I can’t think of a more perfect way for reunited/reformed Death Metal legends Entombed to return than a live version of one of their most revered albums. Yeah sure Wolverine Blues and Left Hand Path a classics, but I think Clandestine Live (Threeman Recordings) is even better and serves as a timely reminder of just how influential this band is.Continue reading
I remember hearing Fury for the first time way back when in the dark recesses of time, well 2016 to be exact, look I’m getting old and it all gets a bit blurry, ok!?! Anyway, their debut record Paramount (Triple B Records) was released to little fanfare but quickly grew in popularity in underground circles. Sophomore release Failed Entertainment (Run For Cover Records) is here and to say that it’s long-awaited would be an understatement. Way more outlets are now looking at Fury as a band to watch out for this year.Continue reading
Having already reviewed Whitechapel this year, it seems only fitting that a new After The Burial record would come along so soon after. Whilst not being in the same sphere of musical style at all both bands are at a similar point in their careers. After The Burial much like Whitechapel are also absolute masters of their sound a band that has remained pretty much unrivaled in terms of musicianship and influence.Continue reading
Sworn Amongst are one of the best-kept secrets in UK Metal – there is something familiar yet different to their approach to modern Metalcore. Indeed new EP Reclamation (Famined Records) is full to the brim with newly added strings to their musical bow.Continue reading
Within the Deathcore genre Whitechapel are one of the true originators of the sound and in 2016 they released an album called Mark Of The Blade (Metal Blade). To say it was a divisive album would be an understatement, in a story which has been told many times before the band chose to broaden their creative horizons with a cleaner production and clean vocals. In some corners new album The Valley (also Metal Blade) is being touted as a turning point.Continue reading
Metalcore has been written off that many times in the last few years I honestly lose track. But I think in some quarters the effect of bands like Killswitch Engage and Unearth still reverberate to this day. On the flip side of this though is the very real fact that much that is labelled Metalcore has been watered down to the point of sounding bland and insipid in delivery and message.Continue reading
The phrase “paid their dues” has been applied to so many bands throughout history that it may feel that this notion is now somewhat redundant, though While She Sleeps perhaps more than any other band in the UK fully deserves to have the label applied. There are only a handful of bands that have been as consistent as they have been in recent memory. And so to fourth album So What? (Sleeps Brothers / Spinefarm), and as with their previous albums we simply do not know what to expect.Continue reading
I still remember getting that first Blood Youth record Beyond Repair for review and being blown away but at just how hard-hitting and melodic it was. Never did I think though that it would take them to where they currently are. We now find them about to release new record Starve (both Rude Records) and there is a lot of anticipation surrounding it. High profile tours and high energy live shows have only added to what was already a solid foundation.Continue reading
Normally August Burns Red EPs are, believe it or not, a bunch of Xmas songs given a metal makeover. However, this time to bridge the gap between recent album, The Phantom Anthem, and the next record, they have decided to release The Phantom Sessions (both Fearless Records) which features an eclectic mix of new songs, covers and rearrangements of songs from the 2017 album.Continue reading
wars, unbeknownst to me, are from my own stomping ground of Rugby in the Midlands area of England. Their debut album, 2017’s We Are Islands After All (Spinefarm), offered up a lot of promise and it’s time to see if their new EP, As Within /// So Without (Wolf At Your Door), can build and then expand on the debut.Continue reading