Self Release

Ninjaspy – Spüken Review

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

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.

Temptation’s Wings – Skulthor Ebonblade Review

Temptation’s Wings – Skulthor Ebonblade Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on March 14, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Doom Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Southern Metal, Thrash Metal, Doom Metal, Southern Metal, Thrash Metal, 46 comments

“A good concept album is hard to come by these days. When one does rear its ugly head, it seems to be the product of another band seeking the blessings of Helloween, Iced Earth, or Blind Guardian. Which isn’t all bad, considering some of my favorite concepts records are the American and German kind. What this means, though, is most of the concepts records I think of (except for King Diamond, of course) are of the power metal variety. What I don’t think of when I think concept record is doom metal; especially an independent doom metal outfit from North Carolina.” Skulthor who?? He’s not here, come back later.

Bear Mace – Butchering the Colossus Review

Bear Mace – Butchering the Colossus Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on March 1, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Death Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Death Metal, 50 comments

“Though I live in quasi-bear country, I had no idea “bear mace” was a thing until I started researching Bear Mace (the band). While I know encounters with real-life Pooh bears are no laughing matter, there’s something comical about whipping out a can of bear mace to fend off a charging Grizzly. I mean, seriously, what are the odds that everything is going to end well?” You have the bear minimum chance of success.

KforKill – The World is Broken Review

KforKill – The World is Broken Review

By Treble Yell on January 31, 2017 in 2017, Danish Metal, Death Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Death Metal, 18 comments

“KforKill is either one of the most on-the-nose monikers for a death metal band you’ve ever seen or a segment on Sesame Street devised by a writer trying desperately to get fired. In this case it’s the former and as a mechanism for establishing listener expectations it does an effective job of priming you for what’s to come. It did get me thinking: can this rudimentary but direct approach to band names be applied to other styles? Black metal? CforCorpsepaint. Speed? BforBulletbelts. Power metal? DforDon’tbotherwastingyourtime.” That’s cold, man.

Dormant Ordeal – We Had It Coming [Things You Might Have Missed 2016]

Dormant Ordeal – We Had It Coming [Things You Might Have Missed 2016]

By Dr. Wvrm on December 22, 2016 in 2016, Polish Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Technical Death Metal, Things You Might Have Missed 2016, Technical Death Metal, 19 comments

“Since first cozying up to Dormant Ordeal one sleepy summer Saturday, the thundering masterclass has hardly left my rotation. Perhaps not the finest death metal to ever emigrate from Poland, We Had It Coming nonetheless evokes a primal emotion that renders it impossible to extract rational thought from the perpetual desire to blast this savage motherfucker from the rooftops.” But that might scare away Santa!

Far Beyond – A Frozen Flame of Ice [Things You Might Have Missed 2016]

Far Beyond – A Frozen Flame of Ice [Things You Might Have Missed 2016]

By Diabolus in Muzaka on December 21, 2016 in 2016, German Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Things You Might Have Missed 2016, Melodic Black Metal, 38 comments

“Many have complained about 2016’s selection of great music, and not without reason; it can seem a bit lacking. Germany’s Far Beyond, the one-man project of Eugen Dodenhoeft, decided to roll with the simplest solution of all to 2016’s musical woes: stop releasing music that isn’t great. With this, A Frozen Flame of Ice was born. That was simple enough to fix.