Abiotic
Symbiosis
Metal Blade (2012)
South Florida's Abiotic join the death metal race as a young band. The band, over a short time, have managed to take their brand of tech-death with shades of metalcore a rather long way in catching the ears of Metal Blade. As a band that is barely two years old one could question their prowess, but that may be a … Read more
Amon Amarth
With Oden on Our Side
Metal Blade (2006)
According to the Vikings, the world will end in an apocalyptic battle known as Ragnarök, in which the dead will rise to attack the living and even the gods themselves will be torn asunder. If - or when - Loki and the forces of chaos descend on the world in a maelstrom of blood and thunder, I'd like to think … Read more
Angel Blake
Angel Blake
Metal Blade (2006)
The Crown was a good band; Angel Blake, not so much. Guitarist Marko Tervonen's decision to record a solo album seemed like an interesting move at the time. Writing all the music and performing all the instruments offered him the chance to really show what he was made of. Unfortunately, what he's apparently made of is the same milquetoast mediocrity … Read more
As I Lay Dying
Frail Words Collapse
Metal Blade (2003)
Combining the hardness of nu metal and the catchiness of pop punk, metalcore has been created. Similar to the way ska died, and everybody moved to the pop punk, perhaps this is the new installment in music that will make kids feel "underground" without having to go any further than the local Hot Topic. Walk no further than a Tower … Read more
Between the Buried and Me
The Parallax II: Future Sequence
Metal Blade (2012)
Following 2011s “precursor” style EP, The Parallax: Hypersleep Dialogues, Between the Buried and Me (hereafter known as BTBAM because it’s way easier to type) continue their foray into ever increasing curiosity. Whilst personally I’ve never been a hugely into this band - they always seemed to err just on the wrong side of pretentious wanker territory - The Parallax II: … Read more
Between the Buried and Me
The Parallax: Hypersleep Dialogues
Metal Blade (2011)
It's hard to describe the nature of Between the Buried and Me's new project, The Parallax. It is kind of like a double album, except not quite. It's divided into two releases, an EP and a future full-length album, that together tell a story about...well, honestly, I'm not quite certain. It's written pretty obtusely. But that certainly won't stop me … Read more
Bison B.C.
Lovelessness
Metal Blade (2012)
Every band reaches their peak at some point. Some blow their wads right out of the gate and spend the rest of their careers desperately trying to recreate an inexplicable combination of luck, talent, and inspiration. Some clumsily struggle through multiple albums worth of missteps before finally finding their collective voice. Others allow you to tag along on their journey … Read more
Born from Pain
War
Metal Blade (2006)
Born from Pain's fourth full-length, War, is the next logical step for the Dutch masters of hardcore. The music still draws heavily from the 90's New York hardcore scene as well as hints of late 80's thrash metal. But in addition to what you'd expect from Born from Pain, the band has thrown in a few surprises to spice up … Read more
Cancer Bats
Hail Destroyer
Metal Blade (2008)
Cancer Bats really confuse me. On one hand, they are almost astonishingly derivative and terrifyingly hip. On the other hand, there is something infectious about their brand of sludge-tinged groove metal that makes me want to drink, fuck, and party all night. And I don't even drink. Following the blueprint set down by their first full-length, Hail Destroyer does nothing … Read more
Cannibal Corpse
Kill
Metal Blade (2006)
I initially prefixed the heading of this review as "Neil vs. Cannibal Corpse"; such was my preemptive assumption that I would hate Kill. I set myself ready for war. God knows from the off I was handed a plethora of ready material to systematically destroy the band. I mean, just look at any of their promo photos. Fucking fruits. A … Read more
Cataract
Kingdom
Metal Blade (2006)
Heavy metal and I have been struggling through a rocky love affair since I was thirteen years old. Aside from a few exceptions, metal in the 21st century has been rather disappointing. The most encouraging thing that I can say about Cataract is that their hearts are definitely in the right place. Kingdom begins with an intro that sounds dangerously … Read more
Cattle Decapitation
Karma. Bloody. Karma
Metal Blade (2006)
Well what can you say about a group like Cattle Decapitation? First and foremostââ¬Â¦they're not emo. Secondly, they have a new album out called Karma. Bloody. Karma, and thirdlyââ¬Â¦it's one of the best albums of the year. One of the most criminally underrated bands on the grind/gore-core scene should finally get their due. Underrated because let's face it, the genre … Read more
Cattle Decapitation
Monolith Of Inhumanity
Metal Blade (2012)
For the sake of this review i will make wild and sweeping generalizations regarding the death metal genre so be warned.There seem to be 2 pervasive schools of thought in modern metal. The first rides the coattails of the old school Death Metal genre. clutching onto the first 3 Entombed LPs and early Morbid Angel records. The other is deftly … Read more
Church of Misery
Houses of the Unholy
Metal Blade (2009)
By a stroke of luck, my Last.fm did something good for once and recommended me this band called Church of Misery. I usually don't pay close attention to these recommendations as they are usually a bit off (seriously, stop recommending me stuff like Bon Jovi), but the name sounded dope and they apparently fell somewhere into that doom metal category. … Read more
Cult of Luna
A Dawn to Fear
Metal Blade (2019)
There is something incredibly special about Cult of Luna - no other band can touch their ability to meld weight with melancholy or aggression with melody - and the Swedish band has created many such beautiful moments on their eighth full-length (seven as Cult of Luna and one collaboration) since their inception over two decades ago. A Dawn to Fear is a … Read more
Cult of Luna
The Long Road North
Metal Blade (2022)
It’s always a joy to learn Cult of Luna will be releasing something new and as the Swedes have proved time and time again, their passion for their craft is far from waning. Through atmospheric post-metal, the band create textures that range from heightened drama to serene vocal passages to incandescent rage on a journey towards the cold stars of … Read more
Demiricous
Two (Poverty)
Metal Blade (2007)
These four hellraisers are, if not his new favorite band than, at least highly revered and recommended by Slayer's Kerry King, a bruiser who knows a few things about quality heavy music. Demiricous were accused of sounding a bit too much like Slayer on their debut, but since I unfortunately haven't heard it yet I can't say whether that's a … Read more
Denner/Shermann
Satan's Tomb EP
Metal Blade (2015)
Murray/Smith King/Hanneman Tipton/Downing These are just a few of the lead guitar duos from Iron Maiden, Slayer and Judas Priest respectively, that dominated heavy metal music of the 1980s and beyond. Perhaps lesser known, but by no means lesser in all other areas is the guitar duo do Michael Denner and Hank Shermann from Mercyful Fate, the band whose music can be considered … Read more
