Category Archives: Album Reviews

Venom Inc. – Avé

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Nowadays rightly regarded as one of the most influential bands in the history of Extreme Metal, at the time, Newcastle Neanderthals, Venom, were dismissed as hideous noise polluters by many of their numerous critics. Happily, Venom never gave one single, solitary fuck, and from 1981 to 1985 went on to consolidate themselves as one of the UK scene’s major players. From essential albums like Welcome to Hell, and Black Metal (Neat Records) to their parent-scaring live performance on Channel 4’s tea-time Metal show ECT (Extra Celestial Transmission), where many people got to witness stage diving for the first time, it was clear that Venom were a force to be reckoned with.Continue reading →


Cormorant – Diaspora

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Across a four-album lifespan, Bay Area’s Cormorant had consistently proven to be one of metal’s true and brightest hidden gems, offering a branch of Black Metal which takes as much worship from progressive giants such as King Crimson as it does from Extreme Metal’s icons. Still independent to this day, Cormorant have always showcased a meticulous detail that encompasses not only their rich and textured music, but even down to their vibrant, detailed and often awe-inspiring artwork. Having always shown true forward thinking and near limitless artistry, it is simply staggering that their fifth release Diaspora (self-released) breaks their mould even further, and is without a doubt their boldest offering to date.Continue reading →


Queens Of The Stone Age – Villains

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It’s hard for established bands to take risks in the landscape that is 2017 in music. Especially when your band comes attached with a cultural cache like Queens Of The Stone Age, on album number seven, with love from the critics, indie cred, and what amounts to major label distro. Having conquered many frontiers as a headliner, but still looking for the challenge, QOTSA teamed up with hit-making pop and dance producer Mark Robson to create what would become Villains (Matador). Ronson’s name comes with little to no background in the greasy stoner rock the band is known for, but rather for putting Amy Winehouse, Adele, Lady Gaga and the ubiquitous (for better or worse) ‘Uptown Funk’ with Bruno Mars on the map to the tune of millions in sales. Continue reading →


Incantation – Profane Nexus

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How to word this? Profane Nexus (Relapse Records), the tenth studio album from New York death metal institution, Incantation is not bad. Good even. Longtime followers need not concern, there is enough Death and Doom to go around on Profane Nexus, but I just feel like more could’ve been left out on the field this time around. Continue reading →


Cognitive Dissonance III

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Ghost Cult’s dive beneath the crust into the dirty, disgusting and sub-underground is back, as Richie HR returns with a round-up most fetid for your vulgar delectation…Continue reading →


Russkaja – Kosmopoliturbo

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As a semi-renowned gobshite par excellence, it’s genuinely not often I’m confused, but the levels of confusion upon first listening to Russkaja’s latest droppings Kosmopoliturbo (Napalm) caused existential crisis levels of befuddlement.Continue reading →


Loviatar – Loviatar

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Four songs. That’s right. Just. Four. Songs. But it’s enough to really get the blood pumping. Loviatar, the name in and of itself, is a Scandinavian Death Goddess. You see where I’m going with this. (I saw with a wicked smile on my face.) The album Loviatar (Prosthetic) is a mystical magical trip through the hinterlands. Take the name of the songs, ‘Stygian Wyrm’ (parts 1,2, and 3). Stygian relates to the river Styx. In literary terms it means very dark. A wyrm is a large sea serpent with wings.Continue reading →


Adagio – Life

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Times have been rather tumultuous for French progressive metal stalwarts Adagio since the release of their last album Archangels In Black (Listenable) way back in 2009. A continuing series of vocalist setbacks saw numerous changes in that time, with the latest seeing Mats Levén single year duration come to an end with him being succeeded by Kelly Carpenter. Jelly Cardarelli and Mayline Gautie have also joined as drummer and violinist respectfully. A mammoth wait for an album was also heightened by a crowdfunding campaign, and thus, the promise of big things to come. Now finally the follow-up arrives, revealing what is their most ambitious work to date, which sadly is not entirely a saving grace.Continue reading →


Wage War – Deadweight

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Ahh, Metalcore. That much maligned subgenre of metal that some naysayers would have you believe was dead and gone. But here come Wage War from Florida to press the reset button with their sophomore album Deadweight (Fearless) and show you Metalcore is far from over.Continue reading →