Album Reviews

The Italian Metalcore heroes return with their first full length offering for a couple of years, and boy is it worth the wait. Pedal to the metal riffs abound from start to finish , tracks such as the blistering ‘Phoenix’ and ‘Under The Glass’ guaranteed to blow away even the …

Fads and fashions may change on a yearly basis but class is timeless. The Danish boys have been delivering their brand of Progressive Power Metal for 20 years and this ‘Best Of’ compilation takes us on a journey through the 1990’s era of recently restored vocalist D.C. Cooper, an era …

The last few albums i’ve reviewed have been mainly thrash metal so now its time for some crushing doom metal from Rhode Island based 3 piece band Pilgrim. Formed in early 2010 they have released a stunning debut album, following on from their Forsaken Man e.p.  Misery Wizard is on …

Despite the success of many, many western bands in that part of the world – and the nation’s adoration of all things metal – very few Japanese bands have managed to return the compliment and break out of the land of the rising sun with any degree of credibility or …

Klaus Luley’s career consists of numerous highlights. Way back in the early 80’s, he was the frontman of TOKYO who put out three superb melodic rock albums “Tokyo”, “Fasten Seat Belts” & “San” between 1981/83, ive been told these have just been re-released on the aorheaven label He then became …

If ever an album was mis-titled, it is this one, as there is absolutely nothing new about it. Now, that’s not to say that it isn’t a good album – in fact, it has some very pleasing moments – but it doesn’t exactly set the world on the fire with …

Bangalore Choir were formed over 20 years ago by former Accept frontman David Reece. After releasing just one album, the band split. After an 18 year gap though they reformed to release the album “Cadence” in 2010. Now in April 2012 they’re back with their third album,’Metaphor’. This is certainly …

On the 23rd April Paradise Lost are set to release ‘Tragic Idol’ their 13th studio album. Recorded at The Chapel Studios in Lincolnshire, England, with vocals laid down at Fascination Street Studios in Orebro, Sweden and produced, mixed and mastered by Jens Bogren (OPETH, BORKNAGAR), Tragic Idol is said to …

When reading the genre of this band, I must admit I was excited and ready to be surprised, challenged and maybe even confused, “experimental” is right up my street, and after a celestially rousing intro with some tasty vocal harmonies, sadly there was nothing experimental about it, and the works …

When preparing to review The Stone Kings debut self titled album , I was a little worried at the large amount of balls in your face ego in the press pack, that it made me instantly want to be wary of what I was about to let enter my ears, …

Formed amidst the Steelworks town of Corby, Northamptonshire, their very own first chapter was born: ‘Chapter One’ and set the scene for Viking Skull. Top notch reviews were abundant and a landmark 11/10 review from Metal Hammer lead the band to secure a busy touring schedule supporting the likes of …

This debut album from this Welsh quartet is literally rammed to the very last groove with big, ballsy, romper-stomper riffs, instantly memorable hooks, melodies and choruses – and enough attitude to refloat the Titanic. Right from the opening right-between-the-eyes shotgun attack of ‘Adrenalise’ you know you’re in for a real …

Like most bands in their genre and of their longevity, Dutch doom/death crossover crew Asphyx have enjoyed/endured their fair share of upheavals in their 25-year career – numerous line-up changes (only drummer Bob Baghus has remained a constant), splits and reformations (three of each at the last count) and a …

A quarter of a century into their career, the godfathers of grindcore prove that they are still as acerbic, still as angry, still as pissed off – and, more to the point, still highly relevant –in their silver jubilee year. This, their 14th album, was recorded against the backdrop of …

North Carolina based melodic death metal band Wretched have been going since 2005 and have had little success in terms of releasing a memorable release. Now in 2012, Wretched have released the album which will give them the recognition they deserve as a band, an album which can be seen …

From the album cover of Violence, Fraud, Treachery it is pretty explicit in the fact that Mordax are going to be some form of death metal band. A five piece band who formed in Copenhagen in 2010, Mordax pride themselves on being a band who mix organic, catchy guitar lines …

There are so many bands out there who want to be the next Pantera, Down and Black Label Society and in doing so sound unoriginal and generic. Powerstroke are such a band and although their latest album entitled Awaken the Beast may be jammed full of groove polluted thrust, the …

Since reforming in early 2012, Belgium based speed metal band Drakkar have seen it fit to release a comeback album only a few months after getting back to getter… Big mistake. X-Rated Reloaded is a slow, turgid, monotonous album that really should not be classed as speed metal, putting this …

Crystal Viper is a female fronted traditional heavy metal act from Poland, founded in 2003 and led by the singer and guitarist Marta Gabriel. After doing 3 full length studio albums, several single and EP releases, appearing on a bunch of compilations, after touring in most of the European countries, …

Holy Moses may well be an unknown name to many metal fans but they were one of the 1st  German thrash metal bands after forming in Aachen, Germany in 1980. Angela Gossow from Arch Enemy seems to receive all the attention for a female fronting a heavy metal band but …