Heavy metal album reviews that go deep, with band history, song by song analysis, and more!
Intricate, orchestral and heavy: fabulous cinematic symphonic death metal from Italy! I have always been a believer that symphonic music is a perfect match for metal when executed well. The gravitas and cinematic qualities it brings has the ability to make the compositions so much grander. Symphonic metal can take a variety of forms, though […]
Nesfastis – Shadows at the Light of Dawn – Album Review Read More »
Artistic, creative, passionate, melodic, and heavy, this is prog rock/metal at its finest! I love it when bands meld various musical styles together, particularly when they are bold in their choices. Many things on paper sound like they should not work, but when both amazing song writing and excellent execution converge, the opportunity for something
Ok Goodnight – stop/go – Album Review Read More »
Technical and melodic, this is the fastest most insane death metal around! Who is the world’s fastest band? It something I have never really thought about, but I would have to believe it rests somewhere in the death/black/grind world. There are clearly plenty of people who love fast and furious given the sheer number of
Archspire – Too Fast To Die – Album Review Read More »
Epic folksy melodic death metal that is catchy, fast, and furious! Vancouver, BC, Canada, melodic death metal band Atavistia has been quite active lately. Their last full length, “Cosmic Warfare,” was released in 2023, but in December of last year, the band decided to release a “reforged” version of their 2020 release, “The Winter Way.” With
Atavistia – Old Gods Awaken – Album Review Read More »
Killer symphonic power metal that is mighty and melodic! I have been excited about the prospect of a new album from Finnish metal band Gladenfold since their 2022 release “Nemesis.” Taking cues from symphonic metal, power metal, and melodeath, it combined a grandiose cinematic feel with speedy playing, killer melodies, soaring vocals, and plenty of
Gladenfold – Soulbound – Album Review Read More »
Thrashy grooves & traditional metal collide with a haunting and unique vocal approach! I love supporting my local Pacific Northwest metal scene. My home base is the greater Seattle area, but my coverage extends north to Vancouver, BC, and south to Portland, OR, and I do my best to make it out to as many
Telomyras – Duskfall – Album Review Read More »
Diametric forces collide in a gothic death doom display of heft and beauty! Music is such a great vehicle for conveying a variety of emotions. The often present darker textures, particularly in the doomier genres, translate so well to themes of loss, sorrow, and melancholy, and events in my own life over the past year
Evig Natt – Vaketimen – Album Review Read More »
Silky atmospheric melodic post metal with just enough aggression! Domhain hails from Northern Ireland in the United Kingdom, and they recently released their debut full length, “In Perfect Stillness.” Full length may give you pause when you only see 5 tracks, particularly when the first song is under 2 minutes. But with a run time
Domhain – In Perfect Stillness – Album Review Read More »
Fantasy loving cinematic atmospheric melodic black metal from Australia! Imagine lyrics deeply based in the world of fantasy, heavily influenced by J.R.R. Tolkien (Lord of the Rings) or George R.R. Martin (A Song of Ice and Fire). Add in inspiration from the fantasy video game world of Diablo. Melodies are abundant and inspire a world
Darklore – The Great Elven War – Album Review Read More »
Crushing atmospheric melodeath from Greece! Greek melodic death metal band AmongRuins recently released their fourth full length album, “Advent of Chaos.” I will admit that prior to listening to this album, I was completely unfamiliar with the band. Like many genres, melodeath can cover a lot of ground, and I was curious where exactly AmongRuins
AmongRuins – Advent of Chaos – Album Review Read More »
