Category: Reviews

ONDFÖDT “Dödsrikets kallelse” (Immortal Frost Porductions) It wasn’t that long ago that I played this band’s previous record. Which kinda makes it nice that I know sit here with their latest album so shortly after I listened to the previous one. This Finnish band with the Swedish sounding name play a form of black metal that is raw and to the point. You don’t get too many breaks in this. And that is the way I like it. Just full on black metal attack. No pauses to catch the breath. As I listen to this it dawns on me (again)… Continue reading

Candlemass – “The Door To Doom” (Napalm Records)  OMG, Johan Längqvist has returned to Candlemass after a 32 year hiatus! The original vocalist who sang on their legendary 1986 debut “Epicus Doomicus Metallicus”, Längqvist has been brought in again given the band’s strong desire to return to their roots – and brother, “The Door To Doom” certainly does that, with even Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi acknowledging the band’s contribution to the doom genre by providing a guest solo on ‘Astorolus – The Great Octopus’ – wow!! With the classic 1987 “Nightfall” line up back in the studio after years of… Continue reading

Rhapsody Of Fire – “The Eighth Mountain” (AFM Records)  Well, this isn’t Rhapsody Of Fire’s eighth album but man, does this band surely climb mountains! Now onto their 11th release, we find them in virtually another new line up with only co founder keyboardist Alex Staropoli and long time guitarist Roby De Micheli left since “Into The Legend” 3 years ago. Founded back in the mid 90s as one of the key players in the new power metal scene, Rhapsody Of Fire have been through name changes, numerous line ups and not in the least, the departure of co founder guitarist Luca Turilli.… Continue reading

Visions Of Atlantis – “The Deep & The Dark Live @ Symphonic Metal Nights” (Napalm Records)  In what is probably their finest moment, Visions Of Atlantis have released this stupendous release – actually their first live record – and the energy coming off it is unbelievable, not just from the band and audience, but possibly anyone listening to it too! Capturing one of those special moments in time and space, all the alignments were clearly right and I’m so glad for the band given that it was only 5 years ago that the entire line up left, leaving only founding… Continue reading

Herman Frank – “Fight The Fear” (AFM Records)  Holy crap – Herman Frank may have just turned 60 years old, but judging by this searing album he still has plenty of fire!! Renowned for over 3 decades for his work in Accept, Sinner, Victory and more recently Panzer, Frank has also issued 3 prior albums as a solo artist with “Fight The Fear” being his latest high octane hard rock metal release. With an equally regarded band backing him in vocalist Rick Altzi (Masterplan), guitarist Heiko Schröder, former Rage drummer André Hilgers and bassist Michael Müller from Jaded Heart, this album is as musclebound… Continue reading

Beast In Black – “From Hell With Love” (Nuclear Blast)  Laugh as you may that Beast In Black has a male singer who sounds like a girl, there is no doubting that Anton Kabanen’s new band is nothing short of astounding. Taking in influences from dance rock to rock metal and melodic epic metal, “From Hell With Love” has lots of variety, with more keyboards featured in some songs, although heavier than on 2017’s debut “Berserker” during other numbers. But the incredible melodies and overwhelming passion throughout this sophomore make it a more than worthy follow up in any case! Yannis Papadopoulos has done nothing whatsoever to temper any… Continue reading

Gorgon – “The Veil Of Darkness” (Osmose Productions)  Like an unholy reunion bringing together two of France’s old school names, Gorgon have finally signed to Osmose! Formed in 1991, Gorgon will no doubt be familiar to anyone from the south of France, releasing 4 full length albums before stopping around the turn of the century. Osmose of course, are legendary. So to finally have these two collaborating is truly blasphemous, almost criminal given that neither has either compromised into modernity or changed other to get better at what they do: true old school black metal. Not musicians playing black metal… Continue reading

BATTLEGRAVE “Relics Of A Dead Earth” () I gotta say that I appreciate it when I get informed about stuff that I would normally not hear of, simply because I have no idea it ever existed. Like this Australian deathrash band. Everything about this release screams as loud as it can, and that is even before I have started to play it. But it is just one of these releases that you know beforehand that you are either gonna love or just let pass by. If you like me are old and remember the 80s you are gonna find plenty… Continue reading

BLADE KILLER “High Risk” (M-Theory Audio) I am not a nostalgic guy. I live in the present and think very little of the past. Unless it comes to music. I often find myself remembering this and that band from the 80s and that makes me wonder if I am another old crusty metalhead that can’t let go of the past. But in all fairness it was the 80s that shaped my taste in music and even though the 90s, 00s and 10s has brought with it a hell of a load of great music my frames of references are still… Continue reading

NACHTLIEDER “Lynx” (Nigredo Records) This is one I have been meaning to do for a very long time, but inspiration has been low for a few months. Not because this is a bad black metal album. This is in fact an awesome black metal album. I bought this album from the label stand at Huskvarna Metalfest back in October 2018 and played it in the car on the way home and has since then played it on numerous occasions. This is raw and in your face black metal without it being necro or any other extravagant sub-genres. This is just… Continue reading