“I truly hate posthumously released albums. Whether they ultimately end up good or depressingly bad, there’s always so much inherent sadness hanging over the final product making it impossible to avoid the whole “music from the grave” effect. When the deceased in question is Eric Wagner, long-time vocalist of legendary doom act Trouble, it cuts extra deep. Still, it’s hard to deny that the grim context only enhances the kind of downtrodden music the man is famous for. In the Lonely Light of Mourning, Mr. Wagner’s second solo outing, plays almost like a goodbye to fans of the man’s 40-plus years in the metalverse.” At the end of my daze.
The Skull
Former Trouble Vocalist Eric Wagner Dead at 62
Eric Wagner, former Trouble vocalist, passed away at age 62.
The Skull – The Endless Road Turns Dark Review
“I miss Trouble. A lot. They were and still are my favorite American doom outfit, and they had a special sound and vibe all their own. A big part of their charm was the one of a kind vocals of Eric Wagner. When he left the band, I knew it would be downhill for them, and boy was I ever right. The Skull was originally formed by Wagner and other former Trouble members as a tribute band of sorts, but they eventually decided to record original material, resulting in 2014s For Those Which Are Asleep. The album wasn’t perfect, but it felt like a long-awaited Trouble revival and it made my heart feel only good things. Now four years later we get the followup, The Endless Road Turns Dark.” Trouble every day.
Blackfinger – When Colors Fade Away Review
“I had my doubts that Blackfinger would even make a 2nd album, given Wagner’s relocation as well as his increased involvement with The Skull. But much to my pleasant surprise, here we are with a new lineup and a new record.” Back in Blackfinger.
Steel Druhm’s Top Ten(ish) of 2014
“As I walk through the valley where I harvest my grain, I take a look at my list and realize it’s very plain. Barring an oddity or two, this feels like the most predictable list I’ve assembled since joining the AMG crusade. I can’t even blame 2014, since it was a decent if not amazing year for metal during which we all learned to enjoy of deep sadness and worship at the altar of the all seeing Sphere of I-ruhn.” Brace yourselves, sheeples, a two ton Top Ten(ish) heavy thing is about to drop from the steely skies onto your eager eyes.
Mr. Fisting’s Top Ten(ish) of 2014
“Another year, another Top 10(ish) list. I’ve not written much for AMG this year, as some of you have noticed, and I kept a healthy distance from the “scene” in general. Rather than devote my time to high-profile, overhyped albums, I’ve pretty much listened to new music that I actually liked, and ignored everything else. As a result, this list is probably weird as hell.” Yes, yes it is.
The Skull – For Those Which Are Asleep Review
“The Skull has an origin story that’s weirder than most. A few years back, several members of doom legends Trouble found themselves out of the band, and decided to form a “tribute” to their former group. Besides the irony of a tribute band containing 3/5ths of the band they are tribute-ing, The Skull quickly proved their credentials onstage. At a packed hometown gig in Chicago, I witnessed the band deliver a set of long-unheard Trouble classics. Eric Wagner (vocals), Jeff Olson (drums) and Ron Holzner (bass) sounded predictably solid, while Lothar Keller and Matt Goldsborough handily replicated the guitar interplay of Trouble’s recorded work. But when the band announced an album of original material, I was skeptical at first…” Can The Skull give us more trouble than Trouble? One can only hope.
Exorcism – I Am God Review
“Super-groups are an odd breed of duck. They either end up a bunch of egos, ball-busting for attention (a fight nobody wins) or they end up something along the lines of Down’s NOLA – chilled out, soaked in beer, raw and dirty and probably totally fucking stoned. This little collective I happened upon most recently via Rock n Growl Promotion, hail from a range of countries including, unsurprisingly, the USA and more surprisingly Spain, Italy and France.” An international doom rock supergroup starring the likes of Joe Stump? Intriguing!
Trouble – The Distortion Field Review
Trouble is one of the best doom bands of all time, though they’ve never gotten the attention they deserved. Since this is their first release since 2007 and the first with new singer Kyle Thomas, we here at AMG felt it deserved not one, but two reviews. That’s right…DOUBLE TROUBLE!
Down: Down IV Part I: The Purple EP Review
F.A.G. lets his Down fanboyism run amok as he discusses Hurricane Katrina, drugs, the Bayou and good old fashioned metal. Long live NOLA!