Mob Rules – Celebration Day – 30 Years of Mob Rules (Steamhammer/SPV)
Compilation albums used to serve two purposes in an artist’s career. First, to provide a welcome break in the normal record/tour/record cycle, and second, to get one record closer to finishing out a current...
Violet Eternal – Reload the Violet (Rockshots Records)
Continental divides no longer pose an issue when the desire to create music trumps everything. Violet Eternal consists of Japanese guitarist Jien Takahashi and Italian vocalist Ivan Giannini – the former part of acts...
Togenashi Togeari – Togeari (Universal Music)
Admittedly, not the most metallic looking cover art in the world but then again the music isn't the most metallic either. Nonetheless, Togenashi Togeari (トゲナシトゲアリ) have been a band on this scribe's radar for...
Vulture – The Sentinels March
Photo: Robin Waechtershaeuser
Continuing their rise up the heavy metal ranks, Vulture blazes a trail that may be familiar to some, yet their conviction cannot be denied. Embracing elements of the speed, thrash, and old...
Amiensus – Reclamation part 1 (M-Theory Audio)
Re-emerging after four years, with 2020's Abreaction being their last release, Amiensus also sport a new label in tow. Always an exciting act due to their innovative approach to darkness, operating in waters that...
The Ghost Inside – Searching for Solace (Epitaph)
Now four years removed from their self-titled album, The Ghost Inside return while looking ahead to expand their sonic palate. Searching for Solace continues the band's energetic and abrasive approach to metalcore, but also...
Tombstoner – Rot Stink Rip (Redefining Darkness Records)
Not very often do you see two sets of brothers joining together for a band – but that’s what we have here from Staten Island, NY for Tombstoner. Arriving on the scene in 2019,...
Necrot – Conquer Without Division
Photo: Chris Johnston
When it comes to the current breed of death metal acts circulating the scene, one band garnering a healthy amount of acclaim, attention, and buzz would be Oakland, California’s Necrot. Since forming...
Accept – Humanoid (Napalm Records)
A household name in the traditional metal scene, Accept continues to execute in their own lane – trends be damned. With guitarist Wolf Hoffmann at the helm, the intercontinental group of musicians in the...
Disbelief – Killing Karma (Listenable Records)
Comfortably cruising along since arriving on the scene in 1990, German band Disbelief has been a steady force for the underground metal movement. North America may remember this act best during the mid-2000’s, when...