Generally Impressed With Riffs
[Cover art by Jeff Gibson] During an early spin of Paired Sentinels, the fifth full-length album from Chicago’s Anatomy of Habit, a question-so-stupid-I-now-must-ask-it-in-public occurred to me: Does post-metal have anything to do with post-punk? If we really want to turn …
[Cover art by Clare McCarthy] A brutal death metal album with a beautiful cover? Consider me intrigued by the contrast alone. Brutal death metal, despite its typical gory imagery, lyrics, and tone, has a peculiar charm. But it’s not just …
[Cover art by Adam Yates] Look, I’ll freely admit that I listen to and love some truly pretentious death metal. Hell, I ranked Ingurgitating Oblivion’s last album as my seventh favorite in 2024, and that album has its head so …
[Cover Art by Kristian Valbo] I love the story behind the music. Not that it has to be some dramatic, sensational, or lurid tale. Rather, I just really appreciate how a little window into the artistic process can color one’s …
The forests endure the human experience—life, death, and the pages between. Each river, tree, peak, and valley tells a story. That tale is that of nature’s inevitable victory through it all. And victorious it shall …
[Cover art by Waltteri Lahti] Albums hitting in December and early January almost don’t have a chance in the floodwaters of List Season, so Katoaja’s debut record, What We Witness, was already struggling against the …
[Cover art by Julian Bauer] If you live in the upper half of the northern hemisphere, then February is the perfect time for a sojourn. The weather creates a cold you can feel in the …
Since the very first day I stepped into heavy metal’s looming halls, I have been an obsessive participant in most every facet of the genre. The experience was fairly overwhelming at first, owed in part …
After a long delay, last year’s Archagathus / Whoresnation split pricked up some ears around these parts – even deservedly making its way onto our best EP / short releases list at the end of …
You ever feel like the world is kind of a dick about genres? Think about the book publishing industry, for example. When you walk into your local bookstore, notice the specialized sections for so-called “genre …
I’ve lost count now of how many Grave Digger albums I’ve covered in the past fifteen or so years – and full disclosure: I’m apparently too lazy to look it up – but the number …
The Halo Effect’s debut, Days of the Lost, was always going to be a loaded endeavor – for the listeners. But it was clear from the release of the first single, “Shadowminds,” that this all-star …
