Sep19

Algebra – Pulse? Review

By Holdeneye on October 15, 2019 in 2019, Reviews, Swiss Metal, Thrash Metal, Unspeakable Axe Records, Thrash Metal, 52 comments

“On their third full-length, Pulse?, Swiss thrashers Algebra explore some science not-so-fiction topics like artificial intelligence and robots through a groovy yet technically proficient thrash lens. Chaos Edy handles lead guitar and vocal duties. His grunts are reminiscent of those of Max Cavalera, and when combined with the bouncing and aggressive riff style of Phil Void and the lyrics warning of future societal calamities, you can’t help but feel that the spirit of classic Sepultura is being conjured.” Math kills.

War Cloud – State of Shock Review

By GardensTale on October 13, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, Heavy Metal, Reviews, Ripple Music, Thrash Metal, Heavy Metal, Thrash Metal, 14 comments

“It can be hard to keep up, can’t it? You barely scrape together the time to listen to one album and another three demanding your time are dropped in your lap. So I won’t do that to you, my friend. Grab a beverage if you like, and join me. Come sit a little closer and let’s simply enjoy each other’s company with a bit of comfort metal to take the pressure off.” Bob Ross, metal reviewer.

Record(s) o’ the Month – September 2019

By Angry Metal Guy on October 12, 2019 in 2019, Blog Posts, Record o' the Month, 145 comments

After a summer that was good, September was kind of insane. There were seven albums that were nominated that I considered for the list. And, of those seven, there were three that could be sitting in the top spot. So just let me go on record and say that this was an extremely difficult month. Being difficult, therefore, I had to ask myself a principled question: what would troll the readers and writers of Angry Metal Guy the most? The answer was simple: there was a progressive metal band that released iconic material in the early aughts. A band whose work is epic in scope and style. A band whose legacy is spoken of in hushed tones. A band lauded for epic compositions and an innovative style. That’s right…

IATT – Nomenclature Review

By Eldritch Elitist on October 10, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, Black Lion Records, Black Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, 23 comments

“IATT—FKA I Am the Trireme, the one-time recipients of an AMG 1.0—is a band I hoped would capitalize on my renewed craving for a smarter kind of blackened death metal. Much of Nomenclature certainly qualifies as prog—and as such, scratches that particular itch—but like the best music in the style, it is great music first, progressive music second. Through theatrical songwriting and melodic grandeur, IATT has assured that their second record is a deeply captivating experience.” You can call this a comeback.

Voice of Ruin – Acheron Review

By Carcharodon on October 10, 2019 in 2019, Melodic Death Metal, Reviews, Swiss Metal, Tenacity Music, Thrash Metal, Melodic Death Metal, 8 comments

“Voice of Ruin know what they like to do and are continuing to do it. And “that” is melodic death-tinged thrash. Where Purge and Purify felt like out and out Lamb of God worship⁠—and there’s nothing inherently wrong with that⁠—Acheron sees Voice of Ruin expanding their sound a bit more.” Define “a bit.”

The Neptune Power Federation – Memoirs of a Rat Queen Review

By GardensTale on October 8, 2019 in 2019, Australian Metal, Cruz Del Sur, Hard Rock, Reviews, Space Metal, Hard Rock, 15 comments

“What a good story needs first and foremost is interesting characters though, and The Neptune Power Federation get that. Their vocalist, Imperial Priestess Screaming Loz Sutch, assumes the mantle of a time-travelling space witch for their fourth album, Memoirs of a Rat Queen. 70s space rock that mixes Heart with Hawkwind and AC/DC, a sexy vengeful bombshell on the mic, and a story scattered from the French revolution to boning in a parking lot; what could possibly go wrong here?” Aqua(lung) metal.

Advent Sorrow – Kali Yuga Crown Review

By Doom_et_Al on October 8, 2019 in 2019, Australian Metal, Black Metal, Reviews, Werewolf Records, Black Metal, 29 comments

“Modern life is safe. Extreme danger and fear are rare, which makes experiences that mimic them memorable. The genre of depressive/suicidal black metal (DSBM) appears to support this, because not much is more extreme than profound depression and suicide. Yet those of us who listen, do so because it makes us feel better; that dabbling in the pain through music lessens its impact in the real world.” Depression lite.

65daysofstatic – replicr, 2019 Review

By Emya on October 7, 2019 in 2019, British Metal, Experimental Metal, Non-Metal Metal Things, Reviews, Superball Music, Ambient, Electronic, Non-metal Metal Things, 30 comments

“65daysofstatic can do no wrong. From being invited to score the first radio adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut’s novel Slaughterhouse-Five (Vonnegut fangirl here!) to soundtracking the procedurally generated open world planetary exploration game No Man’s Land, the experimental four-piece band from Sheffield, England have again and again graciously cherry-picked unique opportunities that are presented to them upon which to work their magic. 65daysofstatic meticulously piece together complex and emotional structures of sound and continually push the boundaries of what’s possible for music to convey. replicr, 2019, 65daysofstatic’s eighth studio album, is no exception.” Non-static Static.

Gentihaa – Reverse Entropy Review

By Master of Muppets on October 7, 2019 in 2019, Greek Metal, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Symmetric Records, Symphonic Metal, Power Metal, Symphonic Metal, 56 comments

“Every once in a while, something trvly special makes its way to the bin, something that I just can’t fucking wait to wax reviewic on. I’ve been pretty blessed with the majority of my selections as it is, but there’s still always room for something better—until now. I’ve been lusting over the chance to babble about Radiant Dark, the upcoming masterpiece by the UK’s The Drowning, and at long fucking last the day has come—” Powers used irresponsibly.

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.