A multi-national collaboration between Poland and Australia has presented this interesting mix of progressive metal with touches of death metal and flourishes of sci -fi inspired keyboard madness. Opening track “Cascading Darkness” is full on straight out of the gate, chunky chugged guitars being complimented with melodic leads that are …

Newcomers Articulus are bringing their own take within the progressive metal framework. Being a debut it has just taken that bit longer to fully digest and shake off any pre-conceived notions. Chris Willumsen and Erling Malm are the mainstays behind this project and have brought in Dirk Verbeuren the current …

Phobia have been with us since the early 90s grinding heads in worldwide. Grindcore is a genre that that has bands which have massive back catalogues which are near on impossible to complete. Phobia are no exception and this is a release in a long line of albums, eps and …

This is the third album by this bunch of progressive death wizards. Featuring on vocals and drums George Kollias of Nile fame. From the very start this is high octane jawdropping musicianship straight from the school of Death and Atheist.  That is where the comparison ends to an extent. The …

Queensryche need little introduction and it is great to see them continuing an excellent run.  The media hype around the big rift with Geoff Tate at last seems to be subsiding and giving both parties the chance to get on with what they do best. “The Verdict” sees another original …

Hailing from Germany and formed 2008, they present their 5th album. Downfall of Gaia are a melting pot of influences, taking pieces from many different genres and making them blend into a seamless onslaught which is full of unexpected twists and turns. There are several long pieces on this album …

Formed in 2008 hailing from Ireland, Zealot Cult have built themselves a reputation based on hard work and attention to musical detail which is presented here on their first full length in all its glory. The title track arrives with a bang, no intro, no false sense of security – …

The passage of time becomes very apparent  when sitting down with this sprawling cd set. It is strange to hear thank-you for 20 years, I would not have pegged it at anything like that much time. Admittedly I lost touch with Lacuna Coil around the Karmacode album during their ascent. …

Deicide have been with us almost 30 years with 50% of the original band still intact which is quite a feat in this day and age. This is the 12th studio album and first with new guitarist Mark English ex-Monstrosity. It is surprising to find that “In the Minds of …

Mantar came across the radar 2 years back when they had just released “Ode to the Flame”, whilst heading between stages at Hellfest and heard this unholy racket coming from the Valley stage. From the screens I could see 2 people knocking the life out of a drumkit and guitar. …

Approaching what will be the last new music we will possibly ever hear from Pagan Altar with the enigmatic Terry Jones on vocals is not a task to be taken lightly. Formed in 1978 and virtually forgotten about until 1998 when their debut album (recorded in 1982) was finally given …

Hour of 13 – Salt the Dead: The Rare and Unreleased. Hour of 13 are one of those bands held in high reverence in underground circles and always create a stir when there is news of the band. Formed in 2006 and with a history that is less than straight …

Another chapter in the history of Irish Death metal has been opened up in the shape of Apostate Viaticum, which features amongst its ranks ex-members of veteran Irish band Morphosis. Formed in 2014 they have kept a low profile until unleashing this slab of confrontational death metal. It is refreshing …

After 30 years Rock Goddess have returned with ‘It’s More Than Rock And Roll’; a hard hitting slice of Hard Rock/Metal.  They have delivered a statement of intent of what I hope we can expect more of in the not too distant future. When Rock Goddess released their debut album back …

It has been 12 years since Life of Agony‘s last record and many question marks as to whether or not we would ever see another one. The re-energised band hit the festival circuit a few years back and proved without a doubt they were still a force that could cut …

Not a new band, one with quite a history and now unleashing their 7th album. Originally formed in Luxembourg in 1997 and evolved through time from a grunge quartet to become the very different animal that is presented here on this beautiful self-released  Double White Vinyl. The opening track “Birth. …

Hailing from Rochester, New York and trying to bridge the gap between uk82 and 2016 is somewhat of a tall order. Being on the Hells Headbanger’s label the expectation was something a lot more vicious and unruly.  Instead what we have got is a rounded take on the old uk …

Finland has always been a breeding ground for outstanding doom bands and Spiritus Mortis are no exception. The band formed in 1987 and has an impressive array of demos and split releases along the way – this is actually only their 4th full length release. It has been 7 years …