Steamhammer Records

Virgin Steele – The Passion of Dionysus Review

By Itchymenace on July 4, 2023 in Reviews, 113 comments

“It seemed like a fun challenge. Like the kid you dared to eat a tater tot after its been up someone else’s nose, I couldn’t resist the temptation to take on 79 bloated minutes of excessive, symphonic concept metal from one of Long Island’s unsung legends. Maybe it’s masochism, maybe it’s the need for attention, maybe it’s a Fight Club-like desire to stand outside the door long enough with my boots and shirts that Steel Druhm will invite me in to Project Mayhem and I’ll get a Judas Priest promo. Either way, the boss was clearly done with Virgin Steele after his previous, less-than-flattering reviews and no one else was touching this thing.” Steel avoidance.

Them – Fear City Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on October 31, 2022 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, 51 comments

“It’s with great trepidation that I come to you this day. It’s 1980-something, and the world is coming apart. The Reagan administration has begun, John Lennon is dead, crime riddles the streets, and, by a freak toxic waste accident, KK Fossor is back. And back with a vengeance. After the death of his family and the destruction of the villainous Peter Thompson, we arrive at a new chapter of the story. On a mission to rid the world of Thompson’s bloodline, KK travels to the cesspool that is Fear City.” Pizza rats and baseball bats.

Running Wild – Blood on Blood Review

By Steel Druhm on October 29, 2021 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, 26 comments

“I’ve said it before. Pirating is a tough racket. No sooner do you find a bountiful treasure than you find yourself forcibly separated from said booty by rival marauders. There’s no dispute that Running Wild invented the whole “pirate metal” schtick way back in 1987 with their Under Jolly Roger opus, and they’ve tenaciously clung to the gimmick riggings ever since, releasing some 13 albums of vaguely buccaneer-themed heavy metal. Their last voyage was 2016s Rapid Foray, which wasn’t their most sea-worthy endeavor, but now they return to the swashing and buckling only to face stiff competition from younger, hungrier acts like Blazon Stone, who’ve pilfered all but the moniker from the original sea dogs.” Blood and gimmicks.

Them – Return to Hemmersmoor [Things You Might Have Missed 2020]

By Dr. A.N. Grier on December 18, 2020 in Things You Might Have Missed 2020, Heavy Metal, 24 comments

“I can’t believe we never received the promo for Them’s Return to Hemmersmoor. I mean, seriously, I’m their biggest fan! Even when their first album fell into the hands of an anti-Diamonder, I still hailed the shit out of it. This October, I even asked my kids if they wanted to watch Tim Burton’s Sweet Hollow. That’s how much the band is on my mind.” Themsmoor.

Sodom – Genesis XIX Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on November 25, 2020 in Reviews, Thrash Metal, 38 comments

“Genesis XIX will be the first time in thirty years Blackfire has recorded a full-length with Sodom. It’ll also be the first time in the band’s storied career to have two guitarists. What will these changes do to the Sodom sound? Obviously, Angelripper sees life coming back to the band. But are four just one too many? And how many more war-themed thrash riffs does Ole Tom have left in him?” Re-Sodomized.

Angry Metal Primer – Sodom

By Dr. A.N. Grier on November 22, 2020 in Angry Metal Primer, 28 comments

Sodom has been leaving tank treads across the world for forty years. And they’re leaving some more. But is this Genesis or Revelation?

Domination Inc. – Memoir 414 Review

By Holdeneye on August 26, 2019 in 2019, Greek Metal, Groove Metal, Reviews, SPV GmbH, Steamhammer, Thrash Metal, Groove Metal, Thrash Metal, 29 comments

“Greek thrashers Domination Inc. (minus the “Inc.” back then) released their debut Infants of Thrash. Take one look at the band’s name, and it shouldn’t surprise you that Infants sounds a cowboys from hell of a lot like Pantera. Fast forward four years and sophomore effort Memoir 414 finds the band wanting to “slightly move away from our initial old-school sound” and hoping that it will sound “heavier and more modern.”” Vulgar display of diary entries.