Vicinity – Passengers in Life
Photo: Daniel Almli & Steffen Normark
Progressive metal has always been a constant staple in this scribe’s life – branching off from artists like Fates Warning, Queensrÿche and Dream Theater into the realms of...
Protosequence – Bestiary (Lacerated Enemy Records)
Hailing from Edmonton, Alberta in Canada, Protosequence is a quartet originally hitting the scene in 2014, releasing a series of singles and EPs over that time to finally reach a debut full-length for Bestiary....
Witch Vomit – Funeral Sanctum (20 Buck Spin)
Old school death metal has returned to the forefront of appeal – not just due to the consistent offerings from the originators of the movement, but a current crop of acts putting forth memorable...
Vorga – Beyond the Palest Star (Transcending Obscurity)
Vorga certainly made a plunge into the cosmos with their exhilarating debut Striving Toward Oblivion, giving a blisteringly fierce purview of space-inspired black metal. Difficulty in establishing oneself is a hurdle that has been...
Hammer King – Carry the Torch
Photo: Anne Swallow
Hoisting the flag for heavy metal high, Hammer King continues to execute well-played anthems ready to appease followers that savor the classic elements of the style. König und Kaiser (rough English translation:...
Lost In Grey – Odyssey Into the Grey (El Puerto Records)
When you create a bombastic, theatrical brand of symphonic metal, prepare to launch a massive undertaking that leaves no stone unturned in any department. With inspiration coming from literature, philosophy, the world itself, as...
Hamferð – Men Guðs hond er sterk (Metal Blade Records)
My journey with Hamferð began with the Summer Breeze festival in 2014. Adorned in matching black suits and ties, they tore through a four song set that included tracks from Vilst er síðsta fet...
Dialith – Alter (Self-Released)
Actively watching the ascent of this CT symphonic power metal band since the start (this scribe witnessing the band’s first live performance even), it’s always a treat to hear what Dialith put forth in...
Kill the Lights – Melodies of Death
Many bands saddled with the 'supergroup' status tend to release an album, see where it takes them, and then tend to vanish. Rare is an act that not only rises further into their own,...
Rage – Afterlifelines (Steamhammer / SPV)
In an era where frequent single / EP releases seem to be more of the norm in the music industry, metal artists often still strive to keep the old album format alive. Even more...
Greyhawk – Thunderheart (Fighter Records)
When artists couldn’t play out as live entertainment ground to a halt for two years plus for most of the world (US tours opened up borders a little quicker for the summer/fall of 2021),...
Catbreath – Slice ‘Em All (Iron Shield Records)
Northern Germany is home base for crossover thrash act Catbreath – an odd name indeed but do not let that fool you. These gentlemen rip out energetic tunes that feature the mandatory stomping to...
Resin Tomb – Inevitable Putrescence
Metal from down under has been on a roll for quite some time, with newcomers entering the fray on a regular basis. One such who has assembled a sound that’s virulent and shatteringly abrasive...
Venues – Transience (Arising Empire)
Venues' second album, 2021's Solace, saw the band implement a heavier sonic template that put them more in line with the modern metal groupings of acts like Deadlock or The Unguided. The type of...
Fatal Fire – Arson (MDD Records)
When you have the chance to slowly unveil your art due to a global crisis, the results can pay huge dividends in making an indelible first impression. Case in point, German power metal outfit...