Review

Fear Factory – Genexus Review

By Steel Druhm on August 6, 2015 in 2015, American Metal, Death Metal, Nuclear Blast, Reviews, Death Metal, Industrial Metal, 92 comments

“When it comes to turning an extremely limited sound into a career spanning decades, Fear Factory stands alone (or with AC/DC). And as we approach the 20th anniversary of their “cyber metal” style and reflect on how heavily the band utilized themes of technological advancement, artificial intelligence and mutation, the irony of how little their approach has “evolved” should be obvious even to the most Neanderthal of metal fans.” Fear Factory is back to single-handedly disprove all your fancy theories of evolution and kick circuit boards in your face.

Year of the Goat – The Unspeakable Review

By Steel Druhm on August 4, 2015 in 2015, Heavy Metal, Napalm Records, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Doom Metal, Occult Rock, 50 comments

“It wasn’t very long into Year of the Goat’s sophomore effort, The Unspeakable that I was asking myself, “self, is this the second coming of Ghost?” The answer is no, since that happens next month and it’ll be their third coming (or two and a half since I didn’t care much for Infestissumam), but this here platter certainly has a lot of similarities to the goods provided by those mysterious masked ghouls.” Boo!

Pissgrave – Suicide Euphoria Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on August 4, 2015 in 2015, American Metal, Death Metal, Profound Lore Records, Reviews, Death Metal, 26 comments

“Yes, a band called Pissgrave exists and yes, that’s a very dead human being on the cover. Fifteen year old Diabolus is really stoked about how edgy this whole thing is, but much older than fifteen year old Diabolus is fairly aloof about this whole ordeal. While they’re not dressed as pirates, this is nonetheless quite gimmicky.” It always comes back to pirates with this guy.

Hope Drone – Cloak of Ash Review

By Kronos on August 3, 2015 in 2015, Australian Metal, Black Metal, Drone, Post-metal, Relapse, Releases, Reviews, Black Metal, Drone, 106 comments

“Longtime readers may recall the genesis of my infatuation with Hope Drone in late 2014 when I featured them on the very first Sampling Bias (um, yeah I’ll do another one of those sometime) which covered the proud continent of Australia. I lauded their self-titled debut as ‘possibly the most devastatingly nihilistic recording I’ve ever heard, both instrumentally and lyrically’.” Relapse blurbed that little line, so does Kronos love Hope Drone’s newest record enough to merit a second blurb? Or did he fawn himself into a corner only escape-able through a good panning?

Lamb of God – VII: Sturm Und Drang Review

By Saunders on August 2, 2015 in 2015, American Metal, Groove Metal, Reviews, Thrash Metal, Uncategorized, Groove Metal, 36 comments

“As post-Pantera flagbearers for delivering modern American metal to the masses, Virginia’s Lamb of God has garnered similar levels of commercial success and popularity while keeping their heads above water as their profile has snowballed. Even in the face of inevitable detractors, Lamb of God’s workmanlike dedication and impressive work ethics on the road has firmly established the divisive veterans as one of metal’s most (commercially) adored and successful bands during the post-millennium era.” Is this a new beginning or the Lamb of La Mancha?

Perversor – Anticosmocrator Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on August 1, 2015 in 2015, Black Metal, Chilean Metal, Death Metal, Hells Headbangers Records, Reviews, Black Metal, Death Metal, 4 comments

“Chilean metal miscreants Perversor have unfortunately created what will likely become yet another “left by the wayside” album on their second full-length, Anticosmocrator. Not a confidence-inspiring start to a review, but let’s count the ways, shall we?” But things may get better if you think happy thoughts.

Kataklysm – Of Ghosts and Gods Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on July 31, 2015 in 2015, Canadian Metal, Death Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Nuclear Blast, Reviews, Death Metal, Melodic Death Metal, 51 comments

“In Quebec, a delicious golden ale called La Fin Du Monde has been brewed for over twenty years. It’s potent by regular beer standards, sitting at about 9% alcohol. The first time I tasted it I was with numerous smart people in a pub, and as soon as I took one sip I knew this would be a beer I’d have a long and happy drinking relationship with. Quebec has also seen the production of Kataklysm material for over two decades now, and my first time hearing them via Serenity in Fire’s “As I Slither” yielded similar results.” Let the ale flow and the death play.

Fallen Angels – World in Decay Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on July 30, 2015 in 2015, American Metal, Cyberdyne Records, Reviews, Thrash Metal, Thrash Metal, 16 comments

“The biggest problem with grabbing a thrash promo from a band that references Forbidden, Annihilator and Testament, is that I have no choice but to spend hours listening to some of the greatest metal albums to date. Not that I’m complaining but it is difficult to shut off Annihilator’s Alice in Hell once it gets started.” Thrash is back…for the attack.

The Antichrist Imperium – The Antichrist Imperium Review

By Jean-Luc Ricard on July 30, 2015 in 2015, Black Metal, Death Metal, English Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Death Metal, 11 comments

“The past couple of years have been good to Akercocke fans. Though that entity is sadly dead and buried, the magnificent Voices emerged from its grave, releasing an excellent debut in 2013 as well as last year’s near-masterpiece London. But Voices wasn’t the only thing to slither from Akercocke’s rotten cadaver….” That’s one potent carcass!

Powerwolf – Blessed & Possessed Review

By Madam X on July 29, 2015 in 2015, German Metal, Napalm Records, Power Metal, Reviews, Symphonic Metal, Power Metal, Speed Metal, Symphonic Metal, 48 comments

“Hot on the lashing tail of the cheesiest of Sharknado films, Powerwolf return with another wolfnado of larger than life proportions. I’m told it’s supposed to be a humdinger, boasting some of the finest power metal, speed, hard rock and unholy orchestra contributions, and Powerwolf kept this firecracker under wraps for near on two years before unleashing it on the unsuspecting public.” Where are you when we need you, Tara Reid?