25 comments

“Not unlike a djentier and techier Every Time I Die, Masquerade combines a fuck-all attitude, tightly riveted melodies and rhythms, and a sense of abrasive aggression into a 42-minute package that feels like getting a piece of steel wool shoved down your throat—yet it remains hooky enough to wash it down with something sweet afterward.” Like putting Splenda on brass knuckles.

Borknagar – Winter Thrice Review

Borknagar – Winter Thrice Review

By Angry Metal Guy on January 22, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Century Media, Norwegian Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Progressive Metal, 89 comments

“It’s been four years since Urd was released and Winter Thrice builds upon the back of Urd while trying to expand its vision. The album is sixty minutes of epic, blackened, progressive metal which builds on the back of excellent vocal performances, including the unexpected—but totally suggested by me—inclusion of Garm’s cleans in the growing vocal mosaic.”