Gritty progressive metal with passion, heft, and a few wrinkles! Humanity struggles with change, and metalheads are at the forefront. Your favorite band puts out a new album, and it is a stark difference from previous output, and suddenly you are decrying their integrity. It happens in all genres, but it seems to result in […]
Soen / Reliance – Album Review Read More »
Guitars and keys for the win as traditional and power metal collide! I always enjoy discovering new bands, particularly ones that are not on my radar. I listen to a lot of music but can’t review everything, whether due to lack of time or simply following my rule of not reviewing things I dislike. Sadly,
Unchosen Ones – Divine Power Flowing – Album Review Read More »
Powerful Seattle speed metal with attitude! I went through a phase in middle and high school (in the 90’s) where I consumed speed and thrash for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Due to my upbringing, my menu was limited, but that just means I knew every word, riff and drum hit for the likes of Deliverance,
Vanishment – …And Now We Die – Album Review Read More »
Black, death, doom, and more! One of my favorite things about going to shows is discovering new bands. I have never gone to a metal show fully blind (though this one was close!), but there have been plenty of shows I have attended where I was only really familiar with 1 or 2 out of
Ulthar & Nightfell at Baba Yaga in Seattle, WA, February 7, 2026 – Concert Review Read More »
Gothic and theatrical symphonic metal that rewards the discerning listener Austrian gothic symphonic metal band Edenbridge has been around for quite some time, releasing their 12th full length in their 25+ year career in mid-January, entitled “Set the Dark on Fire.” Founded by guitarist and composer Arne “Lanvall” Stockhammer and long-standing vocalist Sabine Edelsbacher, the
Edenbridge / Set the Dark on Fire – Album Review Read More »
Speed metal, thrash, attitude, and fun! Seattle speed metal warriors Vanishment released their latest album, “…And Now We Die” on January 23 (read my review!), and to celebrate they held an album release show on January 31 at Baba Yaga in Seattle, WA. The show was a full-on speed / thrash showcase of local talent,
Melody, power, and speed collide to tell an epic hero’s story! Greek power / speed metal band Valiant Sentinel was a new band to me, and though they have been around since 2018, they just recently released their second album, “Neverealm.” The themes are mythical and medieval, transporting you to a fantasy world where heroes
Valiant Sentinel / Neverealm – Album Review Read More »
Impressive power doom that is crushing and bombastic! I don’t often consume doom, but when I do, I prefer…. Wait, this isn’t a beer commercial, and “the most interesting man in the world” doesn’t strike me as a doom connoisseur. However, it is true that I don’t gravitate toward doom as much as other genres,
Exxûl – Sealed into None – Album Review Read More »
A progressive metal opus spanning varied influences with a strong melodic and heavy delivery! I stumbled upon Swedish progressive metal band Servitude and their brand new full length “Smoke & Mirrors,” independently released earlier in January. I was not familiar with the band at all, but they apparently released 5 singles in 2020 and 2021,
Servitude / Smoke & Mirrors – Album Review Read More »
Melodic and catchy symphonic metal with pop and hard rock sensibility! I felt like 2025 delivered a number of great symphonic metal releases, and 2026 appears to be promising with quite a few on the horizon already. Germany’s Beyond the Black has the honor of kicking off this trend with their 6th full length album,
Beyond the Black / Break the Silence – Album Review Read More »
