Rick Ecker | Lollipop Magazine

The Sounds – Weekend – Review

December 1, 2013

The fifth album from this Swedish band. Weekend has energy and emotion to spare, and makes me wonder just what the hell people are listening to instead of this.

Twilight of the Gods – Fire On The Mountain – Review

November 11, 2013

Twilight of the Gods decided to take their combined influences of classic metal from the ’80s and do their own thing.

Maps for Travelers – Change Your Name – Review

September 13, 2013

After rigorous amounts of touring and promotion, this Kansas City, MO, quartet signed to No Sleep Records and has released their debut full-length.

DevilDriver – Winter Kills – Review

September 6, 2013

Winter Kills, DevilDriver’s sixth studio album, rages from start to finish, with balls-to-the-wall, drenched-in-sweat ragers, one after the other.

Front Line Assembly – Echogenetic – Review

August 2, 2013

Echogenetic marks a return to Front Line Assembly’s earlier all-synth phase, losing the industrial metal sound that had become a huge part of their sound.

Amon Amarth – Deceiver of the Gods – Review

July 26, 2013

Amon Amarth churn out solid album after solid album because they can replicate their style and excellent writing every time without sounding stale or tired.

Children of Bodom – Halo of Blood – Review

June 28, 2013

Hard-hitting, with a sense of melody and coarseness, this is the greatness we’ve come to expect from Children of Bodom.

ASG – Blood Drive – Review

June 21, 2013

These 12 songs are catchy, memorable, and sound like classics as soon as you hit play.

Mindless Self Indulgence – How I Learned to Stop Giving A Shit and Love – Review

May 24, 2013

“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.

Blood Ceremony – The Eldritch Dark – Review

May 17, 2013

Their style has been described as “flute-tinged witch rock,” and their lyrics are filled with black magic imagery and references to classic horror films.