Album Reviews

Seattle’s progressive death metallers, 7 HORNS 7 EYES, released their first full-length album, ‘Throes Of Absolution’, throughout Europe on 23rd April this year via Basick Records. ‘Divine Amnesty’ gets us off to a slow, very melodic start before we get greeted by a small barrage of riffs, drums and screams that continues …

Over the past 18 years – and certainly in the decade since the release of their brutal debut album, ‘Ashes of Purification’ – Merrimack have been slowly building a reputation as one of the forerunners of the French black metal movement and have drawn comparison, not unfairly, with the likes …

This is Finnish band Embassy Of Silence’s second full length offering, following on from 2009’s ‘Euphorialight’ which was released to much critical acclaim in their homeland, with it’s musical twists from light to dark, it immediately got the band noticed. ‘Antler Velvet’ however see’s the band progress firmly to a …

The Electric Lady is a Rock band in the truest sense of the word, hailing from Finland and formed in it’s latest guise in 2007, the band belt out Hard Rock with amazingly catchy melodic hooks for fun. Singer and songwriter Minna Ora creates songs which could easily sit comfortably …

  Mockingbird are a 3-piece hard rock/blues rock band from the southern coasts of Ireland. Formed by Ian O’ Sullivan and brothers Noel and Phil Cunningham in 2010, the band represents a coming home of sorts for these three musicians. Having played in numerous different bands over the years and …

Hailing from the US Agents of Power is their second official studio album from Skelator  from the aptly named Metal on Metal  records. When I first heard Skeletor’s album Give me Metal or Give me Death I admit I thought they were an old school thrash band due to the awesome …

  Reaper are an underrated Teutonic Metal band that was founded in Kassel back in 1984. In the glorious 80’s they only recorded two demos (“Reaper“ in 1985 and “Metal Or What???“ in 1988) and a self financed E.P called “Fairies Return“ in 1986.  It wasn’t before 1990 until their …

Ahead of their debut album release later this year, Southampton sextet Kids Can’t Fly have released their third EP, Northern Horizons. Despite their previous efforts which saw them showcase a unique brand of ‘ska punk’ (the traditional guitars have been complimented with a saxophone and trumpet), Northern Horizons sees them …

Combining former members of King Diamond’s band with a young singer was always going to attract attention, more so if that singer was the son of none other than established and widely respected basset Hal Patino famed for his work with King Diamond and Pretty Maids, and had featured highly …

Hailing from Poland, and sheltering under the banner of Gothic Metal , I fully expected an album of dark and doom laden overtones, lyrics dealing with lost love and forlorn figures running through moonlit forests (well, you get the picture) but I was pleasantly surprised. Ok, so the subject matter …

Originally forming when the band was still in school back in 1977, this Swiss based band have steadily progressed working on perfecting their own “sounds”. With this latest release, Rizon appear to be finally hitting the heights that have eluded them for so long and all the hard work and …

The north coast of Northern Ireland is one of the most beautiful places in the world, but it can also be one of the most brutal, especially when lashed by winter storms sweeping across the north Atlantic and into the Irish Sea, and its rocky coastline – characterised by sheer …

As expected from the legendary trio from South Carolina, their seventh studio album ’At the Gates of Sethu’ opens with dark orchestral tones, followed by the blistering sound that Nile create so well. ‘Enduring The Eternal Molestation Of Flame‘ is much of the same band as they have been for …

Originating from Montreal, Canada, October Sky has been playing music together for a decade. What started as four teenagers with a passion for music developed into a foursome with a common desire to excel in the studio and on stage. The Canadian quartet consists of Karl Raymond (vocals & guitars), …

  To say that the  Forgotten Dead 4 track  e.p by Glasgow based metallers Diementia is a step up from demo album Tears Of Blood is a vast understatement! Not only in production but also in it’s  ferocity! Vocals on Tears Of Blood were handled by drummer Ricky Kerr, one …

Clowns have always been the nightmare of many a child an adult for centuries now and it’s the twisted smile and always happy; yet sinister presence that plays on the mind of those who fear them the most. Although the guys in Deadly Circus Fire may be some of the …

No Mans Legion are a band who have slowly but surely been getting their name out there and putting their own little spark onto the scene. Now in June of 2012, the mighty Chorley based five piece have released the mother of all heavy metal albums. An EP chocked full …

Many people will have become aware of The Mariana Hollow on their recent UK tour with the mighty Breed 77 and it’s this tour and the release of their second album, Black Velvet Sky that has got them recognised as one of the best female fronted rock bands of the …

“I’m ballsy! I’m a stud! I don’t take shit from anyone! I’m ballsy! I’m a stud! I smoke my stogies wherever I want! I’m ballsy! I’m a stud! I don’t take shit from anyone! I’m ballsy! I’m a stud! I smoke my stogies wherever I want!” Best learn the words …

After you’ve stared at the rather awesome album artwork for some time, you will eventually decide to open the box and take a listen to Zarpa’s new album entitled Las Puertas Del Tiempo to see if it is just as mind blowing as its front cover. Hailing from Valencia in Spain; this classic …