Reviews

Epitome

Vanir

Like I previously mentioned, this isn’t a bad album but it was, for me, a trudge to reach the end. By the time the first few songs were over, I struggled to keep my attention on it. As a melodic death album, it is serviceable but mileage will definitely vary.

Verses In Oath

Hulder

All in all, HULDER’s “Verses In Oath” is a stunning second full-length album that avoid the dreaded sophomore slump by not just matching the debut but being truly better on all levels.

The Body Electric

Paralandra

A Father and daughter team up with two childhood buddies and form a rock band that becomes a big hit….no, it’s not a silly little sitcom, it is real life, and that’s just the story behind the hard rocking, high energy PARALANDRA.

Baptized by Fire

David Reece

David Reece is the heavy metal singer you’ve probably heard a thousand times and sang along to but just didn’t realize you were listening to, but with his incredible musical resume (and voice) you now know.

Pace of Change

Catalyst*R

Overall, I found the album brought substance and style back into the realm of Progressive Rock, like some of the aforementioned artists. The album is personal, and quite sweet, and the band performs the songs with a quiet confidence.

The Catalyst

Amaranthe

“The Catalyst” is a trademark AMARANTHE album: powerful riffing, dynamic song textures driven by an unique triptych of vocalists, and catchy sing-along melodies, but overcrowd with too many electronic effects

Myths Of Fate

Leaves’ Eyes

“Myths Of Fate” is symphonic Metal excellence: a well-developed versatile concept ranging from crushing Death Metal inspired, via dynamic Folk oriented, towards quiet symphonic Metal tracks

Malicious Ecstasy

Bodyfarm

“Malicious Ecstasy” is a delivery of four devastating and blood-freezing Death Metal tracks with an additional live bonus

Amartia

Bloody Falls

For a band who largely relies on only one main ingredient for their brand of Melodic Death Metal, I did find the album nearly exactly as described: Old school meets contemporary. Although my head is still intact, it did take a bit of a beating.

On the Verge of Dreaming Again

Sol Negate

Overall, this album was very well done. The composing trio mixed many elements together into a well-seasoned stew that tastes fantastic…Death Metal, Progressive elements, and some symphonic elements as well. The result is an album that fans of any of these genres will find pleasing.

To Watch With Hands To Touch With Eyes

Coltre

The new NWOBHM?

Out of Time and Space

Ghost on Mars

A lot of Progressive Metal is about how well the band navigates transitions, in my experience. Both the melodies and their musical prowess on the album is strong, although transitions seem to give them trouble from time to time. The album also has a bit too much of a steady emotional presence for me. These moments seem better when they are unleashed when the listener least expects them, for maximum effect. It’s a good album however, and very well produced. The band has all the pieces in place to be great.

Hijacking The Zeitgeist

Exist

No one can deny the band’s talent, that much I know for sure, but their technical prowess does overshadow some of the melody development. They take their music in all different directions, even to places you wouldn’t expect, and that is the mark of Progressive Metal. They are as tight as they come, but some might argue that they flirt with pretentiousness, as well as that proverbial zenith that isn’t usually reached.

Riders Of The Last Storm

Heavy Load

Heavy Load was formed by two brothers Ragne and Styrbjorn Wahlquist 50 years ago in […]

The Shape of Fluidity

Dool

Within the context of change, things are constantly in flux. It’s almost as if we have no purpose. But when you think about it, change is one thing we all have to navigate daily, and it doesn’t mean you can’t find the right path. For me, therein lies the paradox of the album.

Reclamation: Pt. 1

Amiensus

This is an auditory journey like no other—a fusion of raging, intense black metal with glorious melodies that will ignite your soul. It's a sonic tempest, a whirlwind of ferocity and beauty that will leave you breathless and exhilarated. You'll be engulfed in the raw power of black metal, with blistering riffs and thunderous drums. Yet within, melodies soar and cascade, weaving a tapestry of beauty and emotion that transcends the brutality of the music. This is an early contender for “Album of the Year” for sure.

Hooked

Iron Front

When you see the cover artwork depicting a human head severed in two, you know […]

Solemn

In Vain

Prepare yourselves for an unparalleled musical odyssey that defies expectations and transcends boundaries. Enter a realm where ardent Death Metal collides with glorious melodies, creating a sonic landscape of unparalleled intensity and beauty. With each track, you'll be swept away by the ferocious power of Death Metal, fueled by relentless riffs and thunderous backbone. Yet, woven within this ferocity lies a thread of exquisite melody, guiding you through the chaos with haunting harmonies and soaring refrains. From the guttural growls that reverberate through your very core to the ethereal melodies that linger in the air long after the music fades, every moment of this album is a revelation.

Chasing Shadows

Sunnata

Their genre is called “shamanic doom.” A shaman has access to, and influence in, the world of good and evil spirits. Typically, such people enter a trance state during a ritual, and practice divination and healing. When you take each song separately, they present a varied sound. But when you consider the album as a whole, the pieces start to fall into place. It’s really a colossal effort on the part of the band, and the listening work won’t come easy, but with several listens, it will slowly stick to your ribs. This is definitely one of the more simulating Doom albums I have heard in a while.

Heaven Tonight

Alicate

Alicate were formed in the late Eighties by Jonas Erixon and Fredrik Ekberg. They released […]

One with Dawn

Fractal Gates

In a world where Melodic Death Metal has been overdone, “One with Dawn” proves that magical sound is still out there, and as strong as ever. The album is a perfect amalgamation of melody and heaviness that captivates the soul and electrifies the senses. It's a testament to the beauty of contrast—the delicate interplay between light and shadow, softness and strength, that makes each composition truly unforgettable. Long live FRACTAL GATES!

Binary Dream

Turbulence

The thing that hits the listener square in the jaw is the talent that the band has from top to bottom. The album is packed full of heavy, Djent moments, as well as more tender and personal moments. The only possible critique I could offer the band is to let some of the melodies ride out a bit more, like the themes in the final song. They ride that song into the sunset. Still, this is an outstanding album from start to finish.

Powerlords

Elettra Storm

“Powerlords” is a modern Power Metal album with all the genre typical elements: pace, sharp riffing, double-bass drumming, and catchy melodies

Celebratory Beheading

Contaminated

“Celebratory Beheading” is a celebration of pummeling Death Metal with doomy twists and brutal elements

Alienation

Lethe

Right away, you have to commend a band for their exploratory vision and their “don’t give a fuck” attitude, because these are two principles that the Metal genre was founded on. Although it would be a stretch to call this Metal music, it does retain a harder edge. The compositions are unique, complicated, and dark, but very accessible, and the album retains a very charming and intriguing appeal.

Of Grace and Gravity

Merrimack

Balancing Atmospheric Melodic with lo-fi brutality, “Of Grace and Gravity” is both haunting and bludgeoning.

Here Comes The Rain

Magnum

“Here Comes The Rain” feels like the last letter Tony wrote to us. Listen to it in good health and with fond memories. Rock is dead, long live rock.

Myriad Woes

Above Aurora

All in all, ABOVE AURORA’s “Myriad Woes,” isn’t a band album but it also doesn’t have what it takes to keep my interests.

Echoes

Altar of Betelgeuze

A monster of a doom metal album. It doesn’t matter if you like extreme doom or a more laid back approach---this is an album that bridges the gaps and will appeal to all kinds of people with different tastes. It is a grand achievement that has something for everyone.

Too Late

Last in Time

Overall, this was a solid album to listen to. The musicianship of the band is evident, and they create some memorable moments on the album.

Into the Abysmal Void

Carnal Savagery

When you see a band with name like CARNAL SAVAGERY and a cover artwork depicting […]

Pishach

Sabotage

India delivers the good old Thrash Metal.

Esoterrorcult

Karkosa

Black Metal can indeed be exciting, and this album surely is. What struck me most about the band was they are relatively new to the genre, but execute their music with precision and seasoned musicianship, and the album is every bit as frightening as you would want it to be. Who said Americans can’t steal a corner of this market?

Hatred Embodiment

Nemus Anima

The album had a few moments of creativity, but overall, lacked in imagination and proper songwriting. I hate to put it this way, but many of the riffs were generic and the vocals were sung without passion.

Self//Wound

Negative Prayer

From Portland,Oregon,USA comes this crushing band with the name of NEGATIVE PRAYER. The line-up consists […]

Wings Of Desire (Reissue)

Ruff Justice

Another look at the past.

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Reviews

Epitome

Vanir

Verses In Oath

Hulder

The Body Electric

Paralandra

Baptized by Fire

David Reece

Pace of Change

Catalyst*R

The Catalyst

Amaranthe

Myths Of Fate

Leaves’ Eyes

Malicious Ecstasy

Bodyfarm

Amartia

Bloody Falls

On the Verge of Dreaming Again

Sol Negate

To Watch With Hands To Touch With Eyes

Coltre

Out of Time and Space

Ghost on Mars

Hijacking The Zeitgeist

Exist

Riders Of The Last Storm

Heavy Load

The Shape of Fluidity

Dool

Reclamation: Pt. 1

Amiensus

Hooked

Iron Front

Solemn

In Vain

Chasing Shadows

Sunnata

Heaven Tonight

Alicate

One with Dawn

Fractal Gates

Binary Dream

Turbulence

Powerlords

Elettra Storm

Celebratory Beheading

Contaminated

Alienation

Lethe

Of Grace and Gravity

Merrimack

Here Comes The Rain

Magnum

Myriad Woes

Above Aurora

Echoes

Altar of Betelgeuze

Too Late

Last in Time

Into the Abysmal Void

Carnal Savagery

Pishach

Sabotage

Esoterrorcult

Karkosa

Hatred Embodiment

Nemus Anima

Self//Wound

Negative Prayer

Wings Of Desire (Reissue)

Ruff Justice

Latest Reviews

Crucible & Ruin

Howling Giant

Bio Decay