Formed in 2012, Swedish true metal warriors Brothers of Metal return with all the riffs on third full-length studio release Fimbulvinter (AFM Records). Consisting of eight members, four of whom share two surnames without actually being related, does seem to confuse some people for some reason. Although to be fair, eight-piece bands aren’t exactly common in metal, and one with three vocalists and three guitarists even less so.Continue reading
Tag Archives: Gary Alcock
ALBUM REVIEW: Devin Townsend – Powernerd
Everyone likes a challenge. Devin Townsend more than most. Each new record is about setting goals and attempting to achieve them. Whether it’s an introspective deep dive or an explosion of absurdist non-conformity, the progressive polymath’s albums always tend to reflect his state of mind, even if it happens to be completely barking at that particular time.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Feral – To Usurp The Thrones – Transcending Obscurity Records
For reasons best known to themselves, some bands deliberately go out of their way to disguise their influences and inspirations. Feral are not some bands. One listen to To Usurp the Thrones (Transcending Obscurity Records) and everything is perfectly clear.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: The Crown – Crown of Thorns
It was only ever a matter of time until Swedish death metal legends The Crown titled an album after their previous name. Known as Crown of Thorns from their inception in 1990 until their brief demise in 2004, the band reformed five years later and has continued to produce some of the country’s finest and crunchiest Death Metal riffs.
5 MINUTE REVIEW: The Black Dahlia Murder – “Servitude”
Check out our review of the new album from The Black Dahlia Murder – “Servitude” coming soon from Metal Blade Records.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: The Black Dahlia Murder – Servitude
Replacing the irreplaceable is an impossible task so when the tragic news about Trevor Strnad broke in May 2022, many were left wondering what was next for The Black Dahlia Murder. When the Detroit death metal act revealed their intention to carry on, the next question was who would be chosen to fill that huge, bespectacled void.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Nightwish – Yesterwynde
Despite the unwavering presence of founder member, composer, and keyboard player Tuomas Holopainen, the Nightwish of today is very different to the Nightwish which began in 1996. From a three-track demo to multi-million dollar selling albums featuring full orchestras and huge production values, the band has grown from three Finnish musicians to becoming a multinational enterprise.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Flotsam And Jetsam – I Am The Weapon
Beginning life as Paradox, Dogz, and slightly more embarrassingly, Dredlox, Flotsam and Jetsam has enjoyed/endured somewhat of a staggered career trajectory since 1984. Taking the Metal world by storm with Doomsday For The Deceiver in 1986, the Arizona thrashers delivered the equally impressive No Place For Disgrace a couple of years later, and the world, as they say, looked to be their oyster.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Nile – The Underworld Awaits Us All
In his thirty-one years as frontman of Egypt-obsessed extreme death metal act Nile, founder member Karl Sanders has remained completely true to his original vision. An unrelenting desire to create the most brutal technical death metal riffs known to man. A quest for modern musical perfection using ancient history as the central inspiration. And a steadfast refusal to wear any kind of leg covering that goes more than six inches past the knee. With all of these things, Sanders knows absolutely no compromise.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Hammerfall – Avenge The Fallen
Subtlety and understatement have never been a priority for Hammerfall. Why choose one studded wristband when twenty will do? Well, with more zips and leather than a night at The Blue Oyster (one for the Police Academy fans there) and more chains than a medieval prison, the Swedish heavy metal legends are back with their thirteenth studio album Avenge The Fallen (Nuclear Blast Records).Continue reading