DARKHAUSMy Only Shelter Oblivion / Steamhammer (2013)Rating: 7/10 Any rabid fan of a particular band will probably go and check out any other project the members may be involved in. Sometimes you’re blindsided by a musical about face that leaves said fan bewildered and feeling a bit cheated. Sometimes you encounter something so dissimilar from […]
BEASTMILKClimax Svart (2013)Rating: 9/10 Does anyone remember a time when goth was raw? Before it became commercial, goth was scary. For that matter, let’s go back a little further, to a time when the term goth wasn’t even in use yet, but bands like Christian Death, Radio Werewolf and 45 Grave were embracing the label […]
NIGHTNight Gaphals (2013)Rating: 6/10 Sweden’s Night has been active since 2011 and after two singles I’m rather surprised to see a debut full-length album emerge. This self-titled ten-track effort is the sort of album that could have done with a bit more thought. A majority of new bands today seem reliant on a few demos […]
SHEA ROXI1988 AOR Blvd (2013)Rating: 8/10 There are probably hundreds, if not thousands of bands who emerged as part of the mid to late 80s hair metal scene who never got the recognition they deserved, simply due to the fact at the time there were hordes of similar-styled acts all aiming for the same goal […]
CHASTAINSurrender To No One Leviathan (2013)Rating: 8.5/10 I was literally buzzing with excitement when I heard that Ohio’s Chastain (the brainchild of guitar wizard David T. Chastain) were reforming, and once again featuring original members Leather Leone on vocals and bassist Mike Skimmerhorn, with additional drummer Stian Kristoffersen. I have to admit that Chastain’s debut […]
SAXON Release ‘Unplugged And Strung Up’ November 18th, 2013 Yorkshire, England-based heavy metal group Saxon issued Unplugged And Strung Up on November 18th, 2013 through UDR Music. The outing was cut, mixed, and mastered with Andy Sneap in Derbyshire, England during 2013. 14 tracks were selected from Saxon’s catalogue to be either mixed, re-recorded, or […]
SHRAPNEL STORM Release Promotional CD ‘We Come In Peace…’ November 18th, 2013 Tampere, Finland-based death metal group Shrapnel Storm issued promotional CD We Come In Peace… on November 18th, 2013. The outing was cut at Shrapnel Studios in Finland. The track listing was as follows; 01. ‘Detracked’ 02. ‘Deathroller’ Produced and edited by bassist Petri […]
LEAVES’ EYESSymphonies Of The Night Napalm (2013)Rating: 6/10 Leaves’ Eyes was formed in 2003 by vocalist Liv Kristine who was unceremoniously dismissed from Norwegian trendsetters Theatre Of Tragedy, one of the first bands to incorporate the clean female vocals with gruffer male vocals as well as incorporating electronic parts into metal music. In addition to […]
SAXON – Orchestral / Acoustic Thunder Anthony Morgan November 2013 Saxon (l-r): Nibbs Carter, Nigel Glockler, Biff Byford, Doug Scarratt and Paul Quinn November 2013 studio compilation Unplugged And Strung Up – issued courtesy of Yorkshire, England-based heavy metallers Saxon – consists of 14 previously authored compositions, compositions the outfit have lent either a fresh […]
PRO-PAINThe Final Revolution Steamhammer (2013)Rating: 8/10 For my money, Pro-Pain are one of the best kept secrets in heavy music. They have consistently made excellent albums that tap the vein raised by NYC hardcore and thrash bands like Anthrax, S.O.D. and Exodus. Their sound is heavy and pounding, topped off with raging and understandable lyrics […]
