Category: Reviews
Luzifer – Iron Shackles Review
“But metal must be evil!” they wailed, fingers clutching their obsidian pearls. “It’s about darkness and despair!” they protested, all the while missing the true power that lies within the heart of the music. Certainly, heavy …
Sabaton – The War To End All Wars Review
There’s something strangely exotic about a band as committed to its aesthetic as Sabaton. Appreciating the differences from one album to the next is less about stylistic shifts than about pace and tone. Not that …
Messa – Close Review
If I were forced to pick a single word to describe Messa’s third album, Close – just one word – it would be patient. Don’t mistake me: Messa’s doom is not slow or directionless or …
Sanhedrin – Lights On Review
[Artwork by SeventhBell / Jack Welch] We all have those certain bands we champion like heroes and attempt to push into the lives of virtually anyone lucky enough to coexist in our sphere. And when …
Hath – All That Was Promised Review
[Cover art by Adam Burke] BIG There is no shortage of styles of music or bands that want to make their songs feel and sound big. Common approaches to doing so include adding orchestral elements, …
Blast Rites #3: Barren – Cursed To Walk This Earth Review
Borrowing the HM2 buzzsaw fuzz predominantly associated with Swedish death metal, these Belgians describe their style as “chainsaw grind.” Given the death/grind carving contained on Cursed To Walk This Earth, I suppose that’s as good …
Star One – Revel In Time Review
If nothing else, Star One’s Revel in Time – like many, if not all of Arjen Lucassen’s artistic endeavors – is an event. That someone who commits himself only to music that appears to reflect …
Eight Bells – Legacy Of Ruin Review
[Artwork by Tom Roberts] Have you had the pleasure of meeting Eight Bells yet? If not, allow me the honor of a formal introduction. Eight Bells is a metal band that’s apparently not quite metal …