ALBUM REVIEWS

RECENT ALBUM REVIEWS

  • TO-MERA – Exile

    These are uneasy times in the music industry. As the model changes all parties involved in the scene scramble to sustain a living at their respective careers- and you often see band members wearing multiple hats to not only control costs, but also the creative and promotional control when it comes to your ‘brand’ or…

  • DOOM’S DAY – The Unholy

    Hailing from Quebec, Canada, occult metal/ punk act Doom’s Day has a sound that mutates the old school evilness of Black Sabbath, Mercyful Fate, and The Misfits with a modern rebellious spirit. The riffing is lean and mean, you’ll hear a copious amount of organ accompaniment for funeral effect, and the vocals of DooM are…

  • MAGNUM – On The 13th Day

    Still cranking out classic melodic/ semi-progressive hard rock 34 years after their debut record, UK act Magnum do not wish to merely parade their old catalog out to consumers- as "On The 13th Day" represents another fresh 11 song set of original compositions. Vocalist Bob Catley, guitarist Tony Clarkin, keyboardist Mark Stanway, bassist Al Barrow…

  • SO MUCH FOR NOTHING – Livsgnist

    Oslo based So Much For Nothing seems to be a part of some kind of depressive black metal movement. Core members from bands such as Sarke and Urgehal have gathered here to tell us about the darkest sides of life on their first full length album. And they do so with a kind of music…

  • STELLA BLACKROSE – Death & Forever

    My first exposure to Danish hard rock quintet Stella Blackrose comes in the form of this second album "Death & Forever". I tend to gloss over bio bravado at this point in life, because if you work hard enough and long enough in this business, positive attention will come your way without emphasizing awards, chart…

  • DOMINOE – Naked But Dressed

    Easy listening melodic rock/ AOR from this veteran German act Dominoe on their fifth album “Naked But Dressed”. Guest vocalists include Larry Hoppen (Orleans) and Jimi Jamison (Survivor) among others, but main vocalist Jorg Sieber has a smooth, silky/ made for radio delivery with his melodies. “A Good Way Down” has a little bit of…

  • IRON MAN – At hålla dig över

    Do not let the Swedish title fool you. This is the band Iron Man from Maryland, USA. Formed as a Black Sabbath cover band back in the day before they started writing original material, resulting in tree solid albums in the 90s and a phenomenal comeback in 2009. Constant lineup change has been Iron Man’s…

  • ILLDISPOSED – Sense The Darkness

    The twelfth studio album for Danish death metal veterans Illdisposed, “Sense The Darkness” shows no sign of weariness for the five-piece. Vocalist/ sub-woofer Bo Summer growls with intimidation and the Jakob Batten/ Ken Holst six string slingers deal out some nifty harmony leads on “Stop Running” and low tuned riffage on “Another Kingdom Dead” that…

  • SECTU – Gerra

    Second full length album from Swedish death metal unit Sectu, "Gerra" continues their fine brand of slightly technical laden fierceness on these 11 tracks. Their debut album "Inundate" from last year didn’t possess the right hook balance to capture my attention- I think songs like "Nightwraiths" and the slower, brooding "Court of the Sloths" allow…

  • ASHENT – Inheritance

    Third studio albums tend to be landmark releases in the metal community. They say you have forever literally to compose material for the debut release- and a very short time to come up with the follow up. But by that point in time in terms of band chemistry, composition, and stylistic direction, the hope is…

  • PREDATORY VIOLENCE – Marked for Death

    Marked for Death’ is the fourth full-length from Barvarian thrashers. The production is nice and beefy and the beats come across with full authority. Unfortunately that is about the end of the good things I could find to say about this album. The band really do make an effort to come up with killer riffs…

  • SORROWED – At The Ruins

    Arising from the dead after 4 demo releases in the late 90’s to 2003, “At The Ruins” from Helsinki, Finland’s Sorrowed is an 8 song debut album in the death/thrash vein. Elements of Slayer, At The Gates, and Pantera come to the forefront, as guitarist Jape Nummenpaa’s vocals rumble with steady, stirring screeches and screams.…

  • VENTURIA – Dawn Of A New Era

    The third album from French melodic/ semi-progressive metal band Venturia “Dawn of a New Era” contains a series of changes which explain the four year gap between releases. Guitarist/ keyboardist Charly Sahona took over the male lead vocals from Marc Ferreira when he parted ways with the group in 2009. In October 2010, long time…

  • SPHERIC UNIVERSE EXPERIENCE – The New Eve

    Growth can be astonishing, perplexing, and uncomfortable- especially within the progressive metal spectrum. It’s a tightrope every musician in the genre walks, the ability to stretch, expand, and forge new territory with every album- while also hoping your fan base joins you for the adventure. On the fourth album from France’s Spheric Universe Experience “The…

  • THY MAJESTIE – ShiHuangDi

    It’s exciting to watch the progress of a band album to album- especially if you are fortunate to chart said progress through your journalistic endeavors. Starting in 2000 with their debut album “The Lasting Power”, Italy’s Thy Majestie has evolved from a more symphonic oriented metal act to one with power and progressive elements, shedding…

  • EX DEO – Caligvla

    In an unusual twist, a side project contains the same members as the main act- as the six piece symphonic/ epic death metal band Ex Deo normally rip things up with the hyper blast Canadian group Kataklysm. Reaching back into ancient Roman themes for their lyrical topics (and wardrobe), the second album “Caligvla” relies as…

  • NEURASTHENIA – Possessed By Your Omen

      A compilation of sorts from two previous albums, demo recordings, and a cover of Kiss’ “I Love It Loud”, this 11 song record “Possessed By Your Omen” comes from the Italian metal act Neurasthenia- who seem to straddle the fence of power and thrash based on my ears. Many of the faster sections within…

  • ELVENKING – Era

    The sixth album from Italian melodic power/ folk metal act Elvenking "Era" continues to position the group uniquely, with their willingness to cross borders for the sake of individual sonic development. This particular 12 song outing appears to have the sextet incorporating heavier, slightly melodic death terrain on certain tracks- yet still delivering the crowd…

  • GOTHIC KNIGHTS – Reflections From The Other Side

    The fourth album from New York City veteran power metal sextet Gothic Knights comes nine years beyond their last effort "Up From The Ashes"- one that seemed to be met with mixed response from the fans and critics as original vocalist Rick Sanchez returned to the fold. Taking the time to set up their own…

  • SILENCER – The Great Bear

    Another act I’ve been fortunate enough to take in since their early unsigned days is this Colorado metal band Silencer. On this latest release "The Great Bear", the quartet appear to be reaching back into the past a touch in terms of riff inspiration- using some of the 70’s and early 80’s straightforward hard rock…

  • STRIKER – Armed To The Teeth

    Edmonton, Canada: best known in my mind for sports hockey legend Wayne Gretsky and the Oilers winning the NHL Stanley Cup five times from 1984-1990. The quintet Striker hail from these parts, and on this second record "Armed To The Teeth" unleash their take on the traditional power metal movement.  Immediacy exists with the high…

  • THE MYSTERY – Apocalypse 666

    One thing I’ve learned studying the metal genre I hold near and dear to my soul- certain countries revere familiar styles no matter what may be fashionable, trendy, or overwhelmingly popular. Germany may be the mecca of metal due to its long history to support the movement in its infancy, and no matter what seems…

  • DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT – By a Thread – Live in London 2011

    Back in November 2011, Devin Townsend attempted and pulled off an extraordinary set of performances. In four consecutive evenings, he played all four DTP full-length releases in their entirety – ‘Ki’, ‘Addicted’, ‘Deconstruction’ and ‘Ghost’. Fans of Devin and his output will already know that each of these records had a completely unique sound and…

  • SCORNAGE – ReaFEARance

    Pillaging the people since their 1998 foundation, Germany’s Scornage release their fourth album "ReaFEARance" and wish to make their thrash presence felt. Combining the precise tight riff principles of the Bay Area with the Mille-like vocal roar of their domestic roots, songs like "Frozen Throne" and the Death Angel-esque "Fury" ensure modicum amounts of neck…

  • BEDEMON – Symphony Of Shadows

    10 years after the untimely death of songwriter, guitarist, and Bedemon visionary Randy Palmer, Finnish label Svart Records releases this 9 song, 60 minute doom metal effort. Still on board is Mike Matthews for bass and lead guitars, Geof O’Keefe on drums and second lead guitar, plus Craig Junghandel on vocals. For those in the…

  • DRONE – For Torch and Crown

    Winning the Wacken Metal Battle back in 2006, this act from Celle, Lower Saxony Germany is now on their third studio platter with "For Torch And Crown". The opening strains of "Format C" evoke memories of "Blackend" from Metallica, but once the main riff and good cop/ bad cop vocals kick into gear, you get…

  • HOODED MENACE – Effigies of Evil

    Finally I was able to figure out what all the fuzz was about. Hooded Menace has been a name that I have only taken notice of but never have dedicated any time to listen to. When their latest opus "Effigies of Evil" dropped in my mailbox I was excited to give it a listen and…

  • HESS – Living In Yesterday

    Productivity promotes a steady paycheck- a necessary byproduct from a lean economy and advanced technology where the consumer has 80 different things vying for his attention, consumption, and wallet. A musician who hopes to carve out a living in 2012 needs to keep their eyes on a steady flow of product and promotion – taking…

  • TRIUMPH – Live At Sweden Rock Festival

    A fixture on the scene for the late 70’s and most of the 80’s, Canada’s Triumph return to the prestigious Sweden Rock Festival for a reunion show and here is their latest output. The power trio of hard rock sticks to their 1976-1983 studio days for this 10 song album, mixing up their early fiery…

  • SWALLOW THE SUN – Emerald Forest And The Blackbird

    When you deal with harsh winters, days of darkness and a stoic, almost tranquil nature to personal contact- you gain ideal conditions for a musician to channel some form of consistent stressors into a metal outlet. It shouldn’t be surprising that many musicians from Finland turn to equally diverse sounds – using their environment and…