Portuguese metallers The Voynich Code made an impact as a young force of potential back in 2015 with their self-released EP Ignotum, which despite clear signs of worship of the likes Born Of Osirus, also showed some clear chops and a muscular take on Tech Metal. In such a short time they have turned into a recognisable name in the scene and the release of a full-length debut is therefore surrounded with considerable expectation.Continue reading
It is not very common where an album hits me right in the chest upon first listen. Full of Hell has been able to do just this with their latest release, Trumpeting Ecstasy (Profound Lore). Twenty four minutes is all it takes to deliver a world of chaos and blistering grindcore by these Maryland natives. The only moments where the album is not blasting your face off is when the noise plays between some of the tracks. However, that is still to keep you on edge until the next song starts.Continue reading
It’s fine. Some of us take a little longer to discover who we are and fully become ourselves. As human beings, some of us take until our thirties to become comfortable in our skin and find our niche. Others emerge from the chrysalis, butterfly wings flapping in full effect, but some of us need that time and space to explore and find what doesn’t work, before finding what does. So, it’s fine that it’s taken Motionless In White four albums to truly become who they were meant to be, because with Graveyard Shift, their first for new home Roadrunner Records, they have truly found their space to great effect.Continue reading
It’s nice to have God Dethroned joining us once again. And by that I mean another reactivation of the band not unlike they had in 1996. Yeah, extreme metal is a tricky business to try to make a living in, but lineup changes and restarts aside, it seems like this Dutch metal institution is stable enough again to crank out a new LP in The World Ablaze (Metal Blade).Continue reading
Barely a year old, Ohio’s Crypt Rot come crawling from their coffin-sized grave with Embryonic Devils (Southern Lord). It’s a fitting name for an album by former members of Ohio’s Homewrecker, as these guys are like little baby demons, with decent potential, who haven’t quite grown out of their flaming, sulfur-stinking diapers just yet.Continue reading
There used to be a time where I would keep my expectations low for a band’s sophomore release. Like many others of late, Finland’s own Foreseen has me thinking twice on leaving the bar so low with theirs; Grave Danger (20 Buck Spin), the latest from the Finish Crossover shredders is sure to wake you up in the morning faster than coffee. The album in its entirety is a straight up burner and only lets up enough for some well placed two step and mosh-worthy breakdowns.Continue reading
2017 will be seen as a monumental year for both Arjen Anthony Lucassen and for Ayreon; the band and its fanatical fan base. Significantly it will mark the first live performances by Ayreon (and a very rare live appearance by the infamously shy and reclusive Lucassen), but also sees a brand new album that revisits the conceptual narrative of one of the band’s most beloved albums, 01011001 (InsideOut). Showing a return to the sci-fi storyline of said album, The Source (Mascot) in fact acts as a prequel piece, and is the most refined and strongest album they have released for some time.Continue reading
aswekeepsearching is a refreshing cleanse to the aural pallet. Their latest offering is entitled Zia (Flowers Blossom in the Space). Zia is mostly instrumental with some uplifting vocals from Uddipan Sarmah strewn throughout like wildflowers in a field. The band hails from India and sing in Hindi. To be reductionist, it’s “world music”. So if that’s a genre you dig, then Zia is a perfect album for you.Continue reading
I’m pretty good at separating the art from the artist. James Woods’ political leanings aren’t my cup of tea, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to change the station whenever Videodrome or Casino comes on. I can ignore his tweets and enjoy the work. That’s the approach I took with All That Remains’ latest, Madness (Razor & Tie).Continue reading
The vitality of Stockholm ragers Wolfbrigade is a joy to behold. Nine albums in, and Run With The Hunted (Southern Lord) blisters with the exuberance and wild abandon of a child who has quaffed a crate of Monster, spraying vigour and speedballs of punky virility in all directions with uninhibited elation.Continue reading