Brian Robertson – Diamonds And Dirt Review
In 1974, alongside Scott Gorham, an 18-year-old Scottish guitarist named Brian Robertson replaced Gary Moore (R.I.P.) in Thin Lizzy, solidifying the best and most popular incarnation of that perpetually underrated outfit. As a member of …
Drugs Of Faith – Corroded Review
DC-based “grind’n’roll” outfit Drugs Of Faith was among the highlights on last year’s Relapse-released This Comp Kills Fascists 2. That record spotlighted underground power-violence, grindcore and hardcore bands, all handpicked by Pig Destroyer / Agoraphobic Nosebleed …
Jag Panzer – The Scourge Of The Light Review
Thirty years ago, a fledgling Jag Panzer helped lay the groundwork for the American power metal sound, releasing early highlights in 1983’s Tyrants EP and follow-up full-length Ample Destruction before losing vocalist Harry “The Tyrant” …
Grave Digger – The Ballad Of Mary Review
Last year’s The Clans Will Rise Again served as something of a sequel to 1996’s Tunes Of War, continuing the Scottish-history theme that Grave Digger began on that earlier album. Again furthering the band’s return …
Embryonic Devourment – Vivid Interpretations Of The Void Review
The last few years have seen an explosion of tech-death bands, some exciting and some not-so-much. California’s Embryonic Devourment (whose gore-grind-esque moniker belies their robotic technicality) isn’t quite new—Vivid Interpretations Of The Void is their …
Complete Failure – Heal No Evil Review
Originally self-released in limited quantity in 2009, this second Complete Failure record found itself picked up by Relapse for a Fall 2010 re-release. Entirely self-recorded, Heal No Evil was a conscious effort by the band to distance …
Astral Doors – Testament Of Rock: The Best Of Astral Doors Review
Sweden’s Astral Doors was founded with the stated purpose of revisiting and reviving the trad-metal sounds of Dio, Rainbow, post-Ozzy Black Sabbath, et al. And that sums up their sound in more succinct fashion than …
Onslaught – Sounds Of Violence Review
Despite their longevity, I first truly crossed paths with British thrash outfit Onslaught with their reunion disc, 2007’s Killing Peace. I’d heard of the band, as punkers and then as thrashers and most notably as …