ALBUM REVIEW: Daron Malakian and Scars On Broadway – Addicted to Violence


Daron Malakian of System of a Down is back with his solo project, Scars on Broadway. Addicted to Violence (Scarred For Life) marks the project’s second album without the drummer who played on the project’s first album and made it feel like a more direct extension of System of a Down. Much like the band that put these guys on the map, there is, at times, a punk feel that owes a great deal to the Dead Kennedys. Where this project finds its own identity is stepping away from some of the Hip-Hop bounce that drove Nu-Metal. This does not mean it forsakes groove; it approaches it differently, which can be heard on a song like “Satan Hussein.”Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Open Kasket – Trials Of Failure


 

You either love Beatdown Death Metal and all its violence-even-though-it’s-carefully-controlled live atmosphere, or you think it’s a bunch of amped-up spinkickers with no respect for their surroundings.Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: VOLA – Friend Of A Phantom


Like with their last record a three year wait brings us Friend of A Phantom (Mascot Label Group), the new album from those musically restless Scandinavians VOLA. Their fourth album serves up more of their dynamic wall of sound, which mixes Metal heaviness, Prog Rock changeability, in your face electronica and radio friendly hooks.Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Gaerea – Coma


Back in 2022, Portuguese Extreme Metal recluses Gaerea released Mirage (Season of Mist), my album of the year. It was the first time I had been exposed to the shrouded-in-mystery outfit, but it was nearly impossible to choose any other record to headline that year.Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Hell Is Other People – Moirae


Aside from having one of the most spot-on names, Hell Is Other People also meticulously and so magnificently presents a style of metal that marries atmospheric/blackened vocals and post-Rock instrumentals.Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Blue Oyster Cult – 50th Anniversary Live – Second Night


Majestic, mysterious, magical Blue Oyster Cult career once again down “Hot Rails To Hell”. Join the latest celebration of the most supernatural, sinful and iconic rock ’n’ roll outfit from the Lovecraftian woods, mists and shores of Long Island.Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Carnophage – Matter Of A Darker Nature


In thirty-three minutes, Carnophage balance some of the most fetid vocals with cheeky technical bluster, leaving a mark on Matter Of A Darker Nature (Transcending Obscurity Records) which leaves an enthusiastic Brutal/Tech-Death impression.Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Witherfall – Sounds of the Forgotten


All too often bands falling under the “Power Metal” banner, lack power,  diminishing many of the key elements, such as aggression, that are necessary for metal.  On Sounds of the Forgotten (DeathWave Records) Witherfall take a heavier route, drawing from the mid-1980s. This tie to Thrash even led to singer Joseph Micheal taking the mantle from the late Warrel Dane to front Sanctuary for a reunion tour. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Daath – The Deceivers


After 13 years, Dååth has returned with their new album, The Deceivers (Metal Blade records).

The band, helmed by sole founding member Eyal Levi, returns to a different musical landscape. Metal has perhaps the most loyal fan base of any genre of music, yet the climate is much different than when the band released their self-titled album in 2010. Death Metal is now more regularly integrated with Black Metal and Metalcore. Record companies often market Pop acts as Metal, depending on the thought police of the internet to defend them with cries of gatekeeping, when voices rise against this.Continue reading