Generally Impressed With Riffs
[Artwork by Caroline Harrison] “Nonsense” opens with a slow fade-in of distorted guitars and seismic drums — the chaos before the swarm. It’s a trick of the trade, the extreme metal equivalent of a camera operator calling out “speed” before …
[Cover artwork by Luca “Zeero” Zironi] There was always something uniquely charming about Konquest’s brand of traditional heavy metal—an almost whimsical breeziness that still felt like a near perfect balance of playful and substantive. A long-lost Italian cousin to Sweden’s …
[Cover art by Beyond Art] There are bad musical moods, and then there’s Mylingar. Over the course of the last decade this group of anonymous Swedes has concocted the type of ill-meaning black/death that makes Diocletian seem like a Care …
[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 …
Originally written by Brady Humbert. As I mentioned in the Steve Von Till review, Neurosis are my favorite band. This was determined after careful consideration and ongoing inner arguments with myself. I’ve chosen carefully. I will also mention I’m interested in …
Originally written by Brady Humbert. I came to the conclusion in late 2008 that Neurosis were/are the most monumental and powerful band I’ve listened to in my time as a music patron. They completely changed how I listened …
Dave Pirtle’s take: As one of only two remaining staffers from the historic Ghost Reveries review, I felt somewhat obligated to offer my two cents on Watershed. I even went back and reread my review of …
Originally written by Sasha Horn Who here flies the flag for The Funeral Pyre? Speak now or forever hold your piece, of Hot Topic paraphernalia that you just got home from the mall with. I …
My relationship with Children of Bodom is very similar to the one I have with In Flames. Both were started at the same time (in 1999, when Hatebreeder and Colony were the respective current releases) …
Originally written by Michael Roberts. Although I was aware of this band’s connections with Maudlin of the Well, I had not previously heard Toby Driver’s Kayo Dot prior to wrapping my ears around Blue Lambency Downward. Needless to say, …
As strange as the name Witchsmeller Pursuivant sounds, it’s actually quite fitting. Swiped directly from the fifth episode of the first season of Rowan Atkinson’s Black Adder, the name embodies the not-so-serious nature of this …
originally written by Chris McDonald Hailing from Spain, a country not usually recognized for its extreme metal scene, Empty have impressed this reviewer tremendously with one hell of a strong depressive black metal release. A …
