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February 1st, 2024 Features

Rifforia – Ready to Destroy

…e that the offers come to us also so that we can go out there and play. Hopefully a couple of festivals during the summer and a tour later in the year. Dead Rhetoric: What do you think you’ve learned the most over the years regarding the music business having a father with such a long, vast career that he’s had? Johansson: I have learned that it’s a tough business. But it (contains) a lot of good people, a lot of music lovers. You are creating a b…

January 31st, 2024 Reviews

Night Fever – Dead End (Svart Records)

…rdcore, Night Fever with Dead End prove that they’ve lost no intensity, scrappiness, or sheer determination to shove their songwriting into tight windows of explosive madness. In the end, it’s a wonderful sound that hopefully means the next effort will be a couple of years down the road instead of making us wait ten. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni-1QOLniKU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Jx_5i3lG7s Night Fever on Facebook…

January 31st, 2024 Reviews

Show N Tell – The Ritual Has Begun (No Remorse Records)

…ing with abandon. Then there’s the piercing high range nature of Dave vocally. It can be hit or miss depending on your preferences, as at times the screech-like screams could be nails on the chalkboard hard to handle. But you can’t deny much like Skull Fist or early Helloween, his delivery on “I’m Alive” is 100% metal, while his versatility on the Maiden-esque closer “The Second Death” could be something worth exploring a bit more in the future. S…

January 30th, 2024 Features

Selected Singles – January 2024

…he group’s roots, while showing a glimpse at how they can move forward. Hopefully we get more soon. (Ladybaby official website/Ladybaby on Instagram) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGQXLCVFOIU PaleNe0 “aLiVE” Straddling the hard rock/metal line, Japanese act PaleNe0 manages to combine upbeat, almost pop-ish energy along with heavy riffs and even some dabblings into more extreme territory (especially the vocals). Their newest single, “aLiVE,” ca…

January 26th, 2024 Reviews

Mourning Dawn – The Foam of Despair (Aesthetic Death)

…Apex,” followed by a further foray into electronic beats in “Suzerain,” carefully layered with crunchy guitars and spoken word pieces (these are in French, so we’re unsure of the lyrical context). Definitely a stark departure from the band’s long-running doom stylings, and to some, elements such as these may be jarring, as they’re not expected. To our ears, these keep us on our proverbial toes, and as a lover of electronic music, these elements ar…

January 25th, 2024 Features

Any Given Day – Unbroken Spirits

…on compared to having just one person guest on a song. Golinski: It’s totally different than what you normally see, and that was the point. We wanted to bring both styles of both bands together in one song. We wanted to take the brutalness of Any Given Day and the quieter parts of a chorus from Annisokay, and we think it fit perfectly as it came out. People seem to feel the same, so we did it right with this collaboration. Stiller: There’s actuall…

January 24th, 2024 Reviews

Dust & Bones – Mission Back To the Forbidden Planet (El Puerto Records)

…utting away any excess to push the best foot forward track by track. Probably the larger cult appeal of Dust & Bones lies in their home country to extend possibly into other European countries – as Mission Back to the Forbidden Planet contains adequate performances through catchy hooks yet is very familiar to those who love the stripped down, bluesy / punk-oriented heaviness on display. Kudos though to the space-oriented, astronaut filled illustra…

January 23rd, 2024 Features

Saxon – Hurling Fire and Steel

…are a great band, and a really big influence on us. I used to go see them before we were really anything. They’ve been making albums a lot longer than we have, their first album I think was back in 1969. They are looked upon as a 70s band really, whereas we are looked upon as an 80s band. Musically, it’s a generational difference. I think it’s a great package for the fans because they can see the legacy of the music being played live. Dead Rhetori…

January 21st, 2024 Features

Advocacy – Perseverance Through Decoherence

…n’t that technical of a guitarist. I knew what limitations I had both vocally and musically at the time. This sounds like me, and that was very clear, but it has changed through the years from the band it was then to the band we are now. I’ve developed myself as a musician. Dead Rhetoric: The Path of Decoherence is the latest studio album for the band. What can you tell us about the songwriting and recording sessions for this effort? Where do you…

January 18th, 2024 Features

Dissimulator – A Lower Form of Resistance

…That’s where the inspiration comes from, I like the whole vibe aesthetically, references to other movies or shows like Blade Runner. It’s a cool sounding board. Dead Rhetoric: How did the cover art concept come about with artist Jesse Draxler? It’s definitely not conventional and can be as equally as thought-provoking as what you display with the contents of the record musically… Leduc: I had this idea. I didn’t know how I was going to do it. You…

January 17th, 2024 Reviews

Metalite – Expedition One (AFM Records)

…en along with. The plodding grooves of “Outer Worlds” and the chorus is a definite ‘sing-a-long,’ though admittedly “In My Dreams” takes the award for the strongest ‘sing-a-long’ with it’s ballad-y approach and potent use of Erica Ohlsson’s charismatic vocals. Those interested in the high-energy driving tempo showcases the band is known for should be quite happy as well. “Cyberdome” is an all-out romp of energy and fun, from it’s big synth section…

January 15th, 2024 Reviews

Not Secured, Loose Ends – Ouroarboros (codomomental inc)

…Ouroarboros is an interesting one, taking old songs and giving them not only English lyrics but entirely reworking them. The songs are still recognizable, but this far from a case of a mere re-recording of older tracks. With that fresh imbuing of mostly new members singing, the reworked arrangements, and English lyrics, it gives more than enough reason for older fans to revisit the group’s rebirth, as well as an excellent starting point for newco…

January 9th, 2024 Features

Rome In Monochrome – Pushing Ego Out of the Equation

…en it coming, I knew it, but I am starting to see the Matrix alive, and I definitely don’t like it. I don’t want to be in a world where reality is hard to define and where discerning truth from lie is our fucking day job. Life is about sharing feelings and connections and, if we lose it, what does our lives amount to? The best change for the greater good of all would be in the direction of feelings but I don’t know if we are losing them these days…

January 8th, 2024 Reviews

Bull of Apis Bull of Bronze – The Fractal Ouroboros (Fiadh Productions)

…g. “Our Overt Apocalypse” has a similar scope, though constructed differently to no less effect, with the song beginning slowly and traversing back and forth between methodical riffs and concurrent sobering soundscapes. Finale “Ekstasis, Enstasis, and the Fractal Ouroboros” is a clinic in songwriting and guitar dexterity, smoothly ebbing and flowing to an eerie conclusion. This album is a challenging listen, but those up to it will absolutely reap…

January 7th, 2024 Features

Exit Eden – Breaking the Mold

…ere able to send him ideas and he worked on them with us or for us. He really understands the concept really well. It was great to get the original concepts together and just to see what we would choose. Dead Rhetoric: Did it seem like a natural progression to write original songs to go along with the covers? It seemed that there was also a want to write songs within the band before. Brunner: Yes, I would say so. We do love to put ourselves into a…

January 5th, 2024 Reviews

The Grandmaster – Black Sun (Frontiers Music)

…ynchronicity between the guitars, keyboards, and bass while the drum work deftly moves between power, groove, and progressive measures as Per unleashes more of his multi-octave vocal prowess. Resolute in its melodic metal stance, Black Sun isn’t exactly going to turn the world ablaze in terms of its approach. The Grandmaster delivers an interesting mix of modern meets power songwriting, adding in a flair for dramatic soundscapes to polish off thei…

January 4th, 2024 Features

Daniel Barkasi Best-of 2023

…, but the proof is in the Spätzle – The Black Stream is undeniable, and hopefully Night in Gales gains the reverence they’ve earned. Continue on to page 2 for my top 15 songs of the year, a bunch of honorable mentions, show of the year, label of the year, and finally some musings on the new year. We’re expanding the top songs list to 15 this year. Why? Because we can, and I like adding up to an even number. That, and with there just being so damn…

January 3rd, 2024 Reviews

Alluvial – Death is But a Door (Nuclear Blast)

…initiation for those who may have missed the band’s earlier efforts as it effectively pushes each direction to the next level. Given that there’s only four songs on Death is But a Door, it’s unsurprising but quite cool that each song has it’s own vibe. Opener “Bog Dweller” starts with some big death metal riffing and groovy mid-tempo crunch. The riffs are meaty and potent for the band’s sound, and operate in that sweet spot of just enough melody…

January 2nd, 2024 Features

Striker – Rev Up With Ultrapower

…tickets – holy smokes. The barrier of entry to get on tour is so high, hopefully that can stabilize itself or else it will be a lot harder for bands to tour in general. We will see. Where there is a will, there’s a way. Bands will still tour, they will just figure it out. Dead Rhetoric: You also have a love for 80’s LA/Sunset Strip bands – what are some of the guilty pleasures or underrated bands from that era that you believe people need to do a…

December 29th, 2023 Reviews

At the Plates – Omnivore (Self-Released)

…longer tracks, such as “Terminal Filet Disease,” by taking the time to carefully build up some mood into the track, keeping melody at the forefront as they escalate it into greater intensity. Omnivore happily pays homage to some of the death metal greats in fun ways, but it more than stands up on its own merit. At the Plates’ second full-length offering is a road map to how fine death metal should be crafted, and leaves you with a feeling of ‘dam…

December 28th, 2023 Concert Reviews

Katatonia / Gost – December 9, 2023 – Level 13, Orlando, FL

…synth back and forth, while ritualistically interacting with a pentacle carefully laid out on the ground. Ominous and infectious, Gost brings a liveliness along with their trance-inducing aural landscapes that combine to form quite the potent wallop. The gothic touches of “Blessed Be” and “Coven” from Rites of Love and Reverence, along with Gost’s seldom utilized bellowing clean vocal delivery, were a well-placed change of pace that the crowd was…

December 26th, 2023 Features

Hyloxalus – Stare Into the Black Hole

…losing that the full-length album that you were writing with Hyloxalus, briefly stating ‘it gets weirder’. Now that Make Me the Heart of the Black Hole has been written and recorded, could you expand upon that statement and where you see this set of material pushing the boundaries or parameters for the band in terms of substance and style? Mike Bell: I had just written the music for our song “Splitter”, so what I had meant by that statement was th…

December 24th, 2023 Features

Everdawn – Seek the Silver Lining

…out the world. What can we do? We produce music, to increase awareness. Hopefully we will be able to make a difference, through our storytelling and music telling. Hopefully making lives easier of those who listen to us, our fans. If they resonate with our music, the listening of our songs as a part of their everyday lives, hey, that means that this is something we are doing right. We do it for the love of music, first of all. Dead Rhetoric: Where…

December 22nd, 2023 Reviews

East of Eden – Forbidden Fruit: 1st Piece (Victor Entertainment/JPU Records)

…nkairo” utilizes more electronics than the opening pair, even employing it effectively in some of Akane’s vocal performance. Truthfully, this chorus is probably her strongest in terms of sheer power of the EP. “Mujuryokuhiko” feels the most epic of the bunch, with the playful violin giving it an almost jovial feel that effectively contrasts the more rock-driven nature of the rest of the group. Ayasa’s solo in this song is a real stunner. Last in t…

December 20th, 2023 Reviews

Convocation – No Dawn for the Caliginous Night (Everlasting Spew Records)

…while simultaneously being remarkably endearing all at once. The track carefully builds towards the crescendo; a combination of layered growls and choral voicings from Shape of Despair’s Natalie Koskinen entwine with rumbling guitars and soothing organ/cello to hit a nearly indescribable high. This is funeral doom at its zenith, and it’s only track one. Oh, and according to the band, the beginning of the song features the literal sound of a black…

December 19th, 2023 Features

Katarina McGinn Best-of 2023

…ome impressive amount of energy behind it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfLYC833OFE 12. Akira Kuro “New Reality” Frantic metalcore riffing and upbeat electronics fuse together to create a sonic dreamscape that’s both addictive and full of abrasion. Not to mention some big hooks in the chorus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hddAWZ-Nzpo 11. Dimrays “Everlasting” Big grooves, chunky riffs, and an incredibly catchy build up to a powerhouse chorus….

December 16th, 2023 Concert Reviews

Cattle Decapitation / Immolation / Sanguisugabogg / Castrator – November 21, 2023 – The Orpheum, Tampa, FL

…ir show at said Decibel tour this year was so intensely good, that they briefly inspired yours truly to unretire from the mosh pit, if only for a short foray. While we don’t see that happening again this time around, there was palpable excitement when the death/grind legends announced a North American headline run in support of their latest, Terrasite, to which has been an unsurprising standout amongst a crowded field of quality releases in 2023….

December 15th, 2023 Reviews

Sorcerer – Reign of the Reaper (Metal Blade)

…eatest Sorcerer song delivered to date. Elements of the devil himself vocally as well as musically creep in to segments of the title track, while vocalist Anders Engberg uses his resourceful bellow in lower to mid-range capacity for the majestic “Unveiling Blasphemy”. Consciously focusing on shorter or faster material next to the expected epic doom traits gives a bit more explosive energy when taking in songs such as “Thy Kingdom Will Come” as wel…

December 15th, 2023 Reviews

Therion – Leviathan III (Napalm Records)

…hen, certain releases have been as strong while others a bit weaker. Leviathan III sits more in that former category, an album that will appeal to their wide reaching global fanbase while hopefully gaining some new followers to the flock. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzP0Ucd2aHo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6YCVSqHOgA Therion on Facebook…

December 14th, 2023 Features

Axenstar – Victorious Symphony

…rwild: That’s another issue, I guess. We’ve never been a touring band; we always do a couple of shows when we release an album. It will be the same this time around. We will do a release show in January or February, play a couple of gigs in Sweden. Hopefully some festivals in the summer. Nothing has been decided yet. I know a lot of people want us to do tours, but it’s just not up to us to decide. We will do our best. https://www.youtube.com/watch…