Wolf – Ravenous (Century Media Records)
Wolf is not the first band mentioned when discussion opens on retro metal, but by golly, they’re probably the best throwback metal band going. Starting with 2002’s signpost Black Wings, the Swedes have taken proto...
Heaven and Hell – The Devil You Know (Rhino Records)
Heaven And Hell, Black Sabbath, Dio and the boys. Whatever you want to call it, there’s been high anticipation for this release - a tour which absolutely blew away everyone who caught them live,...
Altar of Plagues – White Tomb (Profound Lore Records)
At times, White Tomb just floors you. Just like Isis did circa Panopticon or Cult of Luna when they’re not fucking around. Yeah, it drifts into metalgaze territory more than once and that’s fine, but that black metal smear gives...
October Tide – Rain Without End (Reissue) (Vic Records/Candlelight)
The final missing piece in the vaunted Katatonia-related side project catalog, the reissue of October Tide’s Rain Without End is an absolute must-have. Recorded in 1995 when singer/drummer Jonas Renske and guitarist Fred Normann became estranged from...
Hatesphere – To the Nines (Napalm Records)
Some major turnover going on in the Hatesphere camp, with longtime throat Jacob Bredahl leaving the Danish thrashers in late 2007. Hardly a death-knell, the band has regrouped with razor-lunged Jonathan Albrecthsen and a...
Saros – Acrid Plains (Profound Lore Records)
We’ll forego any silly metaphors in regards to Acrid Plains and how unbelievably awesome its opening title track is and how the rest of the album pales in comparison. Guess that’s what an opening track is...
Therapy? – Crooked Timber (DR2 Records)
Twelve albums in (if you include EP’s Babyteeth and Pleasure Death) and Northern Ireland rockers Therapy? are still going strong. Better than ever actually when you get down to it and really start to feel comfortable with Crooked...
Wolves In the Throne Room – Black Cascade (Southern Lord Records)
Their stance as nature-worshiping, old-fashioned heathens (the kind, civilized ones) now fully exposed and understood, WITTR proves they are of equal substance and style with Black Cascade. Not like they weren't before, but unlike several “name” bands that receive...
Khors – Mysticism (Paragon Records)
Hard to peg this one down, something we've grown accustomed to when tackling the wide assortment of bands on Paragon Records. Khors call the Ukraine home and claim black metal is their forte, but that might be a...
My Dying Bride – For Lies I Sire (Peaceville Records)
The violin is back and almost instantly, you can’t help but surrender to its enormous weight and depth. No band has made better use of the instrument (sorry Kansas), so its return from an...