Southampton U.K.’s Moss – from the respected Rise Above record label – certainly earn the all caps of the “pure DOOM METAL” descriptor in their press release.
A double album of melodic death metal may seem like a headscratcher at first, but Soilwork fired a warning shot with their last album, The Panic Broadcast.
There’s a trend happening that finds aging German thrash bands reinvigorated, laser-focused on bashing out killer Thrash 101 courses for the young ‘uns.
“Witness” kicks off with a resounding “Son Of A Bitch!” followed by a mix of heavy guitars and synth riffs mixed with enough power to make your guts rumble.
Wholeheartedly embracing their Katatonia worship. Epic, melancholy metal dire enough for a black night, but too melodic to be confused with the drearier doom.
The Norwegians are a little more interested in pushing some different sounds, and even if some of them stand in stark contrast, they all work in context.
Modern life is a real drag according to the The Bronx’s lyrics, but you wouldn’t know it from the kick-ass, muscled boogie-punk that these LA punkers jerk out.
Before the phrase “Italian power metal” sends you screaming for the exits, know that Secret Sphere craft a pretty sweet Dream Theater-style instrumental opener.
I like an opening act that can work a crowd just as much as the next guy who arrived too early, and this Jersey crew has the talent to accomplish that feat.
The irony-free pomp and ponderous nature of most symphonic/prog/power metal usually gives me a limp noodle right quick, but I’ve gotta hand it to Angra.
Bow Down Before The Blood Court is packed with crushing, brutal death metal, with little room to breathe, like on the bludgeoning “Piled Up For The Scavengers.”