Album Review: "The Immortal Wars" by Ex Deo

No other genre of music has sub-genres like heavy metal does. Not only are there dozens of sub-genres which explain the sonic qualities of a band, but there are sub-genres which are purely thematic which reflect the band’s lyrical content and stage appearance. 

 There is the much celebrated and beloved Viking Metal, Pirate Metal, Teutonic Metal, Egyptian Metal, Pagan Metal and at least a dozen more which are not occurring to me right now. Besides maybe Vikings, there is probably nothing more metal than an armor clad legionnaire charging into combat with the name of Caesar on his lips and the might of Jupiter at his back. So it stands to reason it was only a matter of time before the need for Roman Metal was necessarily met.

I cannot imagine a band could execute it more capably than Ex Deo. The glory of Ancient Rome has never been so appropriately displayed as when Ex Deo storms the stage in garb fit for an invasion of Gaul, whilst performing symphonic death metal.

Album Review: "Moonbathers" by Delain

Delain is a Dutch symphonic metal band which takes its name from a fictitious kingdom featured in my favorite Steven King novel.  They are highly regarded throughout Europe, have released five full length albums and two EPs, all but one of which have charted in several countries.  They also play amazing heavy music which fits neatly into the wheelhouse of what I want to hear.  Yet, until they announced a North American tour with my favorite band Hammerfall, they had almost completely escaped my attention.

This is a fine example of why I find it so frustrating when someone declares there is no good music coming out, or decrying the death of rock.  I try to keep up with new music, and by virtue of reviewing albums for this website, am daily bludgeoned with access to much of the best new metal. Yet, I still regularly miss some of the finest bands.  The problem is quite opposite of the rumors of rock's death, there is so much quality material, some of it gets lost in the shuffle.

Sill, this is only part of the problem.  The other part is I live in the United States, where symphonic metal seems to be tragically unappreciated.  I have a few theories on why this might be so, but I am not sure any of them are valid or supportable enough to see print.  Whatever the reason, it seems Nightwish, Lacuna Coil and Evanescence (whom I consider to be close enough to symphonic metal to bear mention here) are the only of these acts to have garnered significant attention stateside.

Album Review: "Built To Last" by Hammerfall

On November 27, 2002, I had tickets to see Dio perform at Pop's in Sauget, Illinois.  The opening band was a leatherclad powermetal outfit from Sweden called HammerFall, which was heretofore unknown to me, or most of America at the time.  

I had already staked out a spot in the front row in anticipation of Dio when HammerFall hit the stage with such a ferocity, energy and quality of musicianship, they became my favorite band by their third song. 

I have been greatly impressed by an unknown band on several occasions since, but never to this level.  I remember singer Joacim Cans, noting my enthusiasm, and saluting the diehard fans up front.  Joacim was right, I was a diehard, but what he did not know was I had only been one for 15 minutes.

Album Review: "Astra Symmetry" by Monkey3

The psychedelic slow groove music of Monkey3, isn’t going to generate any mosh pits, yet is still a heavy listen in its own right.  It is exactly the sort of music one would expect from a jam band sonically creating a map of the cosmos. 

Astra Symmetry, the fifth album from the Swiss quartet, is a concept album which attempts to serve as a trippy soundtrack to the zodiac.  Although they have toured Europe extensively and earned the respect of their native continent, this may be the album to finally expand the boundaries of their empire.

Album Review: "Mass Confusion" by Dust Bolt

In many ways thrash is the subgenre of music which permanently put heavy metal on the map in the United States.  Sunset Strip glam metal was hugely popular and slightly preceded thrash.  However, many argue glam metal is not true metal and it has clearly fallen out of favor.  (I believe glam metal is true metal, it has never fallen out of my favor, and I continue to worship at its altar regularly, but realize it has its detractors).   

The Florida death metal scene was also an American contribution, and has a tremendously devoted fan base, but has failed to produce any genre transcending iconic bands.  

Thrash on the other hand, having hit its peak during the height of  American metal interest in the late 80, produced some of metal music’s few undeniably metal household names, such as Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax.  In addition, thrash has remained a viable genre, with new thrash albums blasting their way into our ears regularly.

Album Review: "Death Thy Lover" by Candlemass

Swedish doom metal masters Candlemass have never been shy about embracing their likeness to the genre’s founders Black Sabbath, having incorporated several Sabbath tunes into their set-list over the years.   They are nowhere near the only band to build castles upon the foundations of early Sabbath, but when it comes to recreating the plodding downtuned crunch of Iommi and the boys, no one has done it better.  In a country which has produced a disproportionate number of the world’s best metal bands , it is extremely significant to have been voted by Scandinavians as the greatest metal band to ever originate in Sweden. 

Their perfectly titled debut album Epicus Doomicus Metallicus is considered a classic of the genre, but it has been 30 years and several line-up changes since its release, so one could wonder if they still had a quality product to deliver.  The answer, as evidenced by their soon to be released new EP Death Thy Lover, is a resounding yes.

Album Review: "Buried In Violence" by Product of Hate

Buried In Violence

My perfect Sunday...

If you saw Hot Fuzz and have a memory like mine, that line always resonates with you.

On my perfect Sunday, I like do the same things. I like to watch movies I've seen a thousand times.

Now, I know this sounds boring, but I also didn't tell you about the tea and biscuits....and the M&Ms.

But that's how I love to spend them. Sometimes, I'm not adventurous. I want to see and enjoy something timeless.

Everyone has something in their life like this. Music is the same way. I love experimental bands, emphasis on the mental, and bands that use well worn cliches, and some that aren't genre bending wizards.

Album Review: "Static" by Huntress

Static

Huntress is in a very small and exclusive club.

They are the only band whom I've reviewed all of their albums.

The first two albums never really struck me very hard. Their debut was good enough, but their sophomore record doubled down on some of the aesthetic elements of the band I found to be a bit distasteful, shall we say.

Huntress has been billed as the next King Diamond or Mercyful Fate.

That's a very good thing because we need a new one. The King is getting up there in years and needs an Heir Apparent.

Unfortunately, they had not lived up to that title in their previous efforts. All of the ingredients were there, but something was always missing....

Album Review: "The Boats of the Glen Carrig" by Ahab

The Boats of the Glen Carrig

Let's have a quick lesson in metal sub-genres:

Metal, NWOBM, Thrash, Speed, Stoner, Death, Grindcore, Deathcore, Metalcore, Doom, Gloom, Symphonic, Black, and about 700 others right?

Well, as always I try to steer clear of most of the metal subgenres because I don't think what you write about makes you all that different, but hey, that's just me.

Today's review, Ahab, has created a new metal subgenre:

Nautical Doom Metal.

OK. We'll roll with this. One of the things that makes this album especially cool is that we're dealing with another highly literate metal band. This album is based off of the 1907 novel of the same name. So, Eye of Solitude might have a little competition there....

Album Review: "Time Stands Still" by Unleash the Archers

Time Stands Still

Let's talk about Canada.

The Stanley Cup Finals are in full swing, sorry Canada. The Women's World Cup is in full swing up there too right now.

Personally, I love the Great White North and frankly it's been far too long since I've made it up to our neighbor.

Being good neighbors, we've lent Canada metal or they got it from our absentee parent, The United Kingdom.

Either way, Canada has been really kicking out some great metal in the last year or so. Until recently I was caught completely unawares regarding Canadian music besides the big ones.

Metal especially. I'd like to review a metal record from each of the provinces. I think I'm still missing Quebec, PEI, Saskatchewan, BC, Alberta, New Foundland, and Nova Scotia. Come on, guys. Get on it!