Reviews

Fuath – I Review

By El Cuervo on January 24, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Neuropa Records, Reviews, Scottish Metal, Black Metal, 19 comments

If you’ve been around since 2014, you may be aware that I’m rather taken with Andy Marshall’s solo project, Saor. As a talented song-writer and multi-instrumentalist, he has capably demonstrated that he knows his way around Gaelic culture and melodic intensity. Fuath—Gaelic for ‘hate’—is more fierce, more ominous, more closely tied with Norwegian black metal than Marshall’s other work, but it retains the profoundly evocative atmosphere for which his work is known. The imaginatively-titled I is his first release under this new moniker and it seems he’s on to another winner.” Come for the Christmas trees, stay for the music.

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.

Throne of Heresy – Antioch Review

By Kronos on January 23, 2016 in 2016, Death Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, The Sign Records, Death Metal, 27 comments

“I have a long standing joke with friends that about fifty percent of death metal bands out there derive their identity with respect to the phrases “Lovecraftian horror” and “anti-Christian,” and Throne of Heresy isn’t out to prove me wrong. So find a bucket, because Antioch is the perfect chance to revisit a favorite conceit of mine; the album review as a drinking game.” Put on your drinking shoes and pull up your pants – we’re about to get our mead on.

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.”

Hexvessel – When We Are Death Review

By Steel Druhm on January 22, 2016 in 2016, Century Media, Finnish Metal, Progressive Rock, Reviews, Progressive Rock, 33 comments

“Hexvessel came into my life in 2012 and filled a void in my soul I didn’t even know existed. You see, I didn’t have any Finnish psychedelic forest folk in what passed for my miserable existence, and only when I tasted of its rich goodness did I realize how much I always subconsciously hungered for it.” And the fire still burns.

Abbath – Abbath Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on January 21, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Season of Mist, 72 comments

“As the old saying goes, you can legally coerce Abbath out of Immortal, but you can’t stop Abbath from up and taking Immortal with him in spirit. So instead of taking the ball and going home, Abbath proceeded to take the ball and dunk on the fools who think that Immortal can survive without him.” Abbath is back with Abbath. Hail Abbath!

Baphomet’s Blood – In Satan We Trust Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on January 21, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Iron Bonehead Productions, Italian Metal, Reviews, Speed Metal, Black Metal, Speed Metal, 34 comments

“After nearly seven years on hiatus, Baphomet’s Blood have returned (minus S.V. Goat Necromancer) with booze in their beards, blood on their jackets, shovels on their shoulders, and eyes set on murdering lawns-o’-plenty as only Motörhead could do.” Lemmy would be pleased.

Fall – The Insatiable Weakness Review

By Kronos on January 20, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Reviews, Melodic Death Metal, 16 comments

“There are many types of melodeath; the moody, acoustic-tinged odes of ’90s Dark Tranquillity, the thrashier Gothenburg style favored by early In Flames and At The Gates (and the thousands of other bands that ape them), as well as the poppier sound of Soilwork clones that seemed to crawl out of the woodwork in the late 2000s (hey, look, In Flames again!).” Kronos loves to classify and identify things. It’s what he does.

Ketzer – Starless Review

By Mark Z. on January 20, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, German Metal, Heavy Metal, Metal Blade, Reviews, Black Metal, Heavy Metal, 16 comments

“There are several unassailable truths in heavy metal. A brutal death metal concert will always smell like garbage and unwashed socks. The wait for a new Necrophagist album will always be the metal blogosphere’s running joke. And when a band experiences some commercial and critical success after employing a fresh sound, you can bet your Ghost buttplug there will be a slew of imitators there to jump on the bandwagon and catch whatever stray dollars they can.” And that brings us to the flavor of the day.

Avantasia – Ghostlights Review

By Steel Druhm on January 19, 2016 in 2016, German Metal, Heavy Metal, Nuclear Blast, Reviews, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, 68 comments

“If there was ever a “Yacht Metal” band, Tobias Sammet’s aspirational ego project Avantasia is it. Perpetually over-sized, ostentatious, crowded with celebrities and in danger of sinking under the weight of its own pretentious pomposity, the entire catalog is a monument to the man’s inherent lack of restraint.” But is that ship still seaworthy and can they see the Ghostlights from the distant shore?