Category: Reviews

V/A ”Brown Acid 6th Trip” (Riding Easy Records) I don’t really like compilations. I don’t really know why but I don’t. But there are exceptions. I do like when a compilation is really thought out and done with the labour of love. Those are the ones to treasure. Like the “Brown Acid” series. This is one hell of a labour of love. Just tracking down all these hidden and forgotten gems must be a hell of a job. But then we get to enjoy songs from way back. And I really mean gems because on this compilation there are no … Continue reading

VYRE “Weltformel” (Supreme Chaos Records) German black metal is not something that I come upon too often even though Germany has given the world so many great metal acts over the years. I don’t know why that is but I am thankful whenever one do come along. I cannot recall having come upon VYRE before but as I look through their discography online it all feels very familiar. And then it hit me that I did interview them back in 2014 when they released their second album. This not really black metal per se, more like avant garde/post metal with … Continue reading

WENDESS ”MMXXIII” (Archaic Sound) This was originally released digitally in 2016, then rereleased on limited CDr the third album since 2009 by Quebecian WENDESS now gets a proper release on physical format. Canadian black metal and especially the one coming from the Quebec (Métal Noir Québécois) has a very distinct sound with a whole host of bands that have made themselves a name internationally. WENDESS are no exception. They seem to incorporate a whole host of different influences in the realm of black metal making it a very interesting listening. To my ears the base for the Quebec black metal … Continue reading

Crematory – “Oblivion” (Steamhammer / SPV)  Continuing their 25 year legacy, much has been said about the diversity of this 18th release with greater input from the newer members as well as guest musicians. However, by no means has Germany’s greatest gothic metal band strayed away from its roots, and if there have been newer influences, then they’re by no means detracting from the tested formula of drummer Markus Jüllich’s compositions. Part of the reason for this is that Stefan Glass’s orchestral arrangements and Dirk Riegner’s indie nuances aren’t exactly alien elements to gothic metal, along with the virtuosic touches of Walter Stobbe, whose … Continue reading

Bonfire – “Temple Of Lies” (AFM Records)  Alongside the Scorpions and Accept, Bonfire must be considered one of Germany’s greatest hard rock metal bands. Starting as far back as 1972 (!) although only going by that name since 1986, Bonfire met with immediate success, having scored a gold release in their 1987 sophomore “Fireworks”. Unfortunately, personnel problems involving founder guitarist Hans Ziller soon began to take their toll, resulting in him being ousted from his band, inevitable legal battles over ownership of the name and a revolving door of personnel changes that have continued to this day – with Ziller back and … Continue reading

Gus G – “Fearless” (AFM Records)  Well, I guess you’d have to be fearless to be in Ozzy Osbourne’s band for the best part of 6 years! Brought in to replace Zakk Wylde, Gus G recorded 2010’s “Scream” with Ozzy before returning to his own well known band, Firewind. Well clearly there’s still a bit of the double O left in him as you might expect from a legendary persona like Osbourne, and so he’s done the right thing here by releasing a solo record, as distinct from another power / heavy metal Firewind opus. Recruiting  vocalist/bassist Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69/Unisonic) and drummer Will Hunt … Continue reading

Celtachor – “Fiannaíocht” (Trollzorn)  Already impressed by Celtachor’s last release “Nuada Of The Silver Arm”, this 3rd studio album certainly doesn’t disappoint, whisking you off to magical, mythological lands through the deep music defined by blackened folk metal as well as ethereal melodies and ancient atmospheric soundscapes! Born just over a decade ago, part of Celtachor’s charm is that they haven’t been afraid to evolve, and indeed on “Fiannaíocht” there has been an enrichment of their sound through the addition of a new fiddler in Liam Henry, along with bassist Robert Macdomhnail who also plays the bouzouki and harp and together add to the band’s existing … Continue reading

Leather – “II” (High Roller Records)  Probably one of the most criminally overlooked female metal vocalists of all time, Leather Leone is best known for being the singer for David T Chastain, as put together by Shrapnel Records President Mike Varney, who needed a power larynx to match the savage shredding power of the virtuoso guitarist. Step forward New York’s Leather Leone, already singing for upcoming SF band Rude Girl, who were at the time sharing stages with Suicidal Tendencies and Megadeth. Leone would go on to record 5 albums with Chastain, along with a solo record “Shock Waves” in 1989 before disappearing for … Continue reading

Angerot – “The Splendid Iniquity” (Black Market Metal)  If you wallow in the dirt and decay of early 90s Swe-deth a la Entombed, Dismember and Grave then you’re gonna love these guys – even if they’re from South Dakota! Clearly fans of this cult genre themselves, Angerot have got Entombed’s LG Petrov and James Murphy (Death, Cancer, Disincarnate, Obituary, Testament) guesting, not to mention an elite production team in Tomas Skogsberg (Entombed, Dismember, Carnage, Grave, At the Gates) mixing at Sunlight Studios and mastering by Brad Boatright at AudioSeige to get that authentic sound perfect. As such “The Splendid Iniquity” is a top offering and … Continue reading

ABJECTION RITUAL ”Soul Of Ruin, Body Of Filth” (Malignant Records) I don’t exclusively listen to metal. I do like other styles of music. Such as industrial, ambient and all different variations on industrial and ambient that you can think of. I also listen to more mainstream things but that has nothing to do with ABJECTION RITUAL. If you like stuff like Trepaneringsritualen and She Spread Sorrow or stuff similar to that you will find enjoyment in this. But it also works if you like your metal doomy and black. This is like a Kinder egg. You get so many surprises … Continue reading