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Symphony X – Underworld Review

Symphony X – Underworld Review

By Angry Metal Guy on July 27, 2015 in 2015, American Metal, Heavy Metal, Nuclear Blast, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, 81 comments

“Symphony X is New Jersey’s answer to Yngwie Malmsteen. That’s not just a funny blurb: the more I think about it the more I realize that that’s actually a surprisingly good description of the band. My relationship with the band started in 2000 with the release of the band’s absolutely perfect V: The New Mythology Suite. At the time, I described them to friends as being “Malmsteen—if he could write songs and had a good vocalist.” Since then the band has released some excellent records, but they’ve also taken a turn for the heavier, and edgier, moving further away from the traditional progressive/power wheelhouse and straight-up neocassical stylings. The orchestral approach on V never quite disappeared—they’re a ‘neoclassical’ progressive/power band ffs—but from Paradise Lost on the band’s heavier attitude has continued to develop; embodied by Allen’s full-throated Jersey rasp.” Angry Metal Guy weighs in on Symphony X’s newest release.

Cave of Swimmers – Reflection Review

Cave of Swimmers – Reflection Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on April 26, 2015 in 2015, American Metal, Doom Metal, Hard Rock, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Doom Metal, Hard Rock, Progressive Metal, 6 comments

“Remember Guitar Hero? Yes, I’m aware it’s 2015, but reach back into the memory vaults for just a second. Somewhere on the screen there’s a crowd pleasure meter that dynamically reacted to how well your performance is going. If you were good, it would stay in green. If you were really bad, it would stay in red, teetering on the edge of total audience disengagement. Being mediocre kept you squarely in yellow.” Are you ready to take on Guitar Hero’s doom edition? Cave of Swimmers think they are.

Angra – Secret Garden Review

Angra – Secret Garden Review

By Angry Metal Guy on January 15, 2015 in 2015, Brazilian Metal, EarMusic records, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, 54 comments

“Angra needs no introduction. The band has been a power metal fixture since the early 1990s and are one of the biggest metal bands to ever breach the borders of their native Brazil. Still, the last decade(ish) has been rocky for these guys, and you might not be blamed for having thought they called it quits. Not only did half the band quit in the early-aughts to go and start Shaman, but they’ve had dust-ups with management and were put on hold—even having been mistakenly reported as split-up entirely. Hell, between 2010’s Aqua and the release of Secret Garden they lost both a singer—who was replaced by Rhapsody [of Fire]’s Fabio Lione—and got a new 23 year-old drummer to boot. Consistency has been hard to come by for Angra of late.” Mr. The Metal Guy takes on Angra’s newest record. Does he bite the cheese?

Ayreon – The Theory of Everything Review

Ayreon – The Theory of Everything Review

By Angry Metal Guy on November 22, 2013 in 2013, Dutch Metal, InsideOut, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Progressive Rock, 31 comments

“Of all of Arjen Lucassen’s projects, Ayreon is his best known and my least favorite. Having previously given both The Human Equation and 01011001 a shot, Ayreon really was a nut I couldn’t crack. Partially this is because I think the rock opera genre of power/prog metal bands à la Avantasia or Timo Tolkki’s Horrible, Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Avalon tend to lack vision; but the writers also lack the kind of talent necessary that make undertakings like Jesus Christ Superstar or Little Shop of Horrors fun and interesting.” One does not simply write a 600 word review for a 90 minute concept record from Arjen Lucassen. Click to see the epic of The Theory of Everything.

Oliva – Raise the Curtain Review

Oliva – Raise the Curtain Review

By Steel Druhm on July 6, 2013 in 2013, 4.0, AFM Records, American Metal, Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, 14 comments

“I’ve been following Jon Oliva’s career since I was a wee metal lad. I loved the classic Savatage albums like The Dungeons are Calling and Hall of the Mountain King and while I didn’t enjoy their eventual metamorphosis into a Broadway-like, show tuney act on later albums like Gutter Ballet and Handful of Rain, I always had a soft spot for Oliva’s singing. I also enjoyed a lot of the Jon Oliva’s Pain material even though it could be inconsistent. It was somewhat of a surprise to see him appear with this new eponymous act, but apparently Mr. Oliva felt the new moniker was more appropriate since this features music written by his deceased brother and former Savatage bandmate Criss Oliva.” A tribute album to a fallen brother is about as metal as it gets and Jon Oliva sure knows his metal. Join Steel Druhm for the red carpet review.

Enslaved – RIITIIR Review

Enslaved – RIITIIR Review

By Angry Metal Guy on October 1, 2012 in 2.5, 2012, Norwegian Metal, Nuclear Blast, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Viking Metal, Viking Metal, 23 comments

Enslaved has really secured its position in the highest tear of metal bands in the world. Though they started out long ago in the second wave of Norwegian black metal, nothing they’ve done since the late 90s has really represented that faction of their existence. Instead, they’ve become one of metal’s shining examples of a transition from the extreme to the progressive. While doing more to maintain their extremity than a band like Anathema or Katatonia have done, the band’s last full length Axioma Ethica Odini and their EP The Sleeping Gods both lacked extremity while pushing out the borders of the band’s progressive bona fides. I wasn’t sure of what to make of Enslaved’s RIITIIR when it first arrived – but while the record is ostensibly different than the band’s previous work, that mellow, bong-water stain of ’70s progressive rock continues to push further and further from their black metal roots. For the better?

Opeth – Heritage Review

Opeth – Heritage Review

By Angry Metal Guy on September 7, 2011 in 2.0, 2011, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Roadrunner, Swedish Metal, Progressive Rock, 126 comments

Disclaimer: Knowing how to review this record has been very difficult for me because I’m a big fan of the band and I have no desire to try make my opinion seem bigger than the band’s work. I understand my subjective position as a reviewer very well. But this record suffers from pretty major issues that it make it very difficult for me to enjoy and that show off the weakness of the band in its current incarnation. I am aware that there will be a good amount of whining and gnashing of teeth over this review, and you’re welcome to it. Just remember that I 1) am not invested in Opeth playing death metal; 2) like plenty of bands that have changed their sounds; and 3) enjoy progressive and abstract music of all stripes very much.

Ironwood – Storm Over Sea Review

Ironwood – Storm Over Sea Review

By Angry Metal Guy on January 5, 2011 in 2010, 3.5, Epic Metal, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Unsigned Bands, Black Metal, Folk Metal, 1 comment

Well, now that the top 10 is posted and all of that is out there, I’ve received a record that I had no idea even existed and that is super cool. Of course. I said I was nervous about missing cool December releases and now I have been galvanized. I just thought I’d point that out. But I will not deny you the joy of a review of some very cool new music from this Australian progressive outfit by the name of Ironwood (not to be confused with the pornographic comic that I discovered while searching the Googles for the band’s website). This is the band’s third release and second full-length and it is available for your perusal at the band’s website.