Reviews

Asenblut – Berserker (AFM Records)

Ever wondered what Amon Amarth would sound like if they embraced some black metal elements and upped their heaviness just a smidge? Wonder no more, as Asenblut have returned with their third album (and Read more […]

Mars Red Sky – Apex III (Praise for the Burning Sun) (Listenable)

The space-time continuum has a new, ballyhooed navigator in the form of France’s Mars Red Sky. Certifiably stoner, with the proper doom run-throughs, the band has enjoyed quite the productive 2016 starting Read more […]

Scythia – Lineage (Self-Released)

Continuing to plug away and release albums on their own, Canada’s Scythia aren’t quite the typical folk metal act. Compared with many of their comrades in folk, Scythia stick to singing in a more Read more […]

Aftermoon – Phase One (WormholeDeath Records)

You can never tell when you are going to find the next big thing in the metal world. That’s the exciting part about it after all – things always launch from the ground floor and move up. One recent Read more […]

Third Ion – Biolith (Glasstone Records)

A would-be Canadian metal supergroup, Third Ion has been pounding the progressive metal boards since 2014. Featuring former members of Annihilator, Devin Townsend Project, and Into Eternity, that alone Read more […]

Mindscar – What’s Beyond the Light (Self-Released)

Mindscar’s first effort, Kill the King, was a great introduction to the band. Lots of energy (and blastbeats) in a modern death metal release that perhaps got some extra attention due to Trivium’s Read more […]

Majesty of Revival – Dualism (Massive Sound Recordings)

Purposely suspending band activities for one year to put forth the best studio recordings on this third full-length record Dualism, Ukraine’s Majesty of Revival are a quartet led by the guitar/vocal Read more […]

Sleep of Monsters – II: Poison Garden (Svart)

The golden age of Finnish Gothic rock has long since passed. Charon, Entwine, HIM, Sentenced, and Sinamore ruled the Scandinavian roost a decade ago, combining metal with prime era Goth like Bauhaus and Read more […]

Urobilinemia – Wriggling Chrysalis of Metaphysical Grudge (Gore House Productions)

This one made its way to the top of the review deck based upon the artwork itself. Absolutely creepy and downright brutal, but there’s something breathtaking and fascinating about it. That blue color Read more […]

The Noumenon – Terminus (Self-Released)

Always on the lookout for new and exciting acts within the progressive and technical death metal realms, The Noumenon are yet another fresh face upon the scene. This Alberta, Canada act have only another Read more […]

Spirit Adrift – Chained to Oblivion (Prosthetic)

Apparently, Nate Garrett never received the memo that if you’re going to do a one-man project, it has to be black metal. Seriously, the vast majority of single dude outfits is black metal and it’s Read more […]

Abominant – Napalm Reign (Deathgasm Records)

Impressively long-standing Kentucky death metal act are at it once more with their 11th full-length album Napalm Reign. Despite the longevity of the act, they’ve never really been able to make it to Read more […]

Witherscape – The Northern Sanctuary (Century Media)

Ideally, Dan Swanö would alternate Nightingale and Witherscape albums every other year, giving his devoted throng what amounts to the best of both worlds: gorgeous progressive rock, and adventurous progressive Read more […]

Onirism – The Well of Stars (Self-Released)

With so much atmospheric and space-y black metal out there, it takes a lot to impress at this point. When a band fires off two EPs in a span of less than 6 months, and nails it with both, that’s the Read more […]

Volcano X – The Eruption (Self-Released)

Vanquishing evil and battling mighty demons while forging oversized weapons from molten steel (cheers to bio bravado on social media), Volcano X epitomize a heavy metal attitude and outlook on this six Read more […]

Myriad Lights – Kingdom of Sand (Punishment 18 Records)

Desiring to combine a love of classic heavy metal with modern and power influences, Italian act Myriad Lights began in 2006 under the capable hands and 17-year old axe skills of guitarist Francesco Lombardo. Read more […]

Westfield Massacre – Westfield Massacre (Urban Yeti)

The newest band to feature Tommy Vext (ex-Divine Heresy), Westfield Massacre takes an Americanized approach to heavy metal. Of course, that’s a different way of saying that they follow the more metalcore-driven Read more […]

Paganizer – On the Outskirts of Hades (Transcending Obscurity Records)

This far into the game, you know what you are going to be getting with a Paganizer release. With countless full-lengths, EPs, and splits under their belt (check out the impressive listing at Metal Archives), Read more […]

Revocation – Great Is Our Sin (Metal Blade)

Usually when one hears about Revocation, things come up about the band’s consistency or the way they blend their technical chops with actual songwriting in a way that blends heaviness with some actual Read more […]

Grace Disgraced – Lasting Afterdeaths (Razed Soul Productions)

Not sure if this writer is late to the party, but it seems like within the last 2-3 years, Russian metal bands seem to be cropping out of the woodwork with some excellent releases (many of which sadly Read more […]

Forty Winters – Rotting Empire (Dead Truth Records)

At one point in time, metalcore had more significance behind it’s name. There was more to it than just attempting to be the next Killswitch Engage or Shadows Fall. Metalcore had more aggression and Read more […]

Drudkh/Grift – Betrayed By the Sun Split (Nordvis/Season of Mist)

The third split in two years from the mighty Drudkh, Betrayed By the Sun finds the Ukrainian black metal kings teaming up with one-man Swedish act Grift. In contrast to their recent split with Hades Almighty, Read more […]

Warm – The Human Exemplar (Self-Released)

Witnessing this CT quartet Warm in live quarters opening for Vektor during the winter seemed quite appropriate (snowstorms and arctic winds poured through earlier that day) – and finally getting to take Read more […]

Ribspreader – Suicide Gate – A Bridge to Death (Xtreem Music)

It’s always an easy target for reviewing and jest about the number of bands/projects that Rogga Johansson is involved with, but Ribspreader has been going strong for plenty of time so it’s easy to Read more […]

Paradox – Pangea (AFM Records)

Considering the health issues vocalist/guitarist Charly Steinhauer of Paradox has been through lately, we are thankful that this German speed/power thrash act graces the public with a new studio album. Read more […]

Asphalt Graves – The New Primitive (Vitriol Records)

Another supergroup enters the fray, this time in the form of Asphalt Graves, who feature some rather noteworthy gents in their ranks. Comprised of bassist/vocalist Jason Netherton (Misery Index/ex-Dying Read more […]

Pestifere – Hope Misery Death (Eihwaz Recordings)

Winters in Minnesota have a way of harshing everyone’s buzz, which in many respects, makes it the most Scandinavian of our fair 50 states. As such, the state hasn’t becoming the breeding ground for hot-to-trot Read more […]

Blackgate – Ronin (Self-Released)

The underground surges forward – morphing from pen pal letters and tape trading in 1980’s into social media outreach and digital downloads today. From said earthly roots in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Read more […]

Russian Circles – Guidance (Sargent House)

Read some interviews with the fine gents in Russian Circles and it’s obvious they get it. They know they’re not a metal band (try to look ‘em up on Metal Archives—they’re nowhere to be found), Read more […]

Grond – Worship the Kraken (Xtreem Music)

Nothing like a little bit of death metal to get the blood pumping. Grond have been pushing forth their particular flavor of death since a 2005 demo, though Worship the Kraken is only the second full-length Read more […]