Self Release

Putrescine/Kosmogyr – Desolate Tides [Split] Review

By Eldritch Elitist on October 9, 2022 in Reviews, Black Metal, Death Metal, 17 comments

“Desolate Tides should not make sense. The concept of the split record is one born of shared musical ideals, a joint undertaking made with inherent crossover appeal in mind. The pairing of the melting pot of OSDM worship that is California’s Putrescine, and the modern melodic black metal of international duo Kosmogyr, doesn’t exactly scream “crossover appeal” on paper. While the two acts don’t find a firm sonic middle ground within Desolate Tides, each uses this record to explore the boundaries of their respective sounds in a way that feels thematically aligned with the other. The resulting experience is one of the most intriguing split releases I’ve heard.” Tides bring strange flotsom.

AMG’s Unsigned Band Rodeö: Autonoesis – Moon of Foul Magics

By Dolphin Whisperer on October 7, 2022 in Angry Metal Guy's Unsigned Band Rodeo, Black Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Progressive Metal, Thrash Metal, 53 comments

“Back in the primordial days of this here blog, we attempted something called “AMG’s Unsigned Band Rodeö.” The basic idea was to select a bunch of unsigned bands and give them the collective review treatment to find the most worthy buried gems. It was our humble effort to remind folks that the metal underground is still an important part of the world of metal.” Autonoesis vs the Foul Magics.

Mo’ynoq – A Place for Ash Review

By Dear Hollow on September 15, 2022 in Reviews, Black Metal, 15 comments

“Mo’ynoq is one of black metal’s most frustrating bands – a sky-high potential that never feels capitalized upon. Garnering an underground reputation with their self-released Dreaming in a Dead Language, the North Carolina quartet dealt in second-wave trademarks with an otherworldly twist about them. Balancing two vocalists, frosty tremolo and bouncy riffs, a touch of melody, and a maniac on the kit, the debut should have been a rousing success. Alas, as reflected in the gone-but-not-forgotten Lokasenna ‘s cautiously optimistic review, Mo’ynoq never really got past tripping over their own feet.” Mo’ better?

Meteora – …of Shades and Colours Review

By Twelve on September 8, 2022 in Reviews, Symphonic Metal, 6 comments

“I can only imagine it’s daunting to form a new symphonic metal band. Arguably one of the most popular forms of metal, the scene is supersaturated with talent, and it often feels like the “greats” have already come, made their mark, and started to move on. Trying to make a dent in the sea of symphonic sanity is a huge task, but many are those who step up to try, and they all have my respect for it. The latest of their number I’ve come across is Meteora, who formed in 2010 in Hungary.” Grand expectations.

Ghost in the Ruins – Return to Ash Review

By Dear Hollow on August 24, 2022 in Reviews, Metalcore, 11 comments

“Ghost in the Ruins is a metalcore band from North Carolina, born from the ashes of Further the Fall, debut full-length Return to Ash making a wrecking ball to eardrums everywhere. Taking cues from the glory days of metalcore, expect galloping breakdowns, dueling melodic axe work, and vicious vocals galore.” Children of the core.

Moths – Space Force Review

By Dolphin Whisperer on August 20, 2022 in Reviews, Doom Metal, Progressive Metal, Stoner Rock, 35 comments

“Moths seemingly come out of nowhere. Often left unchecked, they move from chewing a couple holes in that one jacket you forgot about (and probably doesn’t fit you anymore anyway) to causing major issues with carpets, rugs, and insulation. These Moths are different, though. Hailing from Puerto Rico, Moths flutter about with vibe-heavy jazz doom hoping to infest oscillating melodies into your highest consciousness.” Bug hugs.

Parasite Inc. – Cyan Night Dreams Review

By Kenstrosity on August 16, 2022 in Reviews, Melodic Death Metal, Melodic Metal, 12 comments

“Parasite Inc. is one of those bands that I want to fall deeply in love with, but I have no idea why anymore. This inexplicable yearning for that special spark with this German quartet no doubt owes its existence partially to the group’s super-fun debut, Time Tears Down. Since then, Parasite Inc. rapidly declined into cheesy, stale melodic metal that made me cringe more often than not. I had hoped that Cyan Night Dreams, the band’s third full length, might be the start of their redemption arc.” Hopes and dreams (and parasites).

Stormbound – December Review

By Dolphin Whisperer on August 11, 2022 in Reviews, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, Symphonic Metal, 30 comments

“A crazy thing happened in 2020—Holdeneye was right about Scardust. So, when I was perusing the promo pudding for a sonic snack that swooned my spoon, I popped the foil on a new Israeli symphonic power metal group, Stormbound, hoping that they might be part of a growing movement from the small but mighty country.” See you in December.

Negative 13 – Mourning Asteri Review

By Dolphin Whisperer on July 12, 2022 in Reviews, Doom Metal, Hardcore, Sludge Metal, 24 comments

“Negative 13 first hit the scene way back in 2002 (at the time as Negative Theory) with their self-titled (again Negative Theory) sludgefest. Presumably, life happened, as it so often does, and their dozens of fans were left with a welcome mat tagged with a goodbye note. However, in this world that keeps on giving, the past couple years have allowed people to rekindle old hobbies (and ditch new hobbies), bake bread (and then never bake bread again), and, in this case, jam with old friends. Just like that, these reinstated Pittsburghers were able to reissue their previous album as Negative 13 and lay plans for their sophomore outing Mourning Asteri.” Positive negativity.

Milking the Goatmachine – Nach uns die Grindflut Review

By Dolphin Whisperer on July 2, 2022 in Reviews, Death Metal, Groove Metal, Thrash Metal, 17 comments

“It’s late summer; baby goat season has come and passed. The now-adolescent herd will face culling and sorting for important caprine tasks: males will live to the next season for breeding within the herd or sold to other herds, and viable females will stick around for production of milk, which can serve as liquid for cheeses or in cosmetics. Potentially some goats who are neither fit for breeding nor milking will go up for sale as pets or sent to farms who raise goats for food production. Milking the Goatmachine is an atypical pair of goats though; they never made it to feed or breed. These German-born cloven-hoofed heathens escaped the goat-industrial complex to persevere as guardians of galvanized riffs, embodying the spirit of one heavy metal’s most celebrated animal icons.” Goatshake.