All To Ruin – Parables

All To Ruin are a melodic metal quintet from Wales who formed just two short years ago. After recording a demo which gained attention from various big name metal publications, as well as radio airplay, the five-piece have now released their first official EP entitled Parables. ‘A Part of a Line’ has …

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Ashes Of Ares – ‘Ashes Of Ares’

Artwork for Ashes For Ares' self-titled debut album

Ashes Of Ares‘ credentials are just about as impeccable as they come,  with the the band being made up of former Iced Earth vocalist Matt Barlow and bassist Freddie Vidales, and ex-Nevermore drummer Van Williams. With the meeting of two such strong forces of nature, you would expect something special to …

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Týr – ‘Valkyrja’

Faroe Islanders Týr may find themselves, by the fate of geography, isolated on the northern outskirts of Scandinavia but this, their seventh album, proves once again that they are very much at the centre of the particularly geocentric folkloric mythos which has helped this particular sub genre very much re-establish itself …

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The Graveltones – Don’t Wait Down

I first saw The Graveltones performing live supporting the band Stonerider, and then with Rival Sons a few times earlier this year. What impressed me about their live performances is the amount of noise and rhythmic sounds that the two Aussie band members Jimmy O and Mikey Sorbello produced as …

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Arrayan Path – IV:Stigmata

Cyprus’ Arrayan Path’s fourth offering treads the well-worn path of religious symbolism but triumphs where others have been crucified. From the arpeggiated thrash power of “Clepsydra” to the darkened balladry of “Stigmata” via the Maiden-esque “Pharaoh’s Wish”, their strength is with the musicianship on show. Combining blistering solos, memorable choruses …

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Tigertailz – Knives

This is the first release from Tigertailz since a turbulent period in the bands history.  Ace Finchum rejoined the band on drums and within two years was gone, Sarah Firebrand left the band, and then Kim Hooker left the band last year.  Kim Hooker was lead singer for all but …

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The Winery Dogs – Islington Academy, London – photos

On Thursday, The Winery Dogs played their first UK date at a sold out Islington Academy in London.  The Winery Dogs have an impressive lineup – Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, Flying Colors, Adrenaline Mob, Transatlantic, Avenged sevenfold – and many more), Billy Sheehan (Mr Big, Talas, David Lee Roth, and …

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Moonbow – The End Of Time.

If you like stoner rock with demolition ball dynamics like the very best of Kyuss,The Sword and Fu Manchu then the debut album from Moonbow will make your speakers vibrate until they disintegrate! Formed in 2010 by lead vocalist Matt Bischoff,Kentucky based Moonbow have delivered 7 songs that should surely …

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Mockingbird – Live Cuts

Mockingbird‘s Live Cuts was recorded at Wizzfest in Belgium. This Irish band formed in 2009; they still have some raw energy and enthusiasm carrying them forward. The album’s ten charming tracks are mixed fairly unbalanced, which is typical for a live setting. When the guitar breaks to solo (tasty!), the …

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Oranssi Pazuzu – Valonielu

Finland’s Oranssi Pazuzu presents fans with six original, genre-expanding, no-frills good tunes. Music replete with creativity sparks interest. Valonielu blends sparse industrial with rock, insanely running it through an extreme metal filter, resulting in a crazy chimera. The long, well-crafted songs feature guitars utilizing some of the heaviest, thickest “breakup” …

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Otargos – Apex Terror

Otargos are a French black metal band, and their latest offering, Apex Terror, contains 9 tracks of intense and well-produced extremity. Aggressive, clear, fast, bleak, and highly negative, it’s vaguely reminiscent of fellow Frenchmen Antaeus. “For Terra” slows down enough to really groove; “Remnant From A Long-Dead Star” continues that …

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Master – The Witchhunt

Master, the former Chicago – now Czech band, are alive and well! These guys rose through the same ranks that acts like Slayer and Metallica did. With The Witchhunt, they play through some of the most bludgeoning riffs of their career. A variety of moods and tempos offer something to …

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Incantation – Mortal Throne of Nazarene

Pennsylvania’s Incantation channel quintessential classic mid-90s deathmetal / grindcore with this reissue of 1994’s Mortal Throne of Nazarene. This band is one of the forerunners of what became brutal deathmetal. John McEntee and crew perfected the doom-to-blast atmospheric mood, alternating slow segments with ‘breakneck pace’ grindcore blastbeat licks. In eight songs, …

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