SPV/Steamhammer

Prong – State of Emergency Review

By Itchymenace on October 8, 2023 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, 48 comments

“It was 33 years ago that a young, impressionable Itchymenace was in Musicland and noticed the artwork on Prong’s breakthrough album, Beg to Differ was by Pushead, the same dude who did the Metallica shirts. Thinking it must be good by association, I immediately purchased the cassette and eagerly placed it in my Walkman. It wasn’t love at first listen but there was something there. While not as polished sounding as …And Justice for All or Master of Puppets, the riffs were good in a different way. They had a raw edge that eventually won me over. Subsequent albums would convert this reviewer into a life-long fan and seeing Prong in 1995 solidified my opinion that they were unsung heroes of the metal world. Fast forward to 2023 and Steel Druhm waving the latest release under my nose along with threats to not “Virgin Steele” it. Poke, prod, Prong.

Lacrimas Profundere – How to Shroud Yourself With Night Review

By Steel Druhm on August 25, 2022 in Reviews, Doom Metal, Gothic Metal, 17 comments

“Germany’s Lacrimas Profundere have been stoking the flames of gothic doom since the mid-nineties, exploring a range of related styles over the years. Their early works were heavily based in the My Dying Bride framework of morose doom, but they evolved into a more rock-oriented sound mixing To Die For and Type O Negative tropes willy-nilly. They found their best moments exploring that style on albums like Ave End and Filthy Notes from Frozen Hearts and could usually be counted on for rocking, super-angsty fun. Lineup shuffles and personnel drama threatened to end the good/sad times, but 2019s Bleeding the Stars saw them reborn with a new, very talented vocalist and edgier approach. Roughly three years later we’re graced with the followup, How to Shroud Yourself With Night.” Hiding in the gloom.

Lacrimas Profundere – Bleeding the Stars Review

By Steel Druhm on July 22, 2019 in 2019, German Metal, Gothic Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Oblivion Records, Reviews, Steamhammer, Gothic Metal, Melodic Death Metal, 66 comments

“Lacrimas Profundere has been one of my go-to sources of sadboi goth rock for a very long time. From their doom death Peaceville Three inspired days in the early aughts, to their recent string of moody goth rockers, they had a real knack for delivering the exact dose of gloomy medicine I crave, while keeping things intense enough to still be metal. It wasn’t until 2016s Hope is Here outing that the wheels came off their gravy train with an album littered with uninspiring ballads and listless soft rock. I truly wanted to like it, but was unable to connect with the material.” Blood well spent.

Mob Rules – Beast Reborn Review

By Steel Druhm on August 23, 2018 in 2018, German Metal, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, Reviews, SPV Records, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, 41 comments

“Once upon a time, Steel Druhm was brought on board the Bad Ship AMG to handle all things traditional and power metal. Since then I’ve branched out and find myself covering much less power-related music, and few albums in the genre get me geeked up these days. Mob Rules are one of the few acts that have restored my faith in the genre in recent years, with a slick, accessible style packed with essential crunch, heaviness and power.” The Mob has spoken.

Axel Rudi Pell – Knight’s Call Review

By Swordborn on March 21, 2018 in 2018, German Metal, Heavy Metal, Reviews, SPV, Steamhammer, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, 42 comments

“Axel Rudi Pell (heretofore abbreviated as ARP) and his gang of Westphalian rockers are a one-trick pony, and the whole world of hard rock and heavy metal well knows this. However, the eponymous band has maintained a solid reputation for consistency and quality amongst those who enjoy the stuff, and Axel himself is an old-fashioned fella whose 80’s mindset frequently comes across in more than just his music.” We Camelot!

Running Wild – Rapid Foray Review

By Steel Druhm on August 30, 2016 in 2016, German Metal, Heavy Metal, Reviews, SPV, Steamhammer, Heavy Metal, 66 comments

“The pirate’s life is not for everyone. Extensive travel, oft unprofessional coworkers and arcane profit sharing arrangements conspire to limit the talent pool and keep opportunities scarce. None of that ever mattered to Running Wild. They took to the trade like a duck to water and from 1987 onward they’ve kept the marauder’s flag flying almost nonstop through hard times and rough seas. Rapid Foray is the third release since their 2012 “reformation” and as on Shadowmaker and Resilient, they’re not looking to reinvent the parrot.” Rum and rummer.

Crematory – Monument Review

By Steel Druhm on April 5, 2016 in 2016, Death Metal, German Metal, Industrial Metal, Reviews, SPV Records, Death Metal, Industrial Metal, 30 comments

“The reigning kings of techno/industrial/party death are back once again to pump up the volume and rock your boots n’ pants, boots n’ pants. On their 13th full length, Monument, Crematory sees some major line up changes but the kraut rockers pick right up where 2014s Antiserum left off. That means more poppy techno-death tailor-made for metallized strip clubs and sketchy back alley discos.” Boots n’ pants and boots n’ pants….

Prong – X – No Absolutes Review

By Dr. Fisting on January 29, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Groove Metal, Hardcore, Rating, Reviews, SPV, SPV Records, Uncategorized, Groove Metal, 19 comments

“Tommy Victor’s Prong have been cranking out music at a furious rate lately, delivering a studio record, a covers EP and a live album within the past 2 years or so. While this work ethic is admirable (and rivaled only by perhaps Max Cavalera), we all know quantity does not always equal quality. 2012’s Carved Into Stone was their best record since their early 1990s heyday, but the follow-up Ruining Lives was somewhat hindered by fake-sounding production and some half-baked attempts at melody. Can X–No Absolutes reverse the trend, or continue it further?” You just have to root for Prong, don’t you?

Raven – ExtermiNation Review

By Steel Druhm on April 24, 2015 in 2015, English Metal, Heavy Metal, Reviews, SPV, Heavy Metal, 22 comments

“Raven is somewhat of a metallic riddle. Having been around since 1974 and considered one of the banner bearers of the NWoBHM invasion of the early 80s, as well as a major influence on the thrash genre, they never gained as much traction as one would expect. Like Anvil and Krokus, they seemed poised on the precipice of greatness, but a combination of bad timing, poor decisions and the fickle mistress that is metal fandom conspired to bring them low and deny them their due.” But they’re still here, and they can still metal. Can you say the same?

Alpha Tiger – iDentity Review

By Steel Druhm on January 18, 2015 in 2015, German Metal, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, Reviews, SPV Records, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, 15 comments

“In the recesses of my chrome and iron 80s heart, I have endless affection for the early Fates Warning albums like The Specter Within and Awaken the Guardian. They just don’t make classy, traditional metal like that anymore and I wish more retro noodle heads would turn their gaze back to that golden era of metal and give it a go.” What’s new, pussy cat? Quite a bit, actually.