Secrets of the Moon – Privilegivm (Lupus Lounge)
Long considered the only relevant German black metal band (what ever happened to Agathodaimon, by the way?), Secrets of the Moon made some serious inroads two years ago with Antithesis, a charming display of pristine...
The Cleansing – Poisoned Legacy (Deepsend Records)
In one of the more unique situations with a death metal act like Denmark’s The Cleansing, the current vocalist Toke Eld doesn’t sing on this debut album Poisoned Legacy due to a police matter. Following his...
Dethklok Metalocalypse – Deth Album II (Adult Swim)
Funny how a cartoon death metal band is better than a lot of… you know, actual death metal bands. Even with that, it’s hard to justify what qualifies as death metal nowadays, so maybe Dethklok...
Portal – Swarth (Profound Lore Records)
It’s a warped, disturbing sound emanating from Portal. They've always gone this route, these lunatic Australians, and it has netted some utterly messed-up results, especially 2007’s Outre, which practically defied all logic within the death metal realm. Swarth continues...
Hypocrisy – A Taste of Extreme Divinity (Nuclear Blast Records)
Far and away the best Hypocrisy since their glorious self-titled album from 1999, A Taste of Extreme Divinity is the summation of everything Hypocrisy does well and really, there’s a lot Tagtgren and co. do well....
Axxis – Utopia (AFM Records)
A two decade-long career plus a recent opening jaunt with two premiere power acts across Europe (the late 2007/ early 2008 extravaganza with Gamma Ray and Helloween) means very little to a fickle North...
Baroness – Blue Record (Relapse Records)
Lots of fuss over these guys and it’s totally warranted. Rarely does a band justify the hype generated by the press, but then again, we’ve propped up a lot of bands that sank faster than they...
Saviours – Accelerated Living (Kemado Records)
A band where the stoner tag doesn’t apply – no friggin’ way – Saviours kick out the jams in a High on Fire frenzy, with a tad more aplomb and NWOBHM sensibilities. Yet, don’t...
Children of Bodom – Skeletons In the Closet (Spinefarm/Universal Records)
Cover albums…how friggin’ overdone are they? Like, way overdone, so much so, that’s it’s become a prerequisite of sorts. Not like Bodom cares – they’ve been tacking on covers to Japanese special editions for years, only...
Immortal – All Shall Fall (Nuclear Blast Records)
Back after a seven-year absence, Immortal return to defend the realm of Blashyrkh – and do they ever. Do take stock in the high rating and the fact we’re not tempering our enthusiasm for...