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.
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.”