Forming in 2014, Philadelphia, PA is home ground for The End A.D. – an East Coast act that embraces their hardcore influences as much as their metal, making for a potent blend on their debut full-length album "Scorched Earth". The 12-song record runs the gamut from quicker hitting, heads down arrangements that get the job…
Once you establish your talent and a fan base, opportunities abound for musicians to flex their collective muscles and set their sights on new creative endeavors. Kryptonite is another example of assembling musicians from other known acts in the melodic hard rock/metal community and putting out their self-titled 11 song debut record. Singer Jacob Samuel…
The third studio album from Mystic Prophecy would be the last one to feature Gus G on guitar – as he would decide to pare down his band activities to focus more on Firewind. "Never Ending" showcases the German/Greek unit in fine form, displaying a carefully crafted mix of heavy/power metal with occasional thrash flashes.…
French power metal with plenty of vocal harmonies on this second album "Return of the Cosmic Men". Galderia possess a unique situation in that much of the singing for these 10 songs contain dual or trio lead vocal moments between Sebastien Chabot, Thomas Schmitt, and Bob Saliba beyond their guitar, guitar, and bass duties respectively…
Texas metal band Shattered Sun vaulted into the landscape thanks to their debut album and subsequent high profile touring with Testament, Slayer, and the final incarnation of the Mayhem festival throughout North America. "The Evolution of Anger" as the follow-up display that experience and growth necessary to sustain interest. At their core, the quintet is…
Edmonton death/thrash trio Phylactery may be a new name to many, but they probably will not remain dormant for long based on the savage songwriting present on this full-length "Necromancy Enthroned". Coming off a three song demo release last year, it’s obvious that these gentlemen prefer to keep their music lean, their approach primal, and…
A Swedish modern metal band that hasn’t been on my radar until now with this third album "Discovery". Sitting between modern hard rock and current metal with occasional metalcore leanings, the material possesses massive commercial appeal between the bright use of keyboards, larger than life chorus hooks, and the natural crunch of the guitars and…
"Babel" is the fourth album from Italian progressive metal band Soul Secret – a conceptual piece covering love and religion in an intergalactic mission with cutting edge technology a primary focus. Difficult to tell these days what is truly progressive metal – as the definition broadens depending on the age group and exposure – but…
Featuring members of Daylight Dies, October 31, and Twisted Tower Dire among others, Walpyrgus come from Raleigh, North Carolina and aim to bring back the good times in their classic heavy metal style for "Walpyrgus Nights". They’ve been fairly productive since their 2012 beginnings, playing shows when they can as well as releasing singles, demos,…
Conveying an outlook of not writing songs, but smith them against the anvil, Italian act Wind Rose on their third album "Stonehymn" deliver another set of folk-oriented power metal tracks that live for bygone times, anthems for warriors ready to battle. Choosing to emphasize more of the orchestration, choir, and folk aspects to an already…
Veteran bands often stretch boundaries once establishing their foothold in heavy metal. Be it boredom, new members, or a genuine desire to achieve something different with each new release, that can make for polarizing debate amongst the faithful – who may abandon ship while newcomers hopefully fill that missing void. "Anticult" as the seventh studio…
After splitting with Eluveitie in 2016, three members would form Cellar Darling – embodying a new wave of heavy rock with obvious folk tinges because of their previous work. "This Is The Sound" as a debut album has a leg up on the competition, featuring stirring melodies from Anna Murphy, large, brooding riffs from guitarist/bassist…
Hailing from the Hudson Valley in New York, Dialith on their debut three-song EP "Through Stone" give the listeners a potent mix of melodic metal with modern and symphonic strains. This type of music relies on strong hooks either of a musical or vocal variety – fortunately for this act, they develop both sides in…
Best known as a beer-fueled outfit with many lyrics championing a love for alcohol, Tankard are veterans of the thrash genre – as "One Foot in the Grave" is the group’s 17th studio album since 1983. This time tackling some serious topics for "Arena of the True Lies" (discussion of internet ‘click bait’ and fake…
Previously impressed with their last studio album "Cosmic Gateway to Infinity" in 2014, these Italian thrashers return with "The Void Unending", another nine track effort that embraces a technical thrash and power stance beyond normal influences and output. Expect guitar breaks that are fluid and slightly longer than most acts, bass play that can rival…
Progressive rock has been a part of this journalist’s life since childhood. Acts like Genesis, Yes, Kansas, and Rush made an indelible imprint, opening horizons in what could be achieved musically. Norwegian act Gentle Knife embody the spirit of diverse progressive rock cut from that similar 70’s-oriented cloth on their second full-length "Clock Unwound". Incorporating…
Daring to go where no other group has gone before, Belgian act Blind Seer live up to the experimental metal tag on "Apocalypse 2.0". With influences ranging from industrial to jazz, alternative to classic metal, and a bit of electronic/outer space themes in between, it’s little wonder that these 12 songs may cause a bit…
Combining members from Arizona and Canada, Insatia develop a melodic metal outlook that straddles symphonic and power textures on their second full-length "Phoenix Aflame". Between Zoë Federoff’s soaring, angelic vocal range and the grandiose symphonic embellishments, you get the feeling that songs such as "We Are the Grey" as well as the triplet-filled title cut…
Relentless is an apt description for Goatwhore. Celebrating 20 years together as a group, "Vengeful Ascension" as their seventh studio record keeps their abrasive thrash/death/punk/black juggernaut wall of sound chugging along – adding another 10 tracks to their coffers. What’s always exciting about the quartet’s approach is their ability to inject melodic sections at surprising…
Delivering 14 cuts in a whirlwind 28 minutes, "Slime and Punishment" wastes no riff or quick-hitting transition in its crossover thrash appeal. Expanding to a five-piece as second guitarist Nick Poulos (Bat, Vulture) enters, punky efforts like "Enjoy the Night" prove the youthful energy hasn’t subsided, while the gang mentality launches "Shrednecks" into future set…
