Nitrogods – Valley of the Gods (Massacre Records)
Power trio outfits check off massive appeal to this scribe – the less is more principle places key components at the top of the list to strip performances down to those essential elements in...
Livløs – Cutting to the Bone
Photo: Nikolaj Bransholm
Melodic death metal possesses a wide array of choices when it comes to the blending of catchy hooks / runs against the energetic aggression of the riffing, tempos, and extreme to clean...
Antipope – Doors of the Dead (Moribund Records)
Evolution has been a constant in this Finnish act’s style. Founded in 2004, Antipope started as a black metal band with progressive tendencies – eventually adding doom, gothic and industrial aspects to their sound....
Jewel Throne – Blood Vultures (Inverse Records)
Frantic activity has been a hallmark for this Finnish thrash band Jewel Throne since arriving on the scene in 2019. Three quick hitting EPs arrived in four months, soon giving way to a series...
Hatchet – No Soul Unturned
Thrash metal has now been in existence for over 40 years – where a mix of pioneers and their offspring continue to explore the heaviness, energy, and power of the movement. Bay Area act...
Enforced – A Leap Into the Dark (Century Media)
Momentum matters in an industry flooded with new weekly releases seemingly from every corner of the globe. Hot off the heels from last year’s third album War Remains, Virginia crossover thrash act Enforced issues...
Astral Doors – The End of It All (Metalville)
Ahhhhh, Astral Doors. Another Swedish band I've been diggin' on for a decade now, ever since 2014's Notes From the Shadows found its way to these ears. I have reviewed each album since then...
League of Distortion – Galvanize (Napalm)
Modern metal continues to find new ways of expressing itself. Some bands wisely choose to think outside of the traditional box, and it helps to give them a sound that not only explores more...
League of Distortion – Embracing Musical Freedom
Jumping into the modern metal fray back in 2022 with their self-titled debut, League of Distortion hit upon a sound that was firmly metallic but willing to branch out into other directions as needed/wanted....
Aries Descendant – From the Ashes of Deceit (Frontiers Music)
With the world literally at one’s fingertips, collaborations expand horizons in fulfilling musical ambitions into any style possible, as Aries Descendant features two virtuoso studio musicians from Minnesota and Denmark. Keyboardist / orchestrator Jonah...