Album Reviews

Death/doom quartet Graceless returns with their third full-length album 'Chants from Purgatory' out via Raw Skull Recordz on September 30th. In 2016 the bold partnership of this Dutch outfit was established by Jesper Aptroot (bass), Marc Verhaar (drums), Björn Brusse (guitars) and Remco Kreft (vocals, guitars) generating a formula that is in a class of its own. Through impressive old-fashioned riffs the band fuses abrasive riffing with churning drums providing an energetic, but stately feel. While the guitar arrangements on the album combine caustic qualities, they make the music effectively impactful. The grinding drums and distorted bass guitar bring a sense of might.
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The language of Viktor Hugo is not one you’re prone to find that often in metal corners, especially not in the realm of traditional metal. So Cauchemar’s leading lady’s singing might either throw you off or in fact peak your interest depending where you’re coming from, particularly if you’re not that fluent in French.
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‘Dreamkiller’ is the sophomore album from American heavy metal troupe Sumerlands. Now you might not be too familiar with that particular band moniker, but you may have heard the banner bearers of US epic metal Eternal Champion. Turns out that more than half of the lineup of Sumerlands is essentially made from those barbarians . Both guitarist Arthur Rizk and John Powers as well as the bass player Brad Raub, all except vocalist/Sword & Sorcery writer Jason Tarpay. They are joined by two former members from the now sadly defunct Magic Circle: Justin behind the drum kit and Brandan Radigan on vocals who fills in for Phil Swanson who was on the self-titled debut.
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What can I say? Almost everybody that’s into metal has to have seen something from this band by now. Would it be the song where it all started: ‘Hypa Hypa’, or the new mega hits that got millions of views in days like ‘We Got the Moves’ and 'Pump It'. Or would it be the sold out European tour or the partially sold out American tour? Electric Callboy has found their style: metalcore blended with electronics, and they are sharing it with the world. Let me take you on a tour through this album.
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In the last few years, Denmark's underground death metal scene has become prominent in terms of quality and originality. Such is the case with Copenhagen-based death doom trio Dead Void who has released its debut album 'Volatile Forms' out via Me Saco Un Ojo Records and Dark Descent Records. Spanning for 44 minutes, the album includes five songs that can be described as particularly raw and hideous. Dead Void’s take on death/doom metal is archetypical: the guitars create bleak sonic landscapes, drawing you slowly into the murky corners of the classic era.
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International superstar formation Bloodbath has launched its newest album 'Survival of the Sickest', featuring members from Katatonia, Lik, Paradise Lost and ex-members of Opeth in its line-up. With six albums under their belt, Bloodbath is renowned for their crafty songwriting. The latest offering includes some guest session vocalists such as Luc Lemay (Gorguts), Barney Greenway (Napalm Death) and Marc Grewe (Morgoth). This bold effort from vocalist Nick Holmes, guitarists Anders Nyström and Tomas Åkvik, along with the spectacular crunchy bass guitar of Jonas Renkse and the hammering beats of Martin Axenrot, brings out organic songs held by a cohesive force.
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Alestorm’s new record has been on shore for a while now. I’ve heard some of the songs popping up left and right, and I’ve heard some songs live when they were touring this year. But I haven’t really dug into the album. Let’s do that and see where this seventh album 'Seventh Rum of a Seventh Rum' takes us.
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It must be difficult for a band when they come to record their fourth album. What do they do? Do they carry on putting out more of the same or do they try and expand their musical horizons at the risk of alienating old fans?

The Interrupters seem to have come up with a solution on their new album In The Wild. The band have definitely grown with every album and this one is no different. They have a unique mix of punk and ska ( a musical genre people either love or hate) which is hugely infectious and enjoyable to listen to.

The album was recorded in a home studio built by the band and production duties fell to guitarist Kevin Bivona.

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Greek atmospheric/symphonic death metal titans SepticFlesh return with a brand new album: 'Modern Primitive'. Once again Seth Siro Anton (bass, vocals), Christos Antoniou (guitars, keyboards, and orchestration), Sotiris Anunnaki V (guitars, clean vocals), Kerim "Krimh" Lechner (drums) and Psychon (guitars) showcase their mastery of songwriting. The collaboration between the band and the Philharmonic Orchestra unfolds dramatic and epic soundscapes that can fairly be described as impressive in every aspect.
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Canadian black metal innovators Panzerfaust takes their craft to the edifice of modern black metal. Their 6th album entitled'“The Suns of Perdition - Chapter III: The Astral Drain' is an evolution in which the quartet reveals new sonic traits. Even though Panzerfaust explores multilayered musical landscapes, the atmospheric effects of the guitars are attained in a similar method to the previous album 'The Suns of Perdition - Chapter II: Render Unto Eden'. Throughout the album, Panzerfaust offers opulent, spectacular moments in which the guitar work and the song arrangements blend extraordinary musicianship.
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