Skeletonwitch is the kind of band that makes you feel good, no matter what. Many people can say the band does not bring anything new to the table and to be completely honest… It’s kind of true. From day one they had the good sense of doing their music always focussing on getting good songs, one thing that most extreme bands have lost. That ladies and gentleman, sets this band apart.Continue reading
Category Archives: Album Reviews
Satyricon – Satyricon
Having emerged as an exciting young black metal band amidst the infernal chaos of the early 90s Norwegian scene, Satyricon have, over the years, dared to do what many of extreme metal’s purists would scold them for; change. Needless to say, the band have faced more than their share of criticism for the shifts in their sound, and while it’s true that their much rawer early material is still generally regarded more favourably, there is still a huge audience for Satyricon, and one which will be awaiting their newest offering with baited breath.Continue reading
Ihsahn – Das Seelenbrechen
As a man of many talents, Vegard “Ihsahn” Tveitan has long drawn inspiration from many genres of music which has ensured the works of both seminal Black Metallers Emperor, Folk project Hardingrock, the classically inclined Peccatum and his sprawling progressive solo work have all remained at the forefront of innovation.Continue reading
Mael Mordha – Damned When Dead
Don’t get me wrong, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with Scandinavian folk metal, but when a band enters drawing from their own heritage rather than relying on Vikings and Thor, it’s like the first breath after choking. Mael Mordha is that breath of air. Hailing from Dublin in Ireland, this four-piece take their love of doom and throws in a hefty dose of Gaelic folk music. Their interest in Irish heritage doesn’t stop with the music though, from their lyrics right down to their name itself, everything is tied in with ancient Irish events.Continue reading
A Storm Of Light – Nations To Flames
Brooklyn, New York-based post metal collective A Storm Of Light have just released their fourth album, Nations To Flames (Southern Lord), and upped their game significantly. Released through their new label, Southern Lord, Nations To Flames was produced by Travis Kammeyer and features guest appearances from Soundgarden‘s Kim Thayil and Will Lindsay of Indian & Nachtmystium.Continue reading
Bloody Hammers – Spiritual Relics
Ah, “Occult Rock”. The most oversaturated strand of the already dripping sponge of Doom, featuring some of the most generic, over-promoted bands in recent history. Chuck in a ‘Master Of Reality’ logo font, some boobies and a pentagram on the cover, and I wasn’t overly enthused going into Spiritual Relics (Soulseller), Bloody Hammers’ second LP.Continue reading
Eibon La Furies – The Immoral Compass
Underground metal is often a “Damned if you do, damned if you don’t” playground. Fall in line, play it safe and fail to stand out from the crowd but avoid the slings and arrows, or produce something distinctive and open yourself up for criticism if it doesn’t quite come off (and sometimes, even if it does).Continue reading
Vulture Industries – The Tower
Released by Seasons Of Mist, The Tower is Vulture Industries’ third album. It’s also the third round of press that will compare them to Arcturus, which is both fair and unfair concurrently. See, vocalist Bjornar Nilsen sounds like Trickster G/Garm/Kristopher Rygg. A lot. So much so, I actually Googled just to check it wasn’t another alter-ego. It isn’t. We can move on now. Elephant discussed.Continue reading
Queens Of The Stone Age – …Like Clockwork
It is fair to say you do not get the predictable with Josh Homme and Queens Of The Stone Age, even in their less successful moments there is plenty to chew upon and ultimately find great pleasure within. The same can be said about …Like Clockwork the sixth album from the band. From start to finish it intrigues and magnetically draws in the senses and emotions, yet just as easily it escapes those self-same passions and leaves you feeling flat and pining for the early days when the band led the field in guitar sculpted anthemic psyched out rock ‘n’ roll.Continue reading
Armed For Apocalypse – The Road Will End
Who says that heavy has to be played on a seven or eight string guitar? Returning to defying this trend are Armed For Apocalypse, a four-piece from California who are creating a blisteringly heavy track on just six strings. Returning with their second album, The Road will End (Ironclad Recordings) grinds its way through 40 minutes of pure sludgecore destruction.Continue reading