Lollipop Magazine

HateSphere – Need To Kill – Music Stream

April 15, 2012

HateSphere have long been bringers of lean, fat-free death/thrash, and “The Killer,” a cut from their seventh album, delivers the goods.

Draconian – A Rose for the Apocalypse – Review

October 7, 2011

The band’s single-minded focus on creating an all-encompassing feeling of despair means they’ll use anything at their disposal in their lengthy compositions.

Leaves’ Eyes – Njord – Review

March 1, 2010

“My Destiny” nails everything on the checklist (big hooks/mournful piano outro/big chorus/strings) and manages to corral it all into something memorable.

Hatesphere – To The Nines – Review

March 1, 2010

These Danes play a straightforward strain of speedy death along the lines of The Haunted circa One Kill Wonder. To The Nines is a lean, focused attack.

Elis – Catharsis – Review

January 1, 2010

Three releases and an EP, and they still let the guy “sing”? Third-rate female-fronted Goth metal (on Napalm? Gee, really?) with pro-production by Alex Krull.

Serenity – Fallen Sanctuary – Review

June 1, 2008

Two records deep, sounding A LOT like Sonata Arctica, who I love on late-night drives. Heavy metal, with powerful/warbling vocals, and rich, orchestral texture.

Power Quest – Master of Illusion – Review

March 1, 2008

Four albums deep, first for Napalm, formed in 2001 by UK keyboardist Steve Williams after leaving Dragon Heart (now Dragonforce).

Draconian – Turning Season Within – Review

January 1, 2008

Swedish doom, huge and looming, crystal production, sweet female vocals, and trudging guitars supporting the monster roar lamenting deep and sorrowful stuff.

Atrocity – Werk 80 II – Review

January 1, 2008

Don’t know how often I’d whip this out, but lots of these songs were sappy and dumb to start, so a mediocre Goth metal version of them is no better or worse.

Hurtlocker – Embrace The Fall – Review

June 1, 2007

Chicago’s Hurtlocker toiled in the metal underground for so long that their brand of thrash is dirtier, harder, and heavier than most.