Blaze Bayley – Promise and Terror (Candlelight Records)
I believe Blaze wasn’t given the right opportunity to shine during his brief time with Iron Maiden . His impressive track record on his solo output plays to his strengths (middle to high range...
Keep of Kalessin – Reptilian (Nuclear Blast Records)
In line with Watain and Dark Fortress to supplant the old guard of black metal, Norway's Keep of Kalessin haven't as much made a step forward with Reptilian as a lateral move. Their Kolussus effort from 2008 was...
Tarot – Gravity of Light (Nuclear Blast Records)
Nothing elevates the profile of a group faster than when its main member joins a worldwide gothic/ symphonic success story such as bassist/vocalist Marco Hietala did in 2002 with Nightwish. As a result of...
Dew-Scented – Invocation (Prosthetic Records)
When you highlight traditional German thrash, the trio of acts that come to mind regardless of order include Kreator, Destruction and Sodom. Instinctively taking the precursor British metal foundation and adding elements of hardcore and punk,...
Levi/Werstler – Avalanche of Worms (Magna Carta Records)
Not exactly the first place we’d run to when it comes to instrumental guitar shred albums, the duo of Eyal Levi and Emil Werstler of Atlanta-based modern death metallers Daath have pulled a fast...
Cynic – Re-Traced (Season of Mist Records)
With a whole new generation now finally getting it, Cynic have gone from cult status to the veritable “it” band among the young, neo-prog crowd. Quite the change from a few years ago when it...
Kivimesan Druidi – Betrayal, Justice, Revenge (Century Media Records)
Sometimes it’s good to know what to expect when going into an album. Sure, the occasional curveball or surprise is always a treat, but in the realm of epic/folk metal, straying from the course (which is...
Mouth of the Architect – The Violence Beneath EP (Translation Loss)
Their one song “Quietly” (off of 2008’s Quietly) is still far and away the best thing Mouth of the Architect has done and if it was indicative of what the band can do, then we’re...
The Vision Bleak – Set Sail to Misery (Prophecy Productions)
Typically, hard-nosed Goth metal is a total non-entity, unless you’re still ranking Moonspell as a Goth metal band. For Germany’s The Vision Bleak,Set Sail To Misery serves as a reminder that you don’t have to...
Watain – Lawless Darkness (Season of Mist Records)
Such anticipation for a new black metal album is typically reserved for so-called BM luminaries like Cradle of Filth and Dimmu Borgir, not a gimmick-free, straight-to-the-point act such as Watain. Strange thing is that...