Releasing their eleventh studio album in 22 years, 1977 contains a lot of the trademark symphonic/gothic metal layers Sirenia has been well-known and revered for. At the same time, there’s a fresh synthwave/pop Read more […]
Many ardent listeners in power metal notice distinctions even within that category depending on how the musicians choose to approach their sound, tones, and influences. In the case of German quartet Stormage, Read more […]
Incorporating a NWOBHM style into blackened thrash angles, Singapore act The Ironfist unleash Tyrant’s Return – the fourth studio album and third in the last three years. When given the opportunity Read more […]
Inspiration comes in many forms. For guitarist Austin Dixon, formerly of power metal act Sonic Prophecy, the desire to achieve an artist driven project album a la Avantasia or Star One set the stage for Read more […]
Back in 2020, Devildriver released the first part of a double album in the form of Dealing with Demons. At the beginning of the onset of COVID-19, and at a time where touring was not happening. It was Read more […]
Photo credit: Matty Thrash Having put the metal world on notice with their brand of dreamlike melancholy, Fires in the Distance have worked hard to refine their sound to achieve a higher level of potency. Read more […]
The original run for Swedish death metal act Vomitory went from the late 80’s until 2013 – with eight fine studio albums assaulting the airwaves. Most ardent followers have their favorites (put Blood Read more […]
Newcomers Olkoth have been teasing listeners for a while now with their brand of blackened death metal, starting with a well received demo back in 2019 that piqued more than a few ears. A single “Eidolon Read more […]
Editors note: Introducing our latest wordsmith Stephen Calligan Cattle Decapitation is a group that is ever in metamorphosis; much like the concept thrust forth on the cover of their latest album Terrasite. Read more […]
Successfully delivering extreme metal in two distinct outfits, guitarist Steffen Kummerer has been able to establish both Obscura and the current band under the microscope Thulcandra to a global community Read more […]
The nation of France has given us a plethora of varied metal black acts to enjoy over the years. Blut Aus Nord immediately comes to mind as one of the best both historically and currently, along with a Read more […]
South America has been an underground hotbed when it comes to heavy metal as of late. Hailing from Bogota, Columbia, Bloody Nightmare started their ascension in 2013, releasing a demo and single before Read more […]
Vancouver, Canada’s Terrifier returns to the scene six years after their previous release Weapons of Thrash Destruction (reviewed by this scribe for the site), modified to a power trio lineup from a Read more […]
When it comes to influence across the metal landscape, most artists draw inspiration from the classic elements that started it all – including the strong wave of bands across England that served as the Read more […]
In today’s modern metal marketplace, exposure is king. The court of public opinion has more weight than ever – especially through the social media/ streaming options available to all at their fingertips. Read more […]
Originally active from 2006-2013 as Speed Whöre (umlauts add that extra sinister touch), German band Speedwhore produce a primal, raw blackened thrash sound on their second-full length Visions of a Parallel Read more […]
It must seem like this Texas death metal act shot out of a cannon in terms of underground success in such a short period of time. Arriving on the scene in 2018, their debut demo Encased in Ice got the Read more […]
Photos by: Brittany Barkasi Speed metal has made quite the resurgence in the last decade plus. These days, you’ll find plenty of festivals with a large focus on this style of metal – with Hell’s Read more […]
Together now for four years, German quintet Lankester Merrin (based on a fictional character from the 1971 novel The Exorcist) produce a killer blend of melodic heavy metal that contains numerous influences Read more […]
Sporadic releases usually occur in the metal realm for a variety of plausible reasons: lineup shifts, business turmoil, general work/life issues, coupled with a global pandemic for the first time in our Read more […]
Unique amalgamations of influences these days can pay huge dividends in separating artists from the pack. Russian band Tardigrade Inferno has developed an intriguing blend of avant-garde metal that they Read more […]
If there’s a specific country perfect for epic heavy/power metal to develop from, that would be Greece. The history/mythology base alone ideal for lyrical content – inspiring musicians to craft sturdy Read more […]
Creating a sound that contains opera, jazz, and metal elements into this progressive, symphonic-oriented kaleidoscope, Oryad contains members from Colorado and Tennessee – making this a true cross-country Read more […]
The journey of an artist, and what leads to an epic breakthrough, can be important to understand to see how we’ve arrived at this moment in time. The story of the eclectic composer known as Hazard is Read more […]
Probably not as rare a story to hear as most in the music world when it comes to the latest album release for Texas-based progressive metal/rock act Heir to Madness. Under the helm of Jason Wiscarson, Read more […]
Power trio lineups present unique possibilities as far as putting the focus on the abilities of the musicians on hand. Less is more they say – building that musical telepathy to know where to take basic Read more […]
Hailing from Denmark, Chronicle contains a quartet of younger musicians content to push parameters within the thrash/death realm, intertwining aspects of old school twin-infused guitar harmonies with blackened Read more […]
Death metal is a genre with many faces, certainly being a major reason of why it’s so attractive. When it comes to the heavier variety, this scribe prefers a hefty bite, big memorable riffs, and a large Read more […]
