Self Release

Nostoc – Ævum Review

By Master of Muppets on August 6, 2017 in 2017, Costa Rican Metal, Groove Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Groove Metal, Progressive Metal, 49 comments

“Firsts. Life’s full of ’em. Some are wonderful, such as the proverbial first kiss, or the first time you heard (or wrote about!) heavy metal. Some are horrible, such as the Drew Music-al first kiss, or the first time you heard Good Charlotte. A band’s first album can fall anywhere within this spectrum, and with their future depending on that first impression, the importance of debut albums cannot be overstated. This being said, let me prepare your future selves to remember the first time you ever heard Nostoc.” First shot at glory.

Auditory Armory – Dark Matter Review

By Kronos on July 22, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Progressive Metal, 47 comments

“I need to get this out of the way immediately: this is not really Kronos‘ kind of record. You see “Progressive Metal” marked on a promo and you never quite know what you’re in for. Usually, it’s Dream Theater worship or worse, djent, but sometimes it’s actually good. In the case of Auditory Armory, it’s an odd mix of mid-paced power/prog/death riffing and sultry female vocals. What’s one to do? Well, review it.” Prog is like a box of chocolates.

Beyond Grace – Seekers Review

By Ferrous Beuller on July 10, 2017 in 2017, Death Metal, English Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Progressive Death, Reviews, Self-released, Death Metal, Melodic Death Metal, 81 comments

“If perhaps, you have had the misfortune of laboring through any of my previous reviews, you may have picked up on my shameless love of death metal. You may have also noticed I’m a little picky when it comes to that genre’s melodic side. There’s nothing insightful in my complaint – I just find a lot of it to be somewhat toothless, and death by gums is no way to go. Beyond Grace, know these tenets well, and if debut album Seekers is anything to go by, won’t be happy until we’ve all been consumed by an omnidirectional wave of death metal to bleed the brain and skin the soul.” Melodeath, camels and conquest.

Selene – The Ravages of Time Review

By Huck N Roll on June 29, 2017 in 2017, Irish Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Symphonic Metal, Symphonic Metal, 39 comments

“Selene are a relatively new symphonic metal band based in Belfast, Ireland. I’m not going to get on a high (or low) horse about the genre: if you like symphonic metal, you’ll read this review, and if you don’t you’ll scroll down and look for something nastier. It’s all good to me.” Nightmiss.

Tyrannosorceress – Shattering Light’s Creation Review

By Akerblogger on June 22, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Black Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Black Metal, 37 comments

“‘Sir, the Tyrannosaurus’ are too strong. They’ve breached level four!’
‘Shit!’
‘What do we do!?’
‘I…uh…send for The Sorcerer. He’s our only hope now.’
‘But, sir, there’s a chance the atmosphere down there could cause a cataclysmic fusion. The Sorcerer could perish, or even worse…’
‘Just do it, rat! Either The Sorcerer succeeds or the Tyrannosorceress is born. God help us all.'” This theme park was a bad idea.

Drought Year – Nothing More Than Worthless Review

By Madam X on June 19, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Black Metal, Post-metal, Reviews, Self-released, Sludge, Black Metal, Doom Metal, Post-Metal, Sludge Metal, 21 comments

“It’s mostly G rated, when it’s not violent, sick and twisted. That speaks to the accessibility of what you can expect from Drought Year’s sophomore release – Nothing More Than Worthless.” It’s a dry heat.

Karkaos – Children of the Void Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on May 30, 2017 in 2017, Canadian Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Power Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Melodic Death Metal, Power Metal, 27 comments

“When I read words like “Canadian” and “female-fronted,” my mind invariably goes to Unleash the Archers. Without trying, I’ve somehow trained my weak mind to do this. Not that I’m upset about it. Unleash the Archers fucking rule. But, it isn’t the promo sheet for the new Unleash the Archers record I’m reading. Instead, I’m reading the one from Canadian melodeath outfit Karkaos.” Wake up and smell the Karkaos.

Wrath of Belial – Bloodstained Rebellion Review

By Grymm on May 24, 2017 in 2017, Danish Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Death Metal, Melodic Death Metal, 21 comments

“One of the coolest things about writing for Angry Metal Guy is the chance of discovering a great new band. Sure, getting new music from your favorite bands earlier than everyone else is an awesome thing in and of itself, but nothing beats getting blindsided by an up-and-coming group of youngin’s chomping at the bit to be seen and heard. Denmark’s Wrath of Belial are those chompin’ youngin’s.” Talented youts.

Ninjaspy – Spüken Review

By Huck N Roll on April 19, 2017 in 2017, Canadian Metal, Heavy Metal, Mathcore, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Progressive Metal, 64 comments

“It is a little-known fact that Canadians are patriotic. Most people think we just apologize a lot (I’m sorry, but it’s true), but just because most of our flags are pinned up in basement windows where we’ve run out of aluminum foil doesn’t mean we don’t love our country. So, when I get promos that might be interesting, often the fact that a band hails from my home country will be enough to tip the scales and get them into my speakers. Thus is the case for Vancouver’s Ninjaspy.” For those aboot to rock, we’re so sorry.

Vangough – Warpaint Review

By Huck N Roll on March 25, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Progressive Metal, 35 comments

“One of my favorite bands is Tool, and for the love of all that’s good and pure put an album out already, boys! Okay, we know it isn’t happening soon, so we must clutch and grab at every band that shows up flying the Tool flag. Last year Source surprised us with a great record, loved by our own Zephyrus. Vangough strides forth this month with similar aspirations. Warpaint is the trio’s fourth studio album, and third overall to feature a rabbit on the cover. I mention that only because rabbit covers are weird. I mean, what normal band uses rabbits?” Watership Goughn.