Album Reviews

  Even though i’m a fan of Dragonforce, their previous  album Ultra Beatdown in 2008  was  patchy to say the least but their latest release The Power Within surpasses it with ease. The departure of long standing  vocalist Z.P.Theart in 2010 may have cast a giant shadow over Dragonforce’s future …

There are some albums that you can’t wait to hear, months before they are released. Others you’ll get told about by friends, and then get to check them out but the special ones are the ones you stumble across totally by accident, and as if by fate end up finding …

Allegaeon (pronounced: uh-lee-juhn) was formed in 2008 by founding member and guitar player Ryan Glisan. Soon thereafter joined the classically trained guitarist Greg Burgess, vocalist Ezra Haynes and bassist Corey Archuleta to round out and form what people have come to know now as the Colorado Kings of Melodic Metal. …

Oakland power trio High On Fire release their 6th album “De Vermis Mysteriis ‘on the 23rd April across Europe via Century Media Records. The album’s title (translation: “The Mysteries of the Worm”) is a nod to a fictional grimoire conceived by the late, great Psycho author Robert Bloch in 1935 …

County Fermanagh, nestled in the south-western corner of Northern Ireland and in the elbow crook of its border, is the Province’s equivalent of the Lake District – a haven of quiet and tranquillity, a place of outstanding natural beauty which serves as a retreat away from the hustle and bustle …

The band are scheduled to release their new album proper somewhere around September time on Massacre Records but if you can’t possibly wait until then , you can indulge yourself in this digital only ‘Best Of’ release. The guys have an extensive back catalogue to choose from as well , …

Hailing from England and the working class suburbs of Melbourne, Australia, The Terraces are a no-nonsense punk rock act fronted by one of the legends of the punk era itself.  “Union” is the first single from their forthcoming debut album and is a wonderfully anthemic track that showcases a knack …

Deadly Inscription are a four piece Glasgow based metal band.  Having headlined and played their way through venues including, Glasgow Barrowlands, Manchester Academy and the Paisley Wynd they have finally brought out a new e.p to spread their unique brand of technical metalcore further a field. ”One Against The World” …

It’s hard to believe that counting the early Death Metal demo’s Darkseed have been around for 20 years, and what an eventful career it’s been with founding members leaving then rejoining only to leave again, the band even effectively disbanding for a short period around 2007. Thankfully they persevered with …

Since the sad end of Panic Cell in 2011 it’s been quite amazing watching the phoenix like birth and growth of Seven Deadly online, driven in particular by Bobby T as he documented and entertained us with the creation of this new band with former Panic Cell members Harj Virdee …

The first thing that strikes you about this self-released debut full-length offering from this French five piece is it’s lavish packaging – stunning artwork on a highly professionally produced gatefold sleeve, and a well-designed lyric booklet. They’ve obviously put a lot of work into it. But, that’s entirely understandable, given …

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 …