My first encounter with SEVEN)SUNS was two weeks into 2023 at La Suspendida, the Jazz-Metal-Opera brainchild of Kilter and William Berger, a massive undertaking in which the string quartet played a vital part. (Editor’s Note: read our review here.) Wait – violas and violins in metal? Of course. Connoisseurs of the progressive would expect violin in bands like Ne Obliviscaris, but the less familiar may be surprised to find strings in heavier, speedier bands like Fleshgod Apocalypse. While such symphonic metal may not be for everyone, let’s not pretend the haunted wailing of orchestral instruments has no place in metal.
Tag Archives: Grind
ALBUM REVIEW: Burner – It All Returns to Nothing
It All Returns to Nothing (Church Road Records) is the debut album from London-based four-piece Burner, and has been highly anticipated by those in the know, who have been following the singles releases the band have been drip-feeding since the end of 2021. And Burner are the latest in a long line of artists who have found a suitable home on Church Road Records, one of the UKs thriving independent labels for heavy music.
ALBUM REVIEW: Languish – Feeding The Flames Of Annihilation
To follow the seven-year trajectory that is Languish’s ascent from debut to their third and most recent offering is rewarding and comforting. The Arizonan death grinders were born as an independent group that had neither the backing of a record label nor even song titles for their first album, opting instead to use Roman numerals. Now, the foursome has harnessed the support of Prosthetic Records and is finally starting to carve out a compelling identity, and that journey crescendos with Feeding The Flames Of Annihilation, the first full-length to feature artwork that isn’t monochromatic.
ALBUM REVIEW: Mantar – Pain Is Forever And This Is The End
Some believe that bands that are comprised of only two members will never make enjoyable music. Fortunate for us, Mantar from Hamburg, Germany would like to have a word with those folks. They have now released their fifth full-length album entitled Pain Is Forever And This Is The End (Metal Blade). Taking the sludge foundations of their earlier works and sprinkling in some black metal influences makes for ten tracks to keep your attention and release that, yes, a two-person musical group can make some kick-ass music!Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Wormrot – Hiss
It has been a very long six years, but finally, the world is graced with a new record from Singapore grindcore legends, Wormrot! Entitled Hiss and released once again through Earache (though with no #MakeEaracheGrindAgain this time – Reviews Ed), the three-piece absolutely shreds through twenty-one tracks of aggression that made the wait well worth it. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Knoll – Metempiric
In what seems to be the year of the sophomore releases for new bands in the scene, Knoll has come stomping back with their second full-length, Metempiric (Self-Released). Somewhere between grindcore and horror movies is where this record will be classified years from now. The use of shrieking vocals, traditional grindcore instrumentals, and uncomfortable brass sections (oh yeah, there are trumpets!) peppered in really make this album a formidable contender for end-of-year discussions, but is just uncomfortable overall, which is a commendation that is not handed out often.
ALBUM REVIEW: No/Mas – Consume/Deny/Repeat
Grindcore by its very nature, is polarizing. It’s either unapproachably abrasive or energizingly frenetic; disorganized noise pollution or homicidally refreshing.
No/Mas stakes their claim by presenting a grindcore record peppered with intricacies that are as subtle as they are appreciated. One or two cycles isn’t enough to fully absorb the wonders that lie within Consume/Deny/Repeat (Closed Casket Activities)
ALBUM REVIEW: A Deer A Horse – Grind
From the very first second of the new cut from A Deer A Horse, I was instantly transported. I was instantly back in high school riding a skateboard and skipping school to check out records with my bros. The tracks presented here are so reminiscent of the good old days of grunge and punk. The angst-driven lyrics; the minimalistic approach. I really got into the tones of the guitar. They are very cool and melodic which gives them their own awesome presence.
Carcass Shares New Single – “Kelly’s Meat Emporium” – New Album Incoming
Carcass is back with a new album! Torn Arteries will arrive on September 17th via their longtime label Nuclear Blast! The band also dropped a brilliant new song: “Kelly’s Meat Emporium!” You can check it out now, along with the new artwork for the album and the pre-save for streaming!
CLASSIC ALBUMS REVISITED: Alice In Chains’ Self-Titled Album Turns 25
In 1995, Alice In Chains had been feeling good on the success of their first #1 album on the charts, 1994’s Jar of Flies EP, the first EP to ever debut at #1. At the same time, they were in peril as a band, with issues stemming from Layne Staley’s addiction to heroin and other band turmoil. The band did not tour to support Jar of Flies as Layne was in rehab and they took part of 1995 off. The lost opportunities from this period, including a massive Metallica/Danzig/Suicidal Tendencies tour and a near-top-of-the bill split at Woodstock 1994 (which I am still mad about) almost killed the band. They broke up briefly too, according to Sean Kinney. Little did we know they were crafting a great album, Alice in Chains (Columbia), to wash all that pain and disappointment away for a brief moment in time.