Generally Impressed With Riffs
[Cover artwork by Subhuman at Desert Dungeon] Let’s talk about our love for quirky metal. Okay, sure, any definable level of ‘quirk’ is obviously subjective, but I’m guessing you know we’re not talking about the guy who loves The Black …
[Cover art by Mister Curse] Stack Overflow In Corpse Pile Interface. Stack Overflow in…Corpse Pile Interface? “What’s in a name? That which we call a corpse pile, by any other word would smell as putrid” – billy shakes Forgive my …
[Cover art by Jef Whitehead] Cognizance’s In Light, No Shape serves as a useful reminder that when it comes to our musical preferences, our whats are subservient to our whys. If, for example, you are a fan of the early …
[Cover artwork by Michael Cloutier] Prog, of course, is known for technical musicianship and songwriting complexity above all else, a reputation well-earned by the early giants of the genre and happily maintained by their progeny ever since. It’s also true …
Yes. Yes! YES!! Gamma Ray have released 2014’s most satisfying European power metal album, hands down. And judging from the painfully drab cover artwork, not even the band was expecting it. Seriously, no color? No …
Originally written by K. Scott Ross. It’s been twenty years since Mayhem released De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas. Twenty years since “Norwegian black metal” came and went as the favored bogey of Christian parents and conservative newscasters everywhere. The …
originally written by Erik Highter Tweak Bird used to fit their name to a T. The Bird brothers would hone in on one sound or style for an entire song, then flit off to an …
Originally written by Chris Redar Powerviolence is possibly the worst name for a genre with generally good-to-great music. It’s just a reference point like any other genre name, but still- every time the syllables cross …
That the mighty Vader has built a monstrous legacy is a rather inarguable point. As the undisputed kings of Polish death metal – and quite possibly Slayer’s greatest disciples – Piotr “Peter” Wiwczarek and company …
There was a healthy stretch of years where I fell mostly out of love with death metal. Two primary reasons behind this: First, a discovery of a true kinship with the more artsy-fartsy realm of …
Let’s be real. The word “dirge” isn’t all that appealing. Setting aside it’s aethestic ickiness, it’s also a bit, well, literal, at least when applied to our little corner of the universe. While brothers …
Here’s a melancholy truth: Most lusters fade. Sparks cool. Sheens dull. Some things, though? They stick with you. Such has been the case with The Last Caress of Light, Darkest Era’s 2011 debut album. Too …
