Album Reviews

Much has been said about the resurgence of riff-driven, progressively inclined metal in the past 10 years, with Mastodon, Tool and to a lesser extent Ghost attaining levels of success previously thought absurd. As with any of these instances, its sudden surge in popularity has spawned a fair share of …

It’s no secret that we love a bit of prog over here at Planetmosh, in all its forms. Progressive music as a whole is simultaneously the cheesiest and most ridiculous genre we have and the most serious and overtly complex. The simple banner of “progressive” fits snugly alongside virtually any …

There’s a sense of smugness that comes with saying this but, the hardcore scene has been in rude health in the past few years. Such rude health in fact, that it gets more difficult by the day for new bands under today’s vast hardcore umbrella to hope to make themselves …

We know what you’re thinking. Horrorpunk? Is that still a thing? Was it EVER a thing? Apparantly so, ladies and gentlemen. In 2013, horrorpunk is still very much in existence. Not in any kind of notable status, mind. The closest any band ever came to making such a specific subgenre …

Normally, I avoid so-called “supergroups” with a wider berth than I would give to a black rat diagnosed with carrying the bubonic plaque… in my book, most of them can be described as something else beginning with ‘s’ and rhyming with ‘height’! However, a couple of years ago, the debut …

  This is the debut album of the Swedish band Witchgrave. The first thing I want to say is this band could be a good successor when Venom ceases to exist. The voice of vocalist Joakim Norberg sounds like a mix between Lemmy and  Venom’s Cronos Lant. That’s awesome!   …

Gotta say those Germans sure know how to bring varying styles together to good effect. A Life Divided do this with great aplomb throughout their fourth studio album, The Great Escape. It’s a retro-fitted piece of new romantic, electro rock with a commercial feel and some gothic undertones thrown in …

“For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf… And the strength of the Wolf is the Pack”   “Her divinity” is the  latest release from hard rock/heavy metal band Wolf Regime. A heart-filled song which starts off with a clean guitar riff which progresses into harmonised guitar melodies and sets the mood …

Over the years rock ‘n’ roll has seen many great acts being born, from Led Zeppelin to AC/DC.  Northern Ireland has helped contribute to this process with home-grown bands such as Sweet Savage, The Answer and many more.  And now, in 2012/13 a new star is rising into the sky …

I jumped at the chance when I was asked to review Beholder’s new album and follow up to their stonking debut in 2010, The Awakening. The band, to me, are a perfect example of what hard work, grit, determination and sheer bloody-mindedness can achieve. They never seem to stop. If …

With the imminent release of Quentin Tarrento’s new film ‘Django Unchained’ starring Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz and Leonardo DiCaprio . Arrow Video will release (on DVD Monday 14th January ) for the first time ever in the UK ,Ferdinando Baldi’s “Django, Prepare A Coffin” A long-lost and previously unavailable sequel …

To say that I approached this album with trepidation is an understatement. Bob Katsionis plays keyboards for Outloud but is probably known more for his work with Firewind. I must admit I expected a Rick Wakeman style instrumental  opus but was knocked out after the 1st minute of album opener …

Swiss metallers Dreamshade are back with their second album “The Gift of Life” which is set for release on the 25th January via Spinefarm Records. Since the release of their debut EP “To The Edge Of Reality” in 2006, they have attracted new fans worldwide with storming sets at festivals …

Greece has always had a pretty strong Metal scene but I guess it’s only over the last couple of years that the rest of the world has begun to tap into and appreciate the wealth of talent that lies within. Show Your Face are most definitely set to continue that …

German Hardcore quartet deliver a slamming debut album. Formed in Frankfurt in 2008, this represents the bands full length debut album, following on from a couple of well received and self released EP’s. Now that the band have been taken under the wing of Bastardized Recordings however the stakes have …

One of Germany’s true Metal giants return bigger and badder than ever. Rebellion’s biography reads like a film script, formed in 2001 by Tomi Gottlich and Uwe Lulis following their split from Gravedigger, the band went on to forge a huge and loyal following and enjoyed great success on both …

Some of the finest Canadian Death Metal money can buy!   Formed in Quebec, Canada in 2007, it’s only since signing to German Metal label giants Massacre Records that Kaotik finally and truly get the chance to project their brutal brand of old school Death Metal upon the unsuspecting international …

Swiss rockers Shakra are new to me, for all their strong pedigree and lengthy history. Having shared the stage with the likes of Uriah Heep, Maiden and Guns n’ Roses alongside doing some pretty major world tours with Hammerfall and Stratovarius, 2013 sees the release of their tenth studio album …

Jorn is the solo project of Jorn Lande, the former vocalist of Masterplan, Ark, Beyond Twilight, Millenium, Vagabond, and The Snakes.  Between these bands and guest apeparances with bands including Ayreon and Avantasia, he’s racked up an impressive discography of over 30 albums.  The reason for his success is simple …

German Heavy Metal Band Dark At Dawn founded in 1993 with three albums, tours and shows on the most popular Metal-Festivals (Wacken, Summer Breeze and Wave Gotik Treffen) followed. In 2007 the band decided to split due to various factors line up changes, jobs. Five years later, they are back …