All posts by Old Guard

The retired elite of LastRites/MetalReview.

Vreid – I Krig Review

Originally written by Michael Roberts. Following on quickly from last year’s Pitch Black Brigade, Vreid’s latest full-length, I Krig, sees the Norwegian band continuing to refine their unique fusion of black metal and classic rock. On this album Vreid combine

Amorphis – Silent Waters Review

Originally written by Jason Jordan. If anything, Eclipse was a jarring, triumphant return for Finland’s Amorphis that easily surpassed previous efforts Am Universum and Far from the Sun, and raised the bar for what would become Silent Waters, which happens to be the

Officium Triste – Giving Yourself Away Review

Originally written by Erik Thomas. Synopsis: More depressive elegance from the Netherlands’ masters of beautifully somber doom. Review: Much like Draconian, Shape of Despair, Pantheist, Slumber and many of the Finnish doom acts (Swallow the Sun, Ablaze My Sorrow, My Shameful), Officium

The Absence – Riders Of The Plague Review

Originally written by Erik Thomas. Synopsis: In the words of the mighty Neo…. “Whoa”. Review: While the debut album from Florida’s The Absence, From Your Grave, was a solid Dark Tranquility inspired and core free slab of US melodic

Aeon – Rise To Dominate Review

Originally written by Doug Moore. Everyone knows that metal has something of a—shall we say, limited palette when it comes to lyrical content. Not a lot of metal bands are known for their lyrical clout, but on

Mortuus – De Contemplanda Morte Review

Originally written by Keith Fox. Mortuus continue The Ajna Offensive’s tradition of releasing quality black metal for the thinking black metal fan.  Like many of the NED bands with similarly intellectual aspirations, Mortuus prove themselves equally capable of expressing their malcontent

A Second From The Surface – The Streets Have Eyes Review

Originally written by Ian Chainey Okay, so, if the first words you read in regards to A Second from the Surface were, say, “The band is trying to figure out how to fuse grind with

Symphony X – Paradise Lost Review

Originally written by Chris Chellis. After a looooong wait that included postponing the album’s release due to a stint on Dave Mustaine’s Gigantour, we finally have Symphony X’s seventh full-length, Paradise Lost, and what an album this