Albums like this just make me shrug with indifference. On one hand I really can’t find much wrong with it. “The American Nightmare” certainly isn’t a weak album. But on the other hand, it does absolutely nothing for me. Dirtfedd give us a pretty diverse metalcore album here. Opener “Solute” is sort of a heavier […]

This Russian black metal outfit plays a no-frills, back to basics version of the genre. No choirs, no classical music, no synths or keys, no acoustic interludes or Viking themes or mouth harps or crackly atmospheric ambience. Just straight up buzzy black metal in the vein of early Gorgoroth. Compositions are strong, with melodies throughout […]

It is apparent that the recent wave of folk metal is becoming the new metalcore. After the genre received quite a boost in the last year or so bands have been popping up left and right with traditional Scandinavian infused metal. The problem is the cheese factor has escalated and it seems labels jump at […]

Surviving in the underground for over ten years, one-man entity Forest of Shadows has delivered some honest and passionate work. The sentimental value of Nicals Frohagen’s music is undeniable and this sophomore release continues his intimate path. Forest of Shadows is a dark/doom metal project. Fans of meaningful music such as Novembre, Swallow the Sun, […]

I went to see Dimmu Borgir a few years ago here in AZ. Before the show, my buddy and I went across the street to get some pre-show dinner at a popular cantina – the kind of place that’s usually a meet-market on the weekends for the image-conscious Scottsdale crowd. So imagine our surprise when […]

Norwegian viking folk metal band Ásmegin has been in existence since 1998 yet Arv is just their second full length release. I have known of their existence for some eight years, ever since Marius tried to set up a multiple language interview between me and a band on his label. The positive that came out […]

Was there really such a demand for the video from Lair of the Minotaur’s last album that it has to be put out on DVD with unrated and TV edit versions? Apparently so, so Southern Lord has put both versions of Gary Smithson’s video on a DVD along with behind the scenes interviews and footage, […]

From 1997’s Lupine Essence to this years upcoming Crógacht, Germany’s Suidakra have been one of metals most consistent yet underrated acts. Whether plying Celtic/folk ish black metal as their early releases, or melodic death metal like their middle set of releases the core of Arkadius and Marcel Schoenen have forged on under the Suidakra banner […]

After hitting the melodic death metal jackpot with Arsis’s debut back in 2004, after a small wait, Willotip appear have tried their hand in uncovering another melodeath band in Houston’s As Eden Burns, though it has less spectacular, if solid results. While certainly a busy melodeath metal band similar to Arsis, there’s a lack of […]

Sadly, albums released at the end of a year usually tempt a cruel fate of being left out of the majority of top lists, which is sometimes nothing else but a gross injustice towards some exceptional pieces of value. Thus, Screenslaves, the ninth full-length release from Hamburg-based metallers Paragon is unconditionally one of the nominees […]

Like a sedulous apprentice, Australia looks up to its masters from Europe and America and seems to benefit a lot from the lessons given by them. Sometimes the end result is just superb, to say the least! Not only does this country’s metal scene take over the best achievements of the two biggest metal continents […]

“Infernal City Black Metal” is what Wastelander refers to themselves as. The Infernal City, I discovered through the albums press sheet, is Lansing Michigan. Now, I’m not much of a black metal fan, and really don’t know a whole lot about it, but I hear a strong early thrash influence, as well as a strong […]

Trinacria started as a joint collaboration between Ivar Bjornson of Enslaved and the two members of Norweigan electronic/noisecore outfit Fe-Mail. Afterwards, the project grew, pulling in Arve and Grutle from Enslaved for an experimental blend of both bands’ sound. Given Enslaved‘s absolutely stellar output over the years, anything these guys are involved in is sure […]

I knew nothing about this band before tossing it in, other than that fact that the album was recorded in Turkey. I’ve heard metal from all over the world, but Turkish metal is a new one for me. Wonder what it sounds like. “Cynical Code” opens with rumbly death metal churn, and a melodic solo […]

What was formerly Count Nosferatu Kommando is now The Cosa Nostra Klub, as The CNK have reinvented themselves from industrial/symphonic black to a more martial, pompous brand of electro and metal. Based on the 1930’s goth-military uniforms and the propaganda cover art, I’m already hooked. Perhaps this will deliver what similarly-themed offerings – like Marilyn […]

If you’ve heard Textures’ debut Polars or their stellar sophomore effort Drawing Circles, then you more or less know what to expect from their third release. Or do you? Silhouettes may very well be a coming of age for this talented outfit. If you’ve read the buzz about this album then you know Textures don’t […]

There’s something about Celtic music that I just find totally enthralling. It’s something I can never explain, but taps into a very deep part of me. That being said, my lineage traces to Poland and France, so I can’t even claim to be nationalistic about it. But no other music just completely detatches me from […]

German black metal outfit Inarborat takes its name from a track off Negura Bunget’s excellent Om. While their sound isn’t quite as exotic or evocative as that band’s, it’s still a well-written, convincing example of the genre. There are actually two sounds at work here – in its more frenzied moments, Inarborat conjures the frosty […]

“Kickass Bladerunner thrash!” the bands Myspace proclaims. By this I assume they mean mostly mid-paced grooving thrash, coupled with black metal-esque vocals and samples/effects that would remind one of the Bladerunner movie. Now, I’ve never seen the movie (yeah, yeah, sue me), so I can’t point out if they use samples of the flick or […]

By Any Means Necessary, despite the horrible name, are a very promising sounding and very young looking death/thrash band from Austin, Texas. Their first recorded output, this self-titled EP is three short tracks (all under 4 minutes) of pure aggression. If I had to compare, I’d say take early slayer, newer Kataklysm and Lamb of […]

Here we have a Swedish entry to the current wave of classic thrash that’s seemingly pouring out of every corner of the world. But where most of these bands are typically pretty young, Guillotine formed in 1995 under the name Holocaust by members of Nocturnal Rites. The experience shows on Blood Money, as all 11 […]

Scott “Wino” Weinrich needs absolutely no introduction to Metal fans. Even if you’re not a fan of any of his bands (The Obsessed, Spirit Caravan, The Hidden Hand, Saint Vitus) then you’ve surely at least heard his name mentioned in reverence. His name is synonymous with raw, ugly American Stoner/Doom Metal. His guitar style and […]

In this, their 30th year since the self-titled debut, Saxon releases album number 27 Into The Labyrinth. Now, when a band lasts this long there are always hills and valleys in the discography; some inspired and some less so. After spinning this CD a few times now, I am happy to report that Into The […]

In “The Art of Dying,” vocalist Joe Duplantier growls, ‘Take no possessions; I would rather travel light’ – but this thunderous, harrowing meditation on death is anything but. That track, arguably the core of The Way of All Flesh, begins with shamanic chants and tribal drumming before puncturing the veil to the other side – […]

Not to be outdone by Metal Blade’s group of teenage deathcore kids, Fate, here come Mediaskare/Century Media with their own group of growling, blasting, shredding, breakdowning kids plucked right from the halls of a San Diego High school. Though most might cringe at yet another group of snot nosed kids who can’t even buy a […]