Album Review: "Arch Stanton" by Karma To Burn

Arch Stanton

The guitar instrumental album.

Being a person who attempts to play the guitar and growing up when I did, I love the guitar instrumentalists: Vai, John 5, Satch, Dinner Music For The Gods, and Buckethead.

I'm also sure there's another hundred thousand I'm  not familiar with whom I'd love if I had the chance to hear them.

It's well documented that I love instrumental guitar, but I also greatly enjoy the symphony, blues guitar, and even some jazz.

Vocals and lyrics aren't the basis of a song for me, so I can appreciate the gorgeousness of simply hearing someone playing an instrument. Having said all that, I know that most people in the United States cannot appreciate instrumental music and require vocals or it's not a song.

I just don't get that.

Album Review: "The Deathmass Cloak" by Ghoulgotha

The Deathmass Cloak

I started this silly blog because I was kind of old and I wanted to show the people of my generation that there is still quality new music being made.

The day in late 2011 when I noticed that all of the CDs in my car were from 2011 was kind of an eye opener.

As for what I'm reviewing today, it doesn't get any newer than this. Today we're listening to the debut record of San Diego's Ghoulgotha. These are the best kinds of records. Will they be like Slayer and continue down the same kind of path?

Completely change like Metallica or The Black Keys? There are many different things that can happen. It's exciting.

Ghoulgotha's final line up was created in the summer of 2012 and they immediately put some music to tape with the two song demo, No Peace To Rest In. Now we have the full slice.

Album Review: "Duin" by Condor

Duin

This is another one of the it's a smaller world reviews.

Today's artist, Condor, is from Colombia, South America.

Aside from Sepultura, Sarofago, and other Brazilian metal acts, how many South American extreme metal bands can you name?

Well, I can also toss out Maze of Terror from Peru, but I'm kind of at a loss for the rest of the continent off the top of my, but I'm pretty sure that these pages have seen other brutal metallers from south of the Tropic of Cancer.

Condor has only been in existence for a short time, since 2012. Their debut record, Nadia, was hailed as a masterpiece.

The members are veterans of other bands. Antonio Espinosa and Andres Felipe Lopez are both from Vertebrae. Alejandro Solano is also a member of Personal Device. The band is rounded out by Francisco Fernandez.

Album Review: "Death's Not Dead" by The Crown

Death's Not Dead

Again we return to my personal favorite metal subgenre: Death Metal.

Our subject today is not from my native shores of the United Sates of America, but from far across the pond in Trolhattan, Sweden.

There must be something to the long winter nights that turns their young people really, really metal.

The Crown is hardly a new band, though this is their third name. Their first, Crown of Thorns had to be dropped following an injunction by the American band of the same name.

Then some legal wrangling and they're back at it. Though, it's been 15 years since their last album and many years after their original breakup, this album features four of the five original members, only guitarist, Robin Sorqvist lacks the original pedigree, but let us move onto the music.

Album Review: "Third Beastial Mutilation" by Stormvold

Third Beastial Mutilation

Honestly, I'm really surprised at some of the music that comes my way.

I do have personal policies when it comes to what I'll review and what I'll check out even. There are things that I've looked at them and thought...no...no way in hell..haha

When I saw the title Third Beastial Mutilation, I have to be honest, it seemed fairly certain to me that this music would be too offensive to be published here.

I didn't give it much of a perusal and didn't read the presser that accompanied it too closely. When music has a title like this, it's typically not that good.

In metal, offensive titles are the same thing as selling sex instead of music.  Well, I listened to this album and I realized that it's far more than just a title, and the artwork doesn't jive with what I normally take as intentionally offensive music, so I listened to it.

Album Review: "Reign of Ungodly Creation" by Decimation

Reign of Ungodly Creation

Today we continue with albums that have been released that slipped through my fingers over the last couple months.

This Fall  has been one of the best I can remember for metal, and especially extreme metal.

Hell, this has been a great year for music all around. In this day and age where an album can be recorded for mere pennies and then distributed all over the world for less...

It honestly is a great day to be alive.

But, on today's album review. Decimation is a veteran band who've been at this for over 15 years. During that decade and a half, they have carved out their own brand of death metal.

Reign of Ungodly Creation is the follow up to 2010's Anthems of an Empyreal Dominion. They are quite literately loquacious aren't they?

Interview: Lenny Burnett of Zero Down Talks "No Limit To The Evil"

Recently I had the opportunity to review Zero Down's latest album, No Limit To The Evil, out now.

I have to say that I absolutely loved this record. 

What I really reacted to was how Zero Down refers to themselves as a traditional metal band.
As we all know, in the last 20 years or so, we'll blame thrash metal for beginning this, metal has really splintered into very different subgenres. 

Many folks seem to act like the subgenres are wholly separate entities instead of just different kinds of metal. It's pretty funny. No one would say that Kiss is Arena Rock whereas Led Zeppelin is Blues-Rock and it mean something more than something to say, but here we are.

Lenny Burnett took some time to talk to me about that and other silly things I decided to ask him....

Album Review: "I" by Olde

I

Here's another review sent to me by the artists.

By now, it seems like this feeling would have gotten tired, but here we are!

Olde is from the fabled Canadas, across the St. Lawrence Seaway, as is their label, Hypaethral Records.

Much like Germans and David Hasselhoff, I love Canada and have a hard time saying no to one them, especially if they speak the dual languages of their home and native land.

Or watch Degrassi Junior High. I love that show. I have no idea about these fellows though....

So, Olde is a doom/stoner metal band, but they've taken a new approach to the genre. As we move on with the review, we'll get into what they are and what they are not.

Album Review: "Battalion" by Humiliation

Battalion

It's always nice to hear new music, quality music that is.

Today we're living in a smaller world thanks to the magic of the internet. Cross cultural sharing is so much more common today than it was just 20  years ago.

Think of the death metal scene 20 years ago. 80% of the bands I think of as death metal from 1994 are all American and most of them are from Tampa, Florida.

Flash forward to now and we're looking at many more death metal scenes besides just that one scene and the grindcore scene from England.

Today's review subject is a brutal metal band from the other side of the planet. Humiliation  hails from the small nation of Malaysia. I cannot name a single other band from Malaysia, though I'm sure they exist. In 1994, would we have even given a second thought them? Probably not.

Album Review: "Occupation Poetry" by Signalfeide

Operation Poetry

I prefer to always be reviewing albums that are about to come out, but I don't always have that luxury.

Case in point, I've been getting emails from some bands lately that want me to check out their material. Well, I think it's safe to say that after nearly 240 different albums reviewed, people can get a good idea as to my taste and what's going to move me.

So, I get excited when I receive an email directly from the artists themselves and I have a trio of them that need to be heard. Our mission here is "Music you need to hear."

There's nothing about release dates listed there. So yes, this album is out now and can be purchased today.

The email I received from the enigmatic J.N. referred to Signalfeide as a pagan act. Really, what in the world does that mean? I mean Huntress and King Diamond, I guess are pagan metal...but this is so far removed from them...

Album Review: "Death Angel" by Dreadlords

Death Angel

The best thing about running this little blog is when I get to hear something that's totally unlike anything else in this world.

And that is just what I'm listening to today.

This album features Blues and Americana.

Both of these genres are having rebirths the likes of which most people never saw coming. Pokey LaFarge, The Decemberists, and hell even Robert Plant are playing Americana and Blues.

Today's review subjects hail from Pennsylvania and come from two different bands, T.O.M.B. and Panther Modern.

 The Dreadlords are Brian Zimmerman on banjo, Samantha Viola on drums, bells, and other ritual instruments, and J. Gannon on vocals. Really, it's a strange line up of instruments for some very strange music.

Album Review: "Silent So Long" by Emigrate

Silent So Long

Again, we're reviewing music from Germany. Home of Per Mertesacker, Mezut Ozil, Lucas Podolski, and the rest of the World Champion German Footballers.

This feels like about the eleventh German record I've reviewed this Fall.

I also already made my David Hasselhoff joke, so that's right out. Can I take a moment to congratulate Per, Mezut, and Lucas for their World and FA Cup double?

Well, this record shockingly has nothing to do with my soccer fandom. (I know right?) Today's album is the side (solo) project of Rammstein's Richard Kruspe.

I'm  no going to give the same mention I gave when reviewing Mark Tremonti's solo record, but moreso. I do not like Rammstein at all. I have nothing kind to say about their music. More than that, I do not like electronic music, typically.

Album Review: "Hollow" by My Shameful

Hollow

One of my favorite things about metal is the ridiculous amount of sub-genres of metal that there are.

I am well on the record for having poked at the sheer amount and prideful tendencies that go with them. A friend of mine is very much about these sub-genres and how much they mean....

I get a giggle out of them really. I do. It's very funny to me. If you ask this old guy, metal really only comes in about three varieties, heavy, speed, and extreme.

Now I've rambled, but here's the point...in the presser I received about today's review, My Shameful, they were referred to as doom metal with death metal tendencies.

So, I'm picturing this as cyborg metal. Robots rising up to play metal and mating with humanity in order to achieve a more perfect version of metal that's played by musicians partially made of metal.

Ok, I have really gone off of the deep end here, so let's continue....

Album Review: "No Limit To The Evil" by Zero Down

No Limit To The Evil

Today we consider Seattle based traditional metallers, Zero Down.

This is another one of those times when I'm first hearing a band as I listen to their record for review.

Before really going further, let's discuss the term traditional metal. What precisely does that mean?

When I was growing up, I'd have called this album metal. In the end it's not overly fast, so it's not Thrash/Speed Metal. It's not hyper brutal, played at 1,000 MPH, and not overflowing with blast beats or growls, so it's not death metal.

They don't sing about fantastical worlds and cram in 100 guitar solos, so it's not power metal. No growling, anti-church themes propped up by a keyboard, so it's not Black Metal.

Album Review: "Prolapse" by American Heritage

Prolapse

Today we  have a group called American  Heritage up for review. It's a bit funny that their album is being put out on a record label from Clemont-Ferrand in France.

This is their first album for Solar Flare Records.

The Chicago based quartet has been around for some time with low brow music and lyrics.

Originally formed in 1997, they have been writing and recording music for a very long time, even though their first full length album wasn't released until until nine years later, 2006's Millenarian.

Before that, they put out several EPs, took part in compilations, and split EPs nearly every year or so. Their style is sure to be music to the ears of many folks in the wider world.

Album Review: "EastfrisiaApokalypse" by Eastfrisian Terror

EastfrisiaApokalypse

Today we're looking into some foreign grind/death metal, but in the end most of this kind of music is a bit foreign. Napalm Death, Carcass, etc those are the godfathers of today's review.

Eastfrisian Terror hails all the way from Germany, Emden, Germany to be exact.

Normally, I do not think of Germany as being all that metal really. I suppose it's the David Hasselhoff thing that makes me think that. 

I still picture discos blaring pop and dance music over there....But today we're looking past that and into the glaring face of metal. Metal, they definitely are.

An interesting note about this band, Eastfrisian Terror, is that they do not sing in English. When it comes to death/grind/etc it really doesn't matter, but the song titles are in German, but in their home dialect and not standard German, which makes it all the more interesting.

Album Review: "The Birthday People EP" by The Birthday People

The Birthday People

From time to time there are albums that pass in and out of my view.

In this case, I was familiar with some of the musicians involved, but there was a bit more than just that.

It's that cover. That cover makes me laugh hysterically. My daughter looked at it last night and said, "Is that me, daddy?"

I just had to laugh and tell her that had that photo been of her, I would have most likely been arrested by now. She's still young enough that I'm pretty sure that these words don't mean a whole bunch to her...which is nice.

So, obviously, I was intrigued by the cover. I tend to think that it's easy to get an idea of the personality of a record based on the cover. At least that's how it SHOULD be....

Album Review: "Devil Down" by Twingiant

Devil Down

Today's review subject hails from the desert city of Phoenix, AZ.

Can you think of any other bands from that area? I believe that Godhunter is from Tuscon, AZ...but I also have no idea how far apart these cities are and the aforementioned Godhunter has very little in common from Twingiant.

The similarities end at playing high gain guitars and metal.

Formed in 2010, their idea was to play loud as all get out rock'n'roll, but in today's society, grooving rock music gets classified under the Stoner Metal category...

Our good friends Crobot can attest to that I think.

Twingiant has been fairly active in their short time in existence. Today we're looking at their sophomore LP, Devil Down, but aside from their debut, they also have an EP to their credit and will be releasing a Split EP next year and going on tour.

Album Review: "Sweet Static" by Bruiser Queen

Sweet Static

I'm going to assume for a minute that you kind of care about me, your friend and humble narrator.

As I write this, I'm sitting in a hotel room in Birmingham, AL on a business trip. Yes, I'd love to tell you that writing about music is how I pay my bills, but even though it's my passion, it's a non-paid endeavor.

Presently, St. Louis's own Bruiser Queen is pouring out of my speakers and it kind of feels like a love note from home.

As anyone who listens to KWMU or reads my other, mostly inactive, blog knows, I'm a fan of St. Louis City, MO. Frankly, I'm feeling a little homesick.

I'm in the deep south and I don't have my friends and family here, but I'm happy to say that my hosts and fellow travelers are keeping me very busy, hence why I'm writing this seven hours before it publishes! All that being said, I'm going to tell you what I think about our local band....

Album Review: "The Art of Vengeance" by NervoChaos

The Art of Vengeance

It's been a little while since I've reviewed new band from Brazil.I suppose the last one was Sarcofago...

When it comes to Brazilian extreme metal, everyone is familiar with the might Sepultura...as was the singer of Sarcofago.

NervoChaos is an extreme metal band from Brazil, Sao Paolo to be exact, but that's about all they have in common with the two aforementioned acts.

As I alluded earlier, NervoChaos has been around for nearly 20 years and could scarcely be considered a new band on the scene.

Vengeance is their sixth album and their first studio record since 2012's To The Death. Clearly this is one of those times where a veteran band has slipped my radar and I don't know what NervoChaos is, but thankfully, they don't seem to know either.

Album Review: "Dear Insanity" by Eye of Solitude

Dear Insanity

Months ago, I contacted Eye of Solitude directly to receive their album Canto III for review.  I don't recall precisely why I did, but that email ended up opening some doors for me.

Though I take it seriously, this blog is a hobby of mine and our friends from London did me a great favor by putting me in touch with Kaotoxin Records, their label.

I should mention also that Kaotoxin, from France, has sent me a giant box of CDs to send to our troops serving overseas. I cannot thank them enough and all of the organizations who've helped me brighten the days for our fighting men and women.

As I'm writing this on Veterans Day, I'm especially misty. I have a friend over there right now and my best friend spent over two years there....but that's hardly the point. Sorry for the jingoism!

Let's move forward to Eye of Solitude's latest, Dear Insanity, because I hope you're interested in my review.

Album Review: "The Whole Night Thru" by Sam Llanas

The Whole Night Thru

This is one of those situations where I received an album by someone whom I'm frankly not familiar with at all.

Sam Llanas isn't new in any stretch of the imagination.

He was a founding member of the roots rock band The BoDeans, whom I've heard of, but for the life of me I can't name any songs by them.

He was also a member of the band Absinthe, also whom I can tell you nothing about.

I've had the beverage and I found it disappointing, but that's about as far as I can get here. I can tell you he's been at the music game for a very long time and he's known for his acoustic guitar work, but for the rest, I'm flying blind here.

Interview: Alex Skolnick Tells Me About His World Music

Alex Skolnick

Alex Skolnick's latest project, Alex Skolnick's Planetary Coalition, drops today on 11/11/14.

If you missed it, check out the review here... Glacially Musical Alex Skolnick.

When I first heard about this album I will confess myself confused. Long have I been a fan of Testament and I knew full well that Skolnick had a different side to him and played in a jazz trio, but I'd never heard it.

My email foretold of an album that wouldn't be metal in anyway. There's a part of me that was sad upon reading this news, because well, those chops.

I was willing to give this album a listen with a truly open mind and the CD has not left my car as of yet. It's destined to be one those records that confuses my wife when it comes up after Napalm Death or King Diamond.

Alex was kind enough to answer my questions about this album...

Album Review: "A Tapestry of Scabs & Skin" by Astrakhan

A Tapestry of Scabs & Skin

Let's begin today's journey in the most wonderful city in Canada...

Vancouver, British Columbia.

The "inspiration" for Buddy once stated that Heaven is a lot like Vancouver.

These fellows don't seem like they're all interested in hearing about Heaven or Buddy too much, but I'm glad that I can make a Kids In The Hall reference finally....

The opportunities don't come around all that often.

Astrakhan is supposedly peopled with veterans of the Vancouver, B.C. music scene. They're self proclaimed doom/sludge metal.

They've just signed to War On Music to release this EP.

That's about all I've got.

Album Review: "Unto The Nothing" by Fortress

Unto the Nothing

For today, we are reviewing the debut effort from Maryland's favorite sons, Fortress.

To be specific, Hagerstown is where they reside.

Based on their the musical outlook, I would wager that Hagerstown is an industrial wasteland that's been taken back by nature and looks a lot like Chernobyl does now.

Well, based on my research, Hagerstown isn't all that metal and certainly does not look like Mother Nature's reclaiming the grounds and leaving a looted industrial complex in the middle.

The only other recording Fortress has done is a demo back in 2012. Their album is being released on Unholy Anarchy Records, a small but very awesome label on  the East Coast. They also released Coffin Dust's amazing effort.

Album Review: "Suffering EP" by Putrid Offal

Suffering

It's a great time to be a death metal fan.

From new bands like Fisthammer and Coffin Dust releasing their amazing debut records to the lords of death metal and grindcore like Carcass, Obituary, Morbid Angel, Massacre, and Napalm Death releasing great, new material and touring.

Though the genre appeared to have run its course in the late 90's with many of those bands breaking up or going on hiatus.

It seems that, much like when the first generation of heavy metal, like Sabbath, Priest, and Iron Maiden, returned,

Another one of the old guard has returned. Putrid Offal, who have lain dormant for years and years, have decided to resurrect the beast and return to the world of the living.

Album Review: "Shake Electric" by Spiders

Shake Electric

When I think of countries around the world I'd like to visit, I do have to mention Sweden.

There seems to be a lot of stuff that comes out that country in Scandinavia that keeps me occupied.

Not just metal, but hockey players. I think they have chocolate, coffee, and even snus came from up there.

There must be something with the fact that it's dark there so much of the time that the Swedes just have to keep creating new things all the time.

Well, Spiders are Swedish, but they're not black metal. In fact they're not even metal at all. I know we do a lot of metal around here, and we all just kind of expect Swedes to be really metal....

Album Review: "Spiteful" by Sonny Vincent & Spite

Spiteful

Do you ever watch Futurama?

See the one where Bender tells his girlfriend, why not? Sure I like a challenge.

Sometimes that's how I feel when it comes to punk rock. It's a challenge for me just to understand it.

A friend of mine, who loves punk rock, likes to tell me that it's not music precisely, but it's an art form all on its own.

I'm still trying to wrap my head around this idea and I'm failing miserably.

My introduction to punk was the Sex Pistols and to this day, I cannot understand how anyone enjoys their music at all, but I can get behind bands like the Stooges, Paul Collins Beat Band, etc...

Album Review: "World Grave" by Death Comes Pale (Re-release)

World Grave

Before we get started here I feel like I should mention that you really need to check out this album artwork.

Metal never gave up on kick ass album covers... I'm not sure why most other genres have really. So take a moment and click it and see what I'm fussing about.

Up for your consideration and my review is the latest album by the Danish death metal band, Death Comes Pale.

I think that's a pretty awesome name. The fact that they come from the most brutal country of Denmark is also pretty cool. Let's not forget that Messirs King Diamond and Lars Ulrich also hail from the tiny country.

It was also the setting of the most brutal Shakespearean play, Hamlet, but these goodfellows aren't connected to any of those things other than by nation....

Album Review: "Crimen Sonoro" by Troker

Crimen Sonoro

Every now and again I receive an album of music that I'm at a loss for words to describe, but we'll get to that in a bit.

Hailing from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, Troker has been doing this kind of music for some time.

When I think of Guadalajara, I think of Chivas...but that's another story.

The group has been around for over ten years. They started as a bar band in their hometown.

They've undergone many changes over the years. From a rock band, to a jazz band, to whatever in the world they are now. If you can figure it out for me I'd be eternally grateful... If you think that music has become stale and predictable...read on.

Album Review: "Alex Skolnick's Planetary Coalition" by Alex Skolnick

Planetary Coalition

This is one of those things where I realize where I've come from and where I'm going.

Now, I've not been able to tell you by name, or pick out his face, but I've been aware of Alex Skolnick for a very, very long time.

In 1992, I attended my very first show....it was the Iron Maiden Fear of the Dark Tour and the opening acts were Corrosion of Conformity, and Testament....

Looking back, that's an interesting line up....and from what I remember, it was awesome. Things got cloudy that day and that's all I'm going to say.

However, this album has nothing to do with Testament whatsoever. In fact, no one from the band is on this record. Please forget everything you think that this album is going to sound like. Seriously, forget everything.

"Human Ruin" by Funerals

Human Ruin

All the way from Portland, OR we have today's band up for review:

Funerals.

Simple and to the point. It's really a wonder that no one has ever used that name for a band before.

Back to Portland. When I think of Portland, I think of the Keep Portland Weird Campaign, "Portlandia," and other goofy things.

Doom metal is about the furthest thing from my mind when it comes to that idyllic part of These United States, but as I kind of would like to live there one day, I'm glad to see there's a metal scene.

I suppose though, in America's happiest city (not intended to be a factual statement), that the weirdest thing you could do is start a metal band.

Album Review: "God of Zombies" by Warmblood

God of Zombies

Today we peruse the latest release of Lodi, Italy's Warmblood.

There are two things that are immediately noticeable about this band:

1) They're a trio without a bass player. When their bassist quit Warmblood, they decided to continue without him.

2) They're drummer is a female. No disrespect to Jill Janus Huntress or Angela Gossow and Alissa White-Gulz of Arch Enemy, but it's very cool to see a woman in a death metal band who's playing an instrument instead of just singing.

You also won't hear anything from me with the phrase, for a woman in it. Like an athletic team, a band is a group of personalities and you have to find the right ones, but it's really nice when there's more than just white guys playing metal. Body Count is another great fist to that stereotype, but let's focus up again on Warmblood.

Album Review: "Obsolescence" by Abysmal Dawn

Obsolescence

From Los Angeles, California:

Abysmal Dawn.

Every now and again, a veteran band will pass into my purview and I kind of wonder how I'd never come across them before.

The biggest example of this was Chicago/The Czech Republic's Master. I'm still flabbergasted that I'd never gotten my ears on any of their music back in the old days.

Abysmal Dawn is another act that kind of feels this way. The band was formed in 2003 and they released their first full length LP in 2005, From Ashes.

Over the years their line up has remained relatively static. In eleven years, they've only added a bass player. Obsolescence is their fourth album and being released on Relapse Records.

Album Review: "Inked In Blood" by Obituary

Inked In Blood

The mighty Obituary.

When I hear the term Death Metal, there are a handful of bands that come to my mind immediately. Napalm Death, Carcass, Deicide, Morbid Angel...

And Obituary.

Back in the 90's when I was in a mood for the heaviest of the heavy, their seminal Cause of Death would be placed into my 5 Disc Changer. Oh those days.

They've been dormant for the past five years, since their Darkest Day record, but they are now unleashing their ninth studio record to the masses and embarking on a North American Tour with Carcass and Exhumed. There's a St. Louis date on 11/02 at Pop's.

Album Review: "XIII Steps To Ruination" by Annihilated

XIII Steps To Ruination

Annihlated was formed in 2008 by guitarists Eric Mantanga and Robert Fimbres not long after the Los Angeles band, Excretion unraveled.

They desired to make important music that didn't follow the mold and trends of modern metal.

Their lyrical themes rebel against the sheep mentality of society and seek rational thought in regards to our government.

XIII Steps To Ruination was produced by drummer, Scott Fuller and will be released on Unique Leader Records.

The album features cameos from many metal performers like Sven De Caluwe of Aborted, Monte Pittman of Prong, Peter Truax of Vesterian and Eyes of Fire, and Eric Stobel of Plaguereaper.

"Ecdysis" by Horrendous

Ecdysis by Horrendous

Horrendous hails from the East Coast. This not an area where traditional death bands do not come from.

Philadelphia, PA to be exact. Though this has never been a death metal hotbed, there have been other bands to emerge from the area,

Coffin Dust and Fisthammer certainly are among those bands.

Though after watching as much of The Wire as I've been watching should have taught me that there are some pretty brutal areas on the East Coast...

They are one of the leaders of the traditional death metal revival and today we're reviewing their sophomore release. In the end, will this area of the United States be as revered as Tampa Bay is for Death Metal or as the San Francisco Bay Area is for Thrash Metal?

Time will tell.

Album Review: "Deathless" by Revocation

Deathless

Boston's Revocation has been a very active band over the past eight years.

They have released four albums, an EP, and performed countless live shows.

In September, they began a tour with Crowbar to support their fifth album. They will head out on more tours when it's over in Europe and all parts beyond.....

Hopefully they'll be arriving in St. Louis here very soon....

The core of the group was formed in 2006 and from that point, they went on a tear of recording and touring. During this time, they honed their skills as musicians and these days they are among the best in the business.

There is a whole lot of amazing technical work on this record. I could honestly go on and on about how skilled they are as players, but I think that might be a bit boring.

Album Review: "Back From The Abyss" by Orange Goblin

Back From The Abyss

Last year my friend and I were on our way to see Manchester City and Chelsea FC play the first ever soccer match in the confines of Busch Stadium.

He is a big fan of stoner metal and at that point, I'd never heard such music, well at least beyond High On Fire anyway.

He'd introduced me to Orange Goblin that day and needless to say I've been pretty excited to write up this review after seeing they had a new record coming out.

Honestly, I don't know how metal Orange Goblin is...but anyway.

Stoner Metal is something that I think most people don't know a whole lot about. It gets even less play than Death Metal. I kind of liken it to music that's more descended from Black Sabbath than Motorhead and Judas Priest. It's still bluesy and oftentimes psychedelic.

Album Review: "Suicide In B Minor" by Whispers In Crimson

Suicide In B Minor

I'm going to start this review with a bit of a story about myself. I've been a heavy metal guy for as long as I can remember. Listening to Iron Maiden when I was eight years old.

I took a lot of flack for it, especially in some of the rural areas where I lived. It's hip to rock a pentagram now, but in 1985, not so much.

However, I'm nothing compared to today's review. Whispers In Crimson hail from Iran. In their homeland, metal is illegal. Iran's oppressive regime could imprison them or gods know what else just for playing heavy metal.

That is the most metal thing I have ever heard. Now, I feel like I need to mention something. Because in America praising a railroad system means that you think China is superior to us... Nothing I say in this review praises the current oppressive regime of Iran.

"Al Insane ... The(Re)Birth of abderrahmane" by Lelahell

Algerian Death Metal.

Please take a moment to let that sink in. I can wait.

Two weeks ago had you said those three words to me, well I would not have believed this existed, but then I received an email from Lelahell.

When I think of their home country of Algeria, I'll be honest, I don't think of death metal but Zinedine Zadane and Samir Nasri (still angry at the latter for quitting Arsenal by the way...).

So needless to say, I was interested in hearing this album. I cannot think of any other metal bands from this area of the world. Please enjoy this brutal export.

"Doom Philosophy" by Sorrows Path

Doom Philosophy

About 15 months ago, I was contacted by Sorrows Path regarding their previous record, The Rough Path of Nihilism. Unfortunately, it didn't work out to make it onto the blog, but here we are today, with their brand new record, Doom Philosophy.

I made sure to take time out to check out this record front to back.

It should be noted that ex-King Diamond and Mercyful Fate member, Snowy Shaw is even guesting on a track. I just love King Diamond, what can I say?

Sorrows Path has been on again and off again since 1993 and I can't honestly tell you from which country in Europe they hail. Germany? Greece?

I'm not sure and the internet is frankly not much help here, but where the band hails from, the members aren't from a single nation anyway.

"Parasitic Unborn EP" by Victims of Contagion

Victims of Contagion are the latest indie band to send me their album.

They self describe as a technical death metal band.

Again, we arrive to the horribly convoluted cross section of metal subgenres where just a tiny little difference means it's an entirely different kind of music.

Honestly, much of the time I can't even tell you what this or that means. Technical death metal, blackened death metal, death metal with a side of rye...I don't know.

They hail from the far off land of Pittsburgh, PA, a steel town. When we look back into the annals of metal, we remember that Black Sabbath formed in Birmingham, England. Good metal comes from steel towns where metal is quite literally in the air and your blood.

"Sonic Child" by Zodiac

Sonic Child

Close your eyes and think about the golden age of music.

Seriously.

What do you picture? If you are the average American music lover in 2014, you're probably picturing 1974 and you see a golden maned singer with his shirt buttoned only about halfway and a Gibson Les Paul slung over the shoulder of the man on this left.

(Hopefully you're also reading this blog in order to see that quality music is still being made.)

Lots of folks believe that quality music has stopped being made years and years ago. Most of terrestrial radio is all about "Classic Rock." Well, needless to say, I'm not in agreement with that kind of thinking, which is not to say I don't love my 70's rock. Today's review, Zodiac, doesn't seem to know it's not 1974 anymore...

"Imperium" by Internal Bleeding

Imperium

New York City.

Thinking of the Big Apple, my mind wanders to a ridiculous campaign about salsa not being from New York.

However, this isn't about salsa or TV, but a death metal band that's been together for over twenty years. So few acts reach 20 years, much less any interpersonal relationships, but here they are.

Of course Death Metal's not from New York either...

They reared their heads in 1992 with the demo, Invocation of Evil, and went through some serious trials and some serious metal eating its own young.

They refer to their style as "Total F------ Slam." They saw what they were doing as a different kind of death metal, though they have been written off as generic death metal, a close listening shows that's not really the case....

"Towards The Light" by Dominhate

Towards the Light

Today's album up for review is the latest by Dominhate.

This is another one of the bands who have risen from the ashes of another and dealt with members coming and going, but in the end, they have arrived.

They are self-described as "death thrash," and I can fully state that I'm not entirely sure what that means.

I have always seen death metal to be a natural evolution of thrash metal and not a completely different animal entirely. Both genres are fast, both make good use of high gain, riffing, and double bass blast beats.

In the end, even Spew (a division of Punishment 18 Records, so named for their dedication to thrash.) agrees that they are not a death metal band, but they at least count somewhat as a thrash band.

Album Review: "Molotov" by Burning Nitrum

Molotov

Iron Maiden began the heavy metal history of album covers.

The album cover should grab your attention. When you see it, you should have an idea of what's going on inside the record. The Digital Era may have killed album covers for many genres, but not metal.

Take a moment to look at it. Click on it. It's ok, I'll wait.

Immediately the cover inspires chivalry, totalitarian disdain, and rebellion against injustice.

Maybe I'm just naive...

Formed in 2010, by the vocalist, David Cillo, Burning Nitrum has released an EP, a demo, and a single. Now we're looking at their debut LP. Let's dive in while it's hot.

Album Review: "Welcame" by Rise of the North Star

Welcame

Today's subject comes all the way across the Atlantic, past Ireland, and the rest of the United Kingdom into France.

What's interesting about this particular group is that their spirit comes from even farther away than that...all the way from Japan.

Personally, I'm an Otaku. So I can definitely get into using Japanese culture and art when looking for inspiration. I have a tattoo on my arm in kanji that was for my own encouragement.

When I saw katakana on the album cover and saw their name was that of a popular manga, anime, and video game, I had to admit a small bias, but it turned out ok.

They are described as thrasher, but they are so much more than that. Their tunes are a very welcome mix of thrash, punk, NYC hardcore and yes, even rap.

Album Review: "Just Hip Enough To Be a Woman" by BRONCHO

Just Hip Enough To Be a Woman

In 2011, BRONCHO released their debut record, saw some success and took on two years of touring.

Well, any time that a brand new band who can tour for two years on their debut album, you'd have to think that everything is coming up rosy for them right?

Well in our heroes' case, that was simply was not how it would come to be.

While they were on tour behind the record, the record label collapsed and BRONCHO was left on the road without any tour support.

They pulled together and not only finished the tour but continued writing music and found another label and recorded their sophomore album, Just Hip Enough To Be a Woman. Thankfully for us, quitting was never an idea they considered. They believed in themselves and the songs.

Album Review: "Baphomet Pan Shub-Niggurath" by Unaussprechlichen Kulten

Baphomet Pan Shub-Niggurath

It's been a long time since we've had any Black Metal around here. In fact, I'm not sure if we have ever reviewed a black metal album.

Today, the album review is for Chile's Unaussprechlichen Kulten and their third full length album which is their first LP release since 2008.

That is not to say that in the previous six years that our new friends from Santiago haven't been busy.

They have been releasing a steady stream of EP's, splits, etc since then, including two releases in 2013 alone.

Lyrically, their songs are based in the Chutulu Mythos. The name of the band, which I cannot pronounce, translates to nameless cult and is the name of a fictional book that was referenced in a story by H.P. Lovecraft. Fitting eh?

Album Review: "GH/0ST:S" (Split) by Godhunter & Secrets of the Sky

GH/0ST:S

Earlier this year, two bands one from Tuscon, AZ, Godhunter and one from Oakland, CA, Secrets of the Sky, released a limited edition cassette tape.

It was limited to a mere 100 copies!

This item was only available on tour, and frankly, that's a loss to the rest of us who would like a turn.

Well, we are all now in luck as the bands have connected with Battleground Records to release this split.

EP? Well it's got less songs than Reign In Blood, but it's nearly ten minutes longer.

God Hunter is fresh off their LP debut, but has been released on several splits over their career. Secrets of the Sky have also released their debut EP, but this is only their second release, and first split.