Thin Lizzy

Night Demon – Darkness Remains Review

By Eldritch Elitist on April 20, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Heavy Metal, Reviews, Steamhammer, Heavy Metal, 44 comments

“My perpetual desire to keep up with the new, the strange and the inventive in the metal landscape betrays one of my greatest sins as a genre fan: I quite often forget to tip my hat to good ol’ heavy metal. Sure, I have nearly every Maiden record memorized front to back and I endeavor to wear my Motörhead shirt at least twice a week, but I tend to push modern homages to metal’s roots to the wayside. I think my ignorance is a byproduct of a general disinterest in new takes on traditional metal endemic to the current scene, and occasionally the metal community (and myself) needs a good ass-kick of a record to whip it into shape.” The penalty for your anti-metal attitude is a booting.

Born Again – Strike with Power Review

By Treble Yell on February 24, 2017 in 2017, French Metal, Heavy Metal, Massacre Records, Reviews, Heavy Metal, 5 comments

“Motörhead may no longer be around to kill your lawn but, in their wake, churn flotsam and jetsam inspired to take up the axe and split our eardrums asunder. The aptly titled Born Again proffer to raise a pint to the metal gods of yore with their debut Strike with Power in the hopes of rekindling the embers left by Lemmy, et al. The danger in carrying the flame left by music’s Übermensch is that it can be difficult to escape their long shadow and the line between homage and second-rate irrelevancy is thin.” We miss Lemmy.

Screamer – Hell Machine Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on February 23, 2017 in 2017, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, High Roller Records, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, 17 comments

“Screamer, a group of jovial Norwegian retro-rock revivalists, are putting out their third Hell Machine soon, and there’s a very particular standard by which it ought to be judged. The standard I’m referring to is Audrey Horne’s masterful Pure Heavy, far and away the best record of the retro-rock revival movement.” Mess with Audrey, you get the Horne.

Black Sites – In Monochrome Review

By Angry Metal Guy on February 14, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Groove Metal, Heavy Metal, Mascot Records, Progressive Metal, Reviews, 80 comments

“Like the Trials album which preceded it, however, In Monochrome is unapologetically modern, but it has two feet firmly planted in the feel(s) of yesteryear. And it is the feeling of being a traditional metal album—without being remotely derivative—which makes In Monochrome an excellent album.” I mean, what more do you want for an endorsement than that!?

Tygers of Pan Tang – Tygers of Pan Tang Review

By Huck N Roll on October 21, 2016 in 2016, English Metal, Heavy Metal, Mighty Music, NWOBHM, Reviews, Heavy Metal, 21 comments

“I love the 80s. And who wouldn’t? If you are an olde guy like me, the 80s were the peak of metal. The big bands were huge (Maiden, Priest) and new shit was cropping up everywhere (Metallica, Slayer). Luckily, as a teen back then I managed to hold down a job, so I was able to spend all my $6 hour wages on music at every opportunity.” Crouching Tyger, hidden Pan-Tang.

High Spirits – Motivator Review

By Steel Druhm on September 8, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Heavy Metal, High Roller Records, Reviews, Heavy Metal, Retro Metal, 84 comments

“Ever notice how we at AMG Conglomerated Blogworks, Ltd. spend our time bitching and carping about album length and the need for slavish adherence to the 45 Minute Rule? In an age when even EPs are running close to 40 minutes, it gets pretty hard to to uphold the “less is more” banner and remain a defender of editing and artistic restraint. Then in our darkest hour, Chris Black arrives with his High Spirits project.” Expectations and spirits are high.

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.

La Chinga – Freewheelin’ Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on March 25, 2016 in 2016, Canadian Metal, Hard Rock, Proto-Metal, Reviews, Small Stone Records, Hard Rock, 10 comments

“Every once in awhile it’s fun to shuffle through the promo pile in search of an album that explores the good ole days of rock—and by “good ole days,” I mean old-man Steely D days. Even when it’s done shittily, the outcome triggers special memories of sitting around listening to the godfathers of heavy metal and hard rock on shiny black “frisbees” (as we use to call them).” The olde ways are back in vogue (not vogueing though).

Hammer Fight – Profound and Profane Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on March 20, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Napalm Records, Reviews, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, 9 comments

We can argue about what the dividing line between metal and hard rock is until the cows come home, involve the cows in the argument until we feel like steaks, and then argue over some rare 16 oz. deliciousness and a wonderful glass of Cornet. But a satisfying conclusion will never be reached. New Jersey’s Hammer Fight and their sophomore record Profound and Profane are intent on making this fight even more difficult by walking the dividing line with the precision of a man who’s just consumed fifteen beers and is intent on doing a balancing act using the lines in the dive bar parking lot. Regardless of genre tags, what we’re all concerned with here is whether or not Hammer Fight is the life of the party or the unfortunate soul who pukes in the punch bowl and falls asleep on the staircase.

Gygax – Critical Hits Review

By Grymm on January 13, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Creator-Destructor Records, Hard Rock, Reviews, Hard Rock, 24 comments

“When AMG himself dropped a promo on me from a new band from former Gypsyhawk members called Gygax, named after the Godfather of D&D himself, E. Gary Gygax, I was both intrigued and skeptical. I love my metal and nerd tendencies, and Gygax had better come in with a decent THAC0 and saving throw if they wanted to withstand a lashing from yours truly.”