Forming out of the remnants of other local New England bands, Goldenhall from Rhode Island arose in the fall of 2014, honing in on symphonic power metal sound with prominent melodic death influences for Read more […]
A UK band containing Skyclad guitarist Dave Pugh, Merichane originally hit the scene from 1999-2008 before separating – revitalizing in 2013 to finally put out this debut four song EP. Monstrous Contagious Read more […]
The Swedes in Ablaze my Sorrow return with Black, their first full length album in 14(!) years. Back in the day, they were a rather promising melodic death metal act and could probably have reached the Read more […]
Old school metalheads remember this Texas band Helstar in the 1980’s – Burning Star and Remnants of War essential early Combat staples, while a move to Metal Blade and lineup shuffles put them in Yngwie Read more […]
The power/thrash band Shatter Messiah call Akron, Ohio home base – together since 2006 while maintaining a decent lineup of seasoned players. Guitarist Curran Murphy and drummer Robert Falzone met up Read more […]
If you are going to play old school Swedish death metal and name yourself after a Dismember song, at least pick a good one right? At some point, that had to be the thought process behind Carnal Tomb, Read more […]
It’s often said that you have to work for the best things in life. There has to be some sort of challenge in order to reap the reward, or it lacks significance or grandeur. While it may sound like Read more […]
The second release from California-based Ghoulgotha brings more of their gloomy death metal to the world. The music goes hand in hand with the whole old school scene that is so popular these days but applies Read more […]
Sometimes albums better serve as time capsules. In the case of Infectology’s second album, it’s like instantly being transported back to the mid ‘90s, where brutal death metal reigned supreme. Read more […]
No matter how many times it happens, it’s still awesome to come across a random find on Bandcamp that has the “wow factor.” It’s also cool to see how newer influences can weigh in on a band’s Read more […]
For some reason, it’s always somewhat strange to hear a European band sound more American. Perhaps it’s because of that older view where Europe always seemed to have one-up on us North American folks Read more […]
God Forbid anyone? Whether or not the band in question influenced Reject the Sickness is one left suited to the band, it’s hard not to think that there must be some sort of connection given the penchant Read more […]
Prosperous times for Dutch symphonic metal meets gothic rock band Delain these days. Originally beginning as a studio project a decade ago, they’ve transformed into a viable, active touring entity – Read more […]
Taking the old school death metal route today usually means that you won’t find much in the realms of individual identity. The sound has been revitalized and overplayed. So if you are going to do it Read more […]
Ever long for the days where there was something magical about the melodic death metal genre? You know, the days when the guitar harmonies ruled above all, and upbeat yet thrashy melodies were of the Read more […]
Old school traditional metal elevates heart rates, encourages simulation instrument air maneuvers and remains a constant underpinning in a scene looking for vitality in these diverse, crossing sub-genre Read more […]
When one thinks of brutal death metal and all its variants, slam has to be the one with the weakest reputation (outside of deathcore). Some of it is deservedly so, but like with most stereotypes, there’s Read more […]
As the push towards a digital age continues to march forward, the need for relevant art and design remains. Take a gander at Epidermia’s second effort, Leprocomio, and it’s hard to argue that the Read more […]
In today’s market, splits are pretty commonplace. A nice way to exposure one or both bands, given the scenario, and sometimes a cool collector’s piece. So it’s even more interesting when a band Read more […]
Thwarted by the border patrol in the fall of 2015 due to improper work visas, Brazilian power metallers Hibria finally got things in order to hit North America this August for a brief month-long tour on Read more […]
Even though this writer is far from a “sports guy,” it’s hard to look at that title and not think March Madness. But instead of bringing some hoops, Thirteenth Tambourine (if you couldn’t tell Read more […]
Anyone familiar with the Kathleen Turner/Michael Douglas 80’s action-adventure comedy movies Romancing the Stone as well as the follow up Jewel of the Nile will get the irony of this heavy metal act’s Read more […]
The brainchild of Deeds of Flesh’s Craig Peters, Destroying the Devoid is making sure not to be a pale imitation of said act. In fact, one may be pleasantly surprised when they lay into Paramnesia, Read more […]
Our neighbors to the north in Canada continue to pump out a healthy swath of metal bands across the landscape. For years ruling on an extreme terrain, there’s always been lurking in the underground just Read more […]
There must be something in the water in Colorado, as the states output of quality metal over the past few years has been very consistent. Maybe that’s why on Wayfarer’s latest release, Old Souls, Read more […]
Last year saw the first real signs of trouble for Skeletonwitch, as vocalist Chance Garnette departed and was subsequently replaced by Wolvhammer’s Adam Clemans. As one of metal’s more consistent and Read more […]
Following a similar trajectory to Rings of Saturn, Infant Annihilator take a much more technical approach to deathcore. They even have had similar controversy in regards to recording “help.” IA also Read more […]
What’s a band like Soilwork to do? Riding on a creative high from the last two (well, three for this scribe), it’s inevitable that some songs get tossed to the wayside. Being a band that has always Read more […]
Somewhat of a hidden gem in Finnish black metal lore, Baptism, or rather, sole proprietor Lord Sargofagian, have been towing BM hard line since 1998. While fanfare has eluded Baptism, there remains an Read more […]
Having been around on this giant mud ball long enough, I’ve been fortunate to hear how metal has expanded over the decades and am appreciative of its progression in various forms. Bands need to push Read more […]
