Reviews

Agatus – The Eternalist Review

By Lord Lucan on October 11, 2016 in Black Metal, Greek Metal, Heavy Metal, Hells Headbangers Records, NWOBHM, Reviews, Black Metal, Doom Metal, Heavy Metal, 35 comments

“In today’s fast-paced world where instant gratification is king, once a winning formula has been established, it’s tempting for many bands to play it safe, shy away from experimentation, and resort to simply churning out variations on the same record every few years (*cough* Amon Amarth *cough*). I always have a lot of respect therefore for musicians who are willing to take a risk, mix things up a bit and diversify their style – creating their own record as opposed to simply writing what is expected of them. Agatus are one such band.” A double review brought to you by administrative tomfoolery.

Anciients – Voice of the Void Review

By Saunders on October 11, 2016 in 2016, Canadian Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Season of Mist, Sludge, Stoner Rock, Progressive Metal, Sludge, 28 comments

“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!

Brutally Deceased – Satanic Corpse Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on October 11, 2016 in 2016, Czech Metal, Death Metal, Doomentia Records, Melodic Death Metal, Reviews, Death Metal, Melodic Death Metal, 26 comments

“As many of us learned from magnets or, for an elite few, Paula Abdul and her weird rapping cartoon cat companion, opposites have the ability to attract if they’re strong enough. As we learned from making friends, joining any voluntary association, or reading Plato’s Timaeus, like knows and seeks out like at a high rate too. And Czech Swedeath merchants Brutally Deceased are going for this principle with their third record, Satanic Corpse.” Oh Paula, you came and you found us some Swede-death….

Kremlin – Kremlin Review

By GardensTale on October 11, 2016 in 2016, Reviews, Stoner Rock, Svart Records, Stoner Metal, 12 comments

“One of the best ways to catch my attention with a promo blurb is to compare yourself to Clutch. Not only are the Marylanders among my all-time favorites, their instantly recognizable sound – courtesy of a host of imaginative rock ‘n roll riffs and the amazing throat and lyrics of Neil Fallon – hasn’t inspired a horde of imitators. Finland-based Kremlin had only this magical name listed as an influence on the promo, so it was with ample anticipation that I first fired up their self-titled debut.” Those who invoke Clutch had best be clutch.

Itzamna – Chascade Review

By Kronos on October 10, 2016 in 2016, Djent, French Metal, Instrumental Metal, Post-Rock, Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock, Reviews, Progressive Rock, 20 comments

“One of the may reasons Kronos is more trve than you is that he delves deep into the underground in search of the most obscure sounds in the metal world. The depths of depravity, the spine-twisting abominations that he unearths will challenge your very conception of brutality. Sometimes. Other times, Kronos’ musically omnivorous bandmates make him grudgingly listen to a French prog/jazz/math/djent band and he really, really likes it.” Not brutal enough!

Hobbs’ Angel of Death – Heaven Bled Review

By Mark Z. on October 10, 2016 in 2016, Australian Metal, Hells Headbangers Records, Reviews, Thrash Metal, Thrash Metal, 47 comments

“The year is 1987. Robocop is in theaters, thrash metal is booming, and my mommy and daddy are just a few short years away from bumpin’ uglies to produce yours truly. On the other side of the world, an Australian Slayer fan named Peter Hobbs decides to transform his thrash band Tyrus into a new project named after Reign in Blood’s infamous opening track. The result is Hobbs’ Angel of Death – ostensibly one of the first bands from Down Under to play what we now know as classic thrash metal.” The social thrash contract must not be broken!

Them – Sweet Hollow Review

By Treble Yell on October 10, 2016 in 2016, Empire Records, Heavy Metal, International Metal, Power Metal, Reviews, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, 50 comments

“New the band may be, but the individual members are all seasoned veterans, most notably bassist Mike LePond from Symphony X and drummer Kevin Talley from Suffocation. Markus Ulrich (Lanfear) and Markus Johansson (Sylencer) are on six-string duties and Richie Seibel (also Lanfear) handles the keyboards. Vocalist Troy Norr’s recent experience moonlighting in a King Diamond tribute band informs what Sweet Hollow is all about.” But they do make a good cup of tea….

Riti Occulti – Tetragrammaton Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on October 9, 2016 in 2016, Doom Metal, Italian Metal, Nordavind Records, Reviews, Stoner Rock, Doom Metal, Stoner Metal, 38 comments

“Riti Occulti are a strange band. They play doom, they hail from Italy, they prefer a bass guitar to a six-stringed axe, and their vocal department consists of a goth-like, beauty-and-the-beast duo. To be more specific, the band uses only bass guitar and the two female vocalists alternate between black-metal rasps and operatic clean vox. Topping it off, the band coats everything in a thick layer of synthesizers and moody effects (many times performed using a dreaded keytar). But, it isn’t as bad as it seems.” Unleash the Keytar.

MOASE – Vertigo Review

By Zephyrus on October 9, 2016 in 2016, Portuguese Metal, Post-metal, Reviews, Signal Rex, Post-Metal, 24 comments

“Post-metal thrives or dies based on its ability to evoke emotion, imagery and thought. This is doubly true for instrumental acts, where words have been abandoned in favor of ambiance and atmosphere. Enter Memoirs of a Secret Empire (MOASE).” Yes, hmm, hmm, now for the next question: Does emotional music have quite an effect on you?

Project Theory – Something between Us Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on October 9, 2016 in 2016, Greek Metal, Rap Metal, Reviews, Sliptrick Records, Rap Metal, 70 comments

“Given that I have a great relationship with my father, didn’t get bullied in high school, and don’t hate my hometown, my qualifications to review nu-metal are basically nil. Alas, I’ve made my superiors here rather upset in some way, shape, or form and have been duly saddled with a Greek nu-metal opus in the form of Project Theory’s Something between Us.” Ouch.