Tool

Vangough – Warpaint Review

By Huck N Roll on March 25, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Progressive Metal, 35 comments

“One of my favorite bands is Tool, and for the love of all that’s good and pure put an album out already, boys! Okay, we know it isn’t happening soon, so we must clutch and grab at every band that shows up flying the Tool flag. Last year Source surprised us with a great record, loved by our own Zephyrus. Vangough strides forth this month with similar aspirations. Warpaint is the trio’s fourth studio album, and third overall to feature a rabbit on the cover. I mention that only because rabbit covers are weird. I mean, what normal band uses rabbits?” Watership Goughn.

Arcade Messiah – III [Things You Might Have Missed 2016]

By Dr. A.N. Grier on December 15, 2016 in 2016, Irish Metal, Post-metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Rock, Stereohead Records, Things You Might Have Missed 2016, Post-Metal, Progressive Metal, Rock, 37 comments

“As I sit here on a snow-covered porch, watching the snow dissipate below the rising sun, it dawns on me just how much I dislike the term “post.” I hate Post-It notes, post holes, fence posts, and (the worst offender of them all) post-hole diggers. I hate the terms “post” (position), “flagposts” (they’re fucking “flagpoles”), and “man-posts” (penises). But, for how much I hate all these terms, I hate post-black, post-rock, post-hardcore, and post-metal the most.” Post no bills (or man-posts).

In Flames – Battles Review

By Madam X on November 14, 2016 in 2016, Melodic Death Metal, Nuclear Blast, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Melodic Death Metal, 119 comments

“Those that have followed In Flames from the very beginning, know that the Swedes have a divisive melodic death discography that extends nearly as long as my arm. From the 90s to the 00s it’s difficult to believe that today’s In Flames is even the same band.” En fuego or down in flames?

Anciients – Voice of the Void Review

By Saunders on October 11, 2016 in 2016, Canadian Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Season of Mist, Sludge, Stoner Rock, Progressive Metal, Sludge, 28 comments

“Canada’s Anciients stormed the scene with their promising Heart of Oak debut in 2013, an intoxicating if at times derivative mix of stoner, sludge, and prog. It was an enjoyable album, though it didn’t quite blow me away like it did many others. Nevertheless, my interest was certainly piqued enough to be excited by the band’s long-awaited return with the all important album number two.” Goats for all!

The Reticent – On the Eve of a Goodbye Review

By Huck N Roll on October 6, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Heaven and Hell Records, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Progressive Metal, 60 comments

“So when I see a promo that comes from The Reticent, a one-man (Chris Hathcock) project hailing from North Carolina, I am a bit leery. Then I read he is a Grammy-nominated individual. Cool! For what? Well, for being a music teacher, and you know what they say: those who can, do, and those who can’t, teach (or review). So I expect a lesson in obscure scales and don’t hold out much hope for awesomeness.” Caution: avoid if happy.

Eschatos – The Grand Noir Review

By Madam X on October 6, 2016 in 2016, Avante Garde, Black Metal, Latvian Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Starwolf Records, Black Metal, Progressive Metal, 24 comments

“It’s been said by some that Moldova sucks, but when it comes to metal, Latvia does not! Hailing from Latvia’s capital city (Riga), Eschatos have been constructing their brand of avant-garde/progressive black metal since 2012.” Better black than red.

Source – Return to Nothing Review

By Zephyrus on September 26, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Pavement Entertainment, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Experimental Metal, Non-metal Metal Things, Rock, 47 comments

“It’s been about 3,800 days since Tool pressed any fresh material, so I’m guessing we’re almost halfway to something new? Well, a trio of go-getters from Colorado up and said “fuck that” taking matters into their own hands. They formed a band called Source, wrote a bunch of Tool-y material and now they’re set to make their debut with Return to Nothing.” Out of the Toolshed and into the limelight.

Third Ion – Biolith Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on July 5, 2016 in 2016, Glasstone Records, International Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Progressive Metal, 19 comments

“I’ve never been a fan of video games. Do I hate them? Well, no, but my anger management specialist suggested I give up this vice or he’d walk. For years he has been trying to convince me that Guile is no match for Ryu and my stubbornness will lead to homicide. But, if there is a style of metal appropriate for all the video game mumbo jumbo, it’s prog.” Prog with video game themes no less.

Airbag – Disconnected Review

By Huck N Roll on June 25, 2016 in 2016, Karisma Records, Norwegian Metal, Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock, Reviews, Progressive Metal, 17 comments

“Airbag is a great name for a band. I’d never heard of them until a week ago. Comparisons to Pink Floyd and Porcupine Tree are enough to get this prog geek’s ears up, and here we are, listening to their fourth album, Disconnected. Giving your album the same name as the classic Fates Warning record is cheeky indeed, but my hopes are high that this band can pull it off.” He’s got high hopes, he’s got high hopes.

Katatonia – The Fall of Hearts Review

By Jean-Luc Ricard on June 15, 2016 in 2016, Peaceville, Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Progressive Metal, 85 comments

“You might consider a band to be losing momentum when they go four years without releasing any original music, yet Katatonia’s profile has risen since 2012’s Dead End Kings. With two live albums as well as Dethrowned and Uncrowned – a mellow reworking of Dead End Kings – under their collective belt since then, they’ve managed to keep their name in the press despite a lack of new material. If any band deserves this continued level of recognition and praise it’s Katatonia.” Praise to the sad boys!