Al Ard – Al Ard
Despite what many people might believe, Black metal as a genre was always about experimentation, evolution and about finding an identity, even amongst peers. Right from its roots, Black Metal was an...
View ArticleRaw In Sect- Kitro
The use of cultural elements in heavy music is, by now, a pretty familiar concept with a plethora of bands, ethnicities and nations bringing such into their sound, whether conceptually or through...
View ArticleBetween The Buried & Me – Automata II
Forever moving to the beat of their own drum, progressive metallers Between The Buried & Me have very rarely done anything in a conventional manner. Always renowned for their madcap blend of...
View ArticleWolves In The Throne Room – Wode: Live At The Garage
Only a couple of years ago it seemed like the presence of American Black Metal legends Wolves In The Throne Room on UK shores would become a fleeting experience, if indeed it occurred again. Following...
View ArticleMutilation Rites – Chasm
Brooklyn, New York, based black metallers Mutilation Rites are a name that have been making somewhat of a buzz in some extreme metal and underground circles. Far from being a necessarily revolutionary...
View ArticleFine Creatures- Electric La La Land
Describing one’s self as “The Dirty Beatles”, however tongue in cheek, is pretty self-evidently a bold statement of intent. When it’s a claim made by a group in such an early stage about to release...
View ArticleTalons – We All Know
At this stage, it is pretty common knowledge that Holy Roar is absolutely killing it this year with their releases. So far in 2018, they have showcased many of the best young, vital and innovative...
View ArticleCrossfaith – Ex Machina
Only a few years ago, and on the back of their well-received 'Zion' EP (Sony), Crossfaith were heralded as the next big thing, armed with a formidable live reputation and an electronica/dance heavy...
View ArticleFoscor – Les Irreals Versions
As the evolution of black metal has seen it move from a primarily raw and aggressive form (albeit with plenty of variation and multiple characters even in its infancy) to the sprawling and multifaceted...
View ArticleThou – Magus
For those in the know, Baton Rouge’s Thou are a special act. Truly an underground cult, Thou have captured hearts with their intense and emotive brand of sludgy post-metal that isn’t afraid to usher in...
View ArticleThe Pineapple Thief – Dissolution
Recent years have seen UK progressive art rockers The Pineapple Thief hit a sweet spot of a niche between explorative and catchy songwriting. With the likes of 'All The Wars' and 'Magnolia' leaning...
View ArticleSkyharbor- Sunshine Dust
As a part of the early djent movement of bedroom projects that also birthed the likes of TesseracT, the multinational Skyharbor, despite gaining a decent critical reception, almost feel like the...
View ArticleDeath Metal Round Up: Cast The Stone, Stillbirth, Siege Of Power, Monstrosity...
Chris Tippell gets in and amongst the gore, guts and glory of the latest Death Metal releases... Continue reading → The post Death Metal Round Up: Cast The Stone, Stillbirth, Siege Of Power,...
View ArticleSlash, ft. Myles Kennedy And The Conspirators – Living The Dream
'Living The Dream' is certainly a pleasurable enough listen and gives the diversity you would expect, from the bouncy ‘Read Between The Lines’, the mid paced ‘Lost Inside The Girl’ and obligatory...
View ArticleRevocation – The Outer Ones
In terms of contemporary Death Metal acts, Revocation has been very prominent and a flag-bearer, yet have not always been the most consistent in terms of releases. Always proving very technically and...
View ArticleVreid- Lifehunger
Anyone who thinks that Black Metal is a conservative and formulaic sound need only look at (amongst the plethora of progressive and avant-garde entities) Norwegian’s Vreid and how have incorporated...
View ArticleMonuments – Phronesis
After two studio albums, a four year break sees the band finally make their return. However in the meantime, the Progressive Metal scenes have evolved significantly. In this new climate, it is telling...
View ArticleSet And Setting- Tabula Rasa
Instrumental Rock, as a branch of post-Metal, can be such a tricky genre to pull off well. Many times it is about a balance that bands can miss. Too often bands miss that poignancy and enchanting...
View Articleiamthemorning – Ocean Sounds
On the back notable career highs, Russian Progressive duo iamthemorning quickly became one of the modern Prog scene’s most recognisable and heralded entities. Most recent album 'Lighthouse' (Kscope)...
View ArticleToska – Fire By The Silos
Instrumental and/or Progressive Metal are incredibly tricky beasts to pull off well. Aside from the obvious chops required to make music without vocals that retain attention and engages in its own...
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