Self Release

ShadowStrike – Legends of Human Spirit [Things You Might Have Missed 2019]

By Eldritch Elitist on December 9, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, Power Metal, Self-released, Things You Might Have Missed, Things You Might Have Missed 2019, 9 comments

“Legends of Human Spirit, the debut LP from Long Island’s ShadowStrike, does the unthinkable: it places the intro track second. The record’s opening track explodes forth with an instantly gratifying blast of power metal, and only upon its completion does the band indulge in 95 seconds of overwrought narration backed by symphonic bombast. I loathe intro tracks, yet this simple restructuring of Power Metal’s Worst Trope is one of my favorite moments on this record. The act of postponing the intro, while bizarre, exemplifies what makes ShadowStrike so successful.” We’re easily pleased.

Reign of Fury – Exorcise Reality [Things You Might Have Missed 2019]

By Dr. A.N. Grier on December 6, 2019 in 2019, English Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Things You Might Have Missed 2019, Thrash Metal, Thrash Metal, 12 comments

“I can’t believe it’s been four years since I first listened to Reign of Fury. For those of you that don’t remember, or weren’t alive during that time, Reign of Fury’s 2015 release, Death Be Thy Shepherd, was so good it landed atop my year-end list. As I read over the words I wrote long ago, three things are clear. First, I’m still a shitty writer. Second, boy, a lot has changed in what seemed like a perfect life for ole Grier. Third, Exorcise Reality is no Death Be Thy Shepherd, Part Deux.” Reality bites.

Necropanther – The Doomed City Review

By Eldritch Elitist on November 15, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Melodic Death Metal, 45 comments

“Fans of Eyes of Blue Light, the sophomore masterpiece from Denver, Colorado’s Necropanther, take heed: The Doomed City is not the record you are expecting.” Much Panther.

Second to Sun – Legacy Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on November 8, 2019 in 2019, Black Metal, Reviews, Russian Metal, Self-released, Black Metal, 37 comments

“The 25th of July was a day of air conditioning, Danish Christmas cookies, and Christmas Vacation. Those days may be gone forever, as the family no longer exists as it once did, but a new tradition exists for old Grier. One that sees a year-end release that has, for two straight years, made my heart race in anticipation. A year later, almost to-the-date, comes another Second to Sun release. Lo and behold, the greatest annual tradition of them all. My present to you: Legacy.” Season’s beatings.

The Night Watch – An Embarrassment of Riches Review

By sentynel on November 7, 2019 in 2019, Canadian Metal, Folk Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Folk Metal, Progressive Metal, 42 comments

“The Night Watch bill themselves as “violin fronted instrumental progressive folk metal,” which certainly isn’t inaccurate. However, An Embarrassment of Riches feels first and foremost like a soundtrack album. It’s just one that adopts folk and metal as part of its sonic palette, in the vein of some of Bear McCreary’s work. As an instrumental concept album, it’s looking to tell a story.” Telling tales.

Xoth – Interdimensional Invocations Review

By Akerblogger on October 21, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, Black Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, 56 comments

“As if out of nowhere the mangled title Interdimensional Invocations emerged from another dimension. Now, a second release is here. Can Xoth weave their multidimensional magic once again, or is this destined to spend an eternity in the scrap heap?” Xoth the way we like it.

Messora – The Door Review

By Dear Hollow on October 17, 2019 in 2019, Canadian Metal, Groove Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Metalcore, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Technical Death Metal, Groove Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Metalcore, Progressive Rock, 24 comments

“I don’t know what makes something “avant-garde.” I remember going to an avant-garde art museum in Santa Fe, NM, where there was a movie exhibit of a haircut. Literally, two men and one woman get an identical buzzed haircut in the shade of a gazebo in the mountains of China. There’s new age music plucking around back there, walls are lined with identical shots of their new haircuts, and shadow boxes of locks of hair covered the floor. It was weird and challenging and difficult to understand, but I think about it a lot. So, if that’s what’s avant-garde, Messora ain’t it.” Hammer, don’t hurt ’em.

Arx Atrata – The Path Untravelled Review

By Emya on October 16, 2019 in 2019, Black Metal, British Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Atmospheric Black Metal, 18 comments

“The sound of birds chirping is, for me, both calming and therapeutic. My response to birdsong is not an unpopular one. Sound experts claim that ‘people find birdsong relaxing and reassuring because over thousands of years they have learnt when the birds sing they are safe, [and] it’s when the birds stop singing that people need to worry.’ Thus, I truly felt relaxed and at peace listening to the chirping birds, soft synths, and gentle acoustic guitar in the opening moments of Arx Atrata’s new album The Path Untravelled.” When the road forks, take it.

Shade of Hatred – Reflection on Ruin Review

By Kenstrosity on October 6, 2019 in 2019, Death Metal, Dutch Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Death Metal, Melodic Death Metal, 14 comments

“In my mind, there are two strains of melodic death metal. There is the kind that focuses on beauty (like the recent Eternal Storm) and the kind that focuses on raw energy (I would argue Brymir fit in this category). Both strive to infect the masses with sing-along-worthy tunes, but they take different approaches to the goal. Shade of Hatred, a melodic death quintet from the Netherlands, aim for the latter category on their debut full-length Reflection on Ruin.” The melodeath resistance grows.

Ghost:Hello – Sound of Color in Space Review

By GardensTale on September 16, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, Psychedelic Rock, Reviews, Self-released, Stoner Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Stoner Rock, 41 comments

“Now this is a band who has their shit together for a self-released debut. They got a logo, a professional looking website, even an animated music video. Their online presence is fantastic for a band this young. One of them just might be a web developer, or they get enough from their day jobs to have hired a good one. They have a whole slew of merch available for their new album, including panties. Sure, the name Ghost:Hello is kind of stupid (I keep imagining a sheet-with-holes ghost going “HellooOOoooOOooo!”) but when did a silly name ever stop an eager young band?” Boo-burns.