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Psychonaut – Unfold the God Man Review

By TheKenWord on March 4, 2020 in 2020, Belgian Metal, Pelagic Records, Post-metal, Psychedelic Rock, Reviews, Post-Metal, 35 comments

“I love the color purple. Such a rich palette of hues lie within this particular segment of the spectrum, all of which pair well with an extensive array of complements. Purple can convey royalty, seduction, obliteration, depression, and damn near everything else provided a competent application thereof. Of course, that holds true for most colors, but just seeing purple is more exciting to me than seeing any other color. This brings us to Belgian post-metal trio Psychonaut, whose debut album Unfold the God Man features a gorgeous cover warmly ensconced in my current color of choice.” Do not tear, fold or mutilate.

Bricks & Diamonds: The Best and Worst Sounding Albums of 2019

By L. Saunders on January 28, 2020 in Angry Metal-Fi, Blog Posts, Bricks & Diamonds, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Hard Rock, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, Thrash Metal, 52 comments

“In the tradition of the past Angry Metal-Fi end of year articles, some of the AMG team came together with a list of what we consider the best and worst sounding albums of 2019. Encouragingly, there were far more best-sounding albums on the shortlist than worst-sounding. Is this perhaps indicative of a subtle shift from extreme brickwalling in the broader metal market? We can only hope…” Bricks are for throwing.

Abigail Williams – Walk Beyond the Dark [Things You Might Have Missed 2019]

By Dr. A.N. Grier on January 17, 2020 in 2019, American Metal, Black Metal, Blood Music, Reviews, Things You Might Have Missed 2019, Black Metal, 66 comments

“Manned by the dark mind of Ken Sorceron, Abigail Williams has come a long way in the last decade. Surviving lineup changes, relocations, and changes in musical directions—as well as fandom—Sorceron pushes on, refusing to settle on a path created for him by others’ expectations. Up ahead is another bend in this path. So, take my hand and let’s Walk Beyond the Dark together.” Abby normal

Mark Z.’s and L. Saunders’ Top Ten(ish) of 2019

By Dr. Wvrm on December 29, 2019 in 2019, Blog Posts, Lists, 55 comments

Mark Z. and L. Saunders have their moment in the blackened sun to proclaim their Top Ten(ish) preferences for 2019. Fear the words.

Huck N’ Roll’s and Eldritch Elitist’s Top Ten(ish) of 2019

By Dr. Wvrm on December 28, 2019 in 2019, Blog Posts, Lists, 94 comments

Huck N’ Roll and Eldritch Elitist weigh in with their own Top Ten(ish) of 2019 lists, and they have a lot to say.

Obsidian Tide – Pillars of Creation [Things You Might Have Missed 2019]

By Huck N Roll on December 12, 2019 in 2019, Death Metal, Israeli Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Things You Might Have Missed, Things You Might Have Missed 2019, Death Metal, Progressive Metal, 48 comments

“I love TheKenWord, but the problem is, if you skip an hour on the AMG Slack channel, you’ll probably miss one of his 1462 album recommendations. Lucky for me, at the precise day and time when Kenny waxed on about Obsidian Tide’s new album I just happened to be lurking on the forums, and I caught the link. The young fella did himself proud with this recommendation. Obsidian Tide are an Israeli progressive metal trio, and Pillars of Creation is the band’s debut album, a seven-song, 55-minute concept album detailing a man’s journey to enlightenment.” Tides and tidings.

Blame Zeus – Seethe Review

By GardensTale on November 23, 2019 in 2019, Alt-Metal, Portuguese Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Rockshots Records, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, 19 comments

“But if we disregard the stains of the posturing rap machismo, there’s nothing inherently bad about alternative metal. Generally speaking, it’s often got muscly, infectious riffs, vocal hooks for days, and a bass presence other genres could learn from. It’s the opposite of trve and kvlt, but elitism had always been a dead end. The only thing that often irritates me greatly about alternative metal is the high levels of either emo or tough-guy bluster. So what if we replace that with a fantastic set of bronzed female vocals and a subtle dusting of prog? That’s when we get Blame Zeus.” Commence the Zeusical.

Via Vengeance – Diestractions from the Truth Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on November 14, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, Doom Metal, Reviews, Salt of the Earth Records, Sludge, Doom Metal, Sludge Metal, 20 comments

“He’s a happy dude that makes everyone around him happy. Case in point: at a Neurosis show in Phoenix, I became so enamored with opening act Amenra that nothing existed around me but dark, depressive death. Then I felt the nudge and looked over at the smiling face of Mr. Ocell. One second, I wanted to die. The next, I wanted to give the little guy a noogie. But how can a guy as happy as Shane write music as dark and heavy as that of Via Vengeance? I haven’t a clue, but that’s what he does.” Beware the smiling man.

Orodruin – Ruins of Eternity Review

By GardensTale on November 3, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, Cruz Del Sur, Doom Metal, NWOBHM, Reviews, Doom Metal, NWOBHM, 13 comments

“In Sindarin, Tolkien’s fictional language of the Elves, the volcano has two nicknames. One of them is Amon Amarth, “mountain of fate.” That band, of course, didn’t write about dragons or dwarves or rings, but vikings and Norse mythology. The subject of today’s investigation bears the other nickname for Mount Doom: Orodruin, “fiery mountain.” And the subject of their Candlemassian doom metal? Death and the human condition.” Doom as a destination.

Rimfrost – Expedition: Darkness Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on October 19, 2019 in 2019, Black Metal, Ferocious Records, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Black Metal, 113 comments

“Though every one of the band’s records is a pleasure to listen to, Rimfrost is the result of years of honing one’s sound to achieve near-perfection. It is, without a doubt, the high-water mark of the band’s career. It’s I, it’s Bathory, and it’s Immortal at their best. It’s big, it’s full, and it’s goddamn epic. There’re incredible riffs, blazing solos, melodic passages, and so many memorable moments. Which spells doom for Expedition: Darkness. How can one ever top their pinnacle release? The answer is: most can’t. But Rimfrost did.” Here be the gushing.