Review

Temisto – Temisto Review

Temisto – Temisto Review

By Saunders on March 1, 2016 in Death Metal, Pulverised Records, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Uncategorized, Atmospheric Black Metal, Progressive Metal, 7 comments

“I can almost hear the collective groans as I break the news that we have another old school death metal band on our hands, hailing from Stockholm, Sweden no less. That horse has been pounded into dust after all and the number of sub-par clones has exceeded the saturation point. Yet being a sucker for old school death I always approach such situations with a glimmer of optimism, particularly when bands like Horrendous and Tribulation have demonstrated that old school death metal can be executed with a degree of originality and innovation.” We review death metal. Deal with it.

Temple of Gnosis – De Secretis Naturae Alchymica Review

Temple of Gnosis – De Secretis Naturae Alchymica Review

By Grymm on February 29, 2016 in 2016, ATMF, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Reviews, Serbian Metal, Black Metal, Doom Metal, 23 comments

“It’s been said that in order to truly change as a human being or other living organism, one must undergo a transformation of truly horrific proportions. Sure, we all know that butterflies derive from caterpillars, but we don’t actually see the caterpillar going through a grotesque shape-shift in order to become an object of beauty, nor do we see a lowly seed split apart and become a mighty oak tree. From those painful, oftentimes disturbing metamorphoses, one finds enlightenment. Serbian one-man doom/death group Temple of Gnosis uses this idea….” Kafka-core is now a thing.

Voivod – Post Society EP Review

Voivod – Post Society EP Review

By Al Kikuras on February 28, 2016 in 2016, Canadian Metal, Century Media, Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Heavy Metal, 46 comments

“Being old means you keep a lot of crap and not just what’s clogging your colon. I still have the issue of Unchain the Underground (as referenced in my last review) where I lambasted Voivod’s Angel Rat, an album that was like a poison-tipped arrow to my heart of steel at the tender age of 16.” The man has been lambasting since before some of you were eating.

Inverloch – Distance | Collapsed Review

Inverloch – Distance | Collapsed Review

By Grymm on February 28, 2016 in 2016, Australian Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Relapse, Reviews, Death Metal, Doom Metal, 15 comments

“diSEMBOWELMENT left quite a mark with their one-and-only album, 1993’s brilliant Transcendence into the Peripheral, before disbanding later that year. In the ensuing decades since, many doom/death hybrids have come and gone and few have come close to attaining the lofty heights ascended by the sadly-missed Australians. So, when bassist (now guitarist) Matthew Skarajew and drummer Paul Mazziotta would regroup as d.USK in 2011 playing the old classics with new members, I was excited to check out a band that I missed after they had called it a day.” They’re back, but is it bowely enough?

Redemption – The Art of Loss Review

Redemption – The Art of Loss Review

By Steel Druhm on February 27, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Metal Blade, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Progressive Metal, 24 comments

“Over my life as a metal fan I’ve had my share of issues with proggy musical endeavors. Though there was a time when I loved everything Dream Theater did, they eventually drifted into a grey purgatory of wanking and showboatery which left those of us who appreciated actual songs out in the cold. I loved early Fates Warning even more dearly, but they too took their progressive tendencies too far afield for my liking, losing their traditional metal charm entirely. Somehow, Redemption managed to avoid alienating my affections over their career though they embody the exact same tendencies as the aforementioned acts.” Don’t put the W in wank and everything will be just fine.

Black Twilight Circle – Desert Dances and Serpent Sermons Review

Black Twilight Circle – Desert Dances and Serpent Sermons Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on February 26, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Black Metal, Crepúsculo Negro, Reviews, Black Metal, 13 comments

“In 2015 I had the pleasure of opening up the New Year with a review of Volahn’s Aq’ab’al; a black metal album filled with so much cultural content (Mayan in this case) that it would have made Quorton’s head spin. Just over a year later I am presented with another opportunity to review a new release from Volahn’s small record label, Crepúsculo Negro—aka Black Twilight Circle.” Cultural diversity is the mission statement here at AMG.

Mefisto – 2.0.1.6 Review

Mefisto – 2.0.1.6 Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on February 26, 2016 in 2016, Heavy Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Thrash Metal, Vic Records, Heavy Metal, Thrash Metal, 21 comments

“What do you get when the length of time between a band’s demo and their first full-length debut is longer than the entire life of the guy writing about it? This review, that’s what. Next, what do you name your record when you release it sixteen years after we all drained our bathtubs because Y2K ended up not shutting down the municipal water supply? 2.0.1.6, if you’re kvlt Swedish band Mefisto.” Y2K was a ploy by the Illuminati!

Atrocious Abnormality – Formed in Disgust

Atrocious Abnormality – Formed in Disgust

By Kronos on February 25, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Comatose Music, Death Metal, Reviews, Death Metal, Slam, 26 comments

“If I had my druthers – and by Jorn’s undershorts, they will be had – I’d be reviewing a lot more good slam. The paucity of good slam to review occurs for two reasons. Number one; we don’t get a whole lot of promo for slam bands, I suspect because so few of them speak English, and number two; good slam is hard to find. Sturgeon’s rule says that 90 percent of everything is crap, but for certain genres of metal, that’s a conservative estimate, and brutal death metal seems to produce stinkers at an alarming pace.” Watch as Kronos pines longingly for slam.

Ritual Chamber – Obscurations (To Feast on the Seraphim) Review

Ritual Chamber – Obscurations (To Feast on the Seraphim) Review

By Roquentin on February 25, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Death Metal, Profound Lore Records, Reviews, Death Metal, 17 comments

“Simply put, Obscurations (To Feast on the Seraphim), the début by one-man band Ritual Chamber, is easily an archetype of how “evil” music should sound. Guitar riffs and growled vocals rise from a gutter filled with tortured souls, putrid bile drips from drum kicks and rumbling bass lines, and a general atmosphere of rot and despair fills each and every song. Cliché as it may seem, it’s dread incarnated.” Ready for some dread and breakfast?