Album Reviews

When I think of Polish metal bands, I must admit that I automatically think of internationally acclaimed acts such as Behemoth and Vader. Having recently been subjected to the humiliation of the band self-described as “Poland’s Iron Maiden”, i.e. Turbo, I’m somewhat sceptical about some of the boasts made about …

Us rock journalists are supposed to be reasonably savvy types, keeping our fingers on the pulses and knowing exactly what’s happening on this planet we call mosh, so we can impart our knowledge onto you, our millions of devoted and much lover readers. So, imagine my surprise when, completely unannounced …

Crossfaith is a metalcore/hardcore/electronica band from Osaka, Japan.  Like many Japanese bands, Crossfaith sing in English.  The band was formed in 2006 and released their debut EP (Blueprint of Reconstruction) in 2008. They then released their first studio album “The Artificial Theory for the Dramatic Beauty”  in 2009, and their …

Raven Lord, and the kind of metal they have produced with their superb debut album, would have Jack Black going bat-shit crazy screaming “THIS. IS. METAAAAAAAAAALLLLLL” and they do indeed invoke similar kinds of feelings for me too. They’re like a united nations of metal, musicians with hugely strong pedigrees …

September Code deliver a stunning album of thought provoking, empowering and simply divine music.   To start with I must confess to not having had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with the music of September Code before receiving this album to review. In a rather selfish way, I feel cheated, …

Unsigned Scottish metallers Skeleton Verse (formerly known as The Paradox) have been going for 3 years and in that time they have been a busy lot releasing debut EP “the poet versus the town crier”, their debut album “bleeding by example” and a further EP “fuck your comfort zone”. Now …

Hardcore madness from the German cult heroes.     Bringing musical carnage and general mayhem since 2005, Fallbrawl have had plenty of time to cut their teeth in the business. Building a strong reputation in Germany as one of the most extreme and best hardcore acts on the circuit, they …

In the realm of music in general (never mind all things heavy), there are few artists as impenetrable as Mike Patton. From the incendiary experimentalism of Faith No More to the utterly bizarre genre-dodging of Mr. Bungle – and let’s not forget Fantômas, Peeping Tom and his genuinely terrifying compositions …

Dirt come clean with an album to get low down and dirty with.     Some people are just born to play Metal, it’s an evolutionary thing, a thing that is encased in their DNA, surging through every sinew and blood vessel in their denim and leather clad bodies. A …

Amidst all our genre squabbling and elitism, there exists a selection of bands who operate on metal’s outer limits. Elusive, erudite and enigmatic, they so staunchly avoid direct genre classification that it’s almost to their detriment. For Cult Of Luna, a five year gap has pervaded between 2008’s Eternal Kingdom …

KISS the very first signing to the newly formed Tim Bogart label Casablanca on the evidence of a single performance at New York City’s Le Tang’s Ballet Studio in 1973, have released a limited edition box set of their singles while at the label to celebrate their 40th anniversary in …

To say that Cassiopeia, the 9th studio album from Greek metallers Nightfall is busy is an understatement as it jumps from symphonic metal to death and thrash in the blink of an eye. Its dominated by the one dimensional but compelling aggressive bark of vocalist  Efthimis Karadimas. Efthimis formed Nightfall …

If you’ve never heard them before, you would be forgiven for thinking, upon first listen, that there is a very Savatage quality to Circle II Circle’s sound:  it’s a comparison that you would be more than justified making, as CIIC frontman Zak Stevens spent eight years at the helm of …

France’s Idols For Dinner actually trace their roots back more than half a decade, forming as Corpse Division back in 2007 but changing their name a few years later as they felt their original monicker did not reflect the style of music they play:   “it sounded like a brutal death …

This fifth studio album from Polish progressive rockers Riverside – their first since 2009’s ‘Anno Domini High Definition’, which charted at number one in their native Poland – is an interesting beast, drawing as it does on a myriad of influences, from underground central European jazz through English folk music …

Envinya deliver a stunning debut album, a band with huge potential.     Formed in Bavaria in 2006 and with one previous E.P. under their belts, this album represents Elvinyas full length debut album. Now, obviously, the band are going to come under the vast and all encompassing umbrella that …

Los Angeles based rockers Buckcherry are back with their sixth album – Confessions.  Formed in 1997, the band split in 2002 before being reformed in 2005 with singer Josh Todd and guitarist Keith Nelson as the only original members alongside three new recruits.  They released their album “15” a year …

Mind the Gaep are a hard rock band from Frankfurt, Germany.  The band formed in 2006, and have previously released an EP (Rock’n’Roll decadence), with “Get ready for tonight” being their debut album.  The music is heavy guitar-driven rock with plenty of guitar solos. Brief comments on a few tracks.. …

German quintet deliver a very special debut indeed.   Debut albums can be a bit hit and miss sometimes, quite often a band can try too hard to cram everything in to impress and end up falling short of the mark. Some can demonstrate a bands fragility and lack of …

Sacrifice is the 20th album of the NWoBHM  legends SAXON.  It was recorded by Jacky Lehmann and mixed by Andy Sneap. The Albums starts with  ‘Procession’. The atmosphere is threatening and a good intro for the following song ‘Sacrifice’. This song is one of my favorite songs of the album. …