CD Review: ‘Agony’ by Nervosa
Brazilian-thrash trio Nervosa brings the thrash on its second record, Agony. The record opener “Arrogance” rips like a scythe through a torso. There is a strong blending of early Sepultura and Death as frontwoman Fernanda Lira screeches like Chuck Schuldi ...
CD Review: ‘Red Robes’ by The Order of Israfel
It is rare that a band can successfully meld several sub-genres without sounding awkward or insincere. Swedish doom metal quartet The Order of Israfel pull it off with ease on its sophomore effort Red Robes. The Romani influenced violins that open “Staff ...
CD Review: “Trust No One” by Devildriver
Devildriver stays on the beaten path with its seventh record, Trust No One. The band get straight to business with “Testimony of Truth” which features nice guitar work from new guitarist Neil Tiemann. The double bass drumming propels this track. “Into the ...
CD Review: ‘Uprise’ by Nemesea
Dutch rock band Nemesea blend hard rock with electronica on its fourth album, Uprise. The opening track “Hear Me” is reminiscent of Queens of the Stone with its driving stoner beat. However, the similarities end there once frontwoman Manda Ophuis' operati ...
CD Review: ‘Retrogore’ by Aborted
Aborted's ninth record, Retrogore, is another serving of gore splattered technical death metal. The band kicks things into high gear on the title track. It features everything we love about Aborted with its grinding drums and skull splitting riffs. The ba ...
CD Review: ‘Tango Umbrella’ by American Head Charge
Many folks born post 1993 are too young to remember the nu-metal era from 1996-2003. American Head Charge is one of the bands from that period that never enjoyed the success of bands like Korn or Slipknot. Tango Umbrella is the band's first studio LP in 1 ...
CD Review: ‘No One Can Save You From Yourself’ by Walls of Jericho
An eight year absence has not dulled Walls of Jericho's aggression. The stalwarts of American metalcore return with its fifth record, No One Can Save You From Yourself. Frontwoman Candace Kucsulain's guttural vocals grab your attention on the colossal “Il ...
CD Review: ‘Sunrise to Sundown’ by Spiritual Beggars
Spiritual Beggars keep the rock rolling on its ninth record, Sunrise to Sundown. The title track is a straight forward rocker with a tinge of psychedelia. The song is rather generic despite frontman Apollo Papathanasio's souful vocals. Things improve on “ ...
CD Review: ‘Dead Dawn’ by Entombed A.D.
Entombed AD return with a lethal dose of death n' roll on its sophomore effort, Dead Dawn. This record reminds me a lot of Entombed's 2003 record, Inferno, both in terms of production and songwriting. The band mixes elements of thrash, death, doom and pun ...
CD Review: ‘Stand in the Fire’ by Striker
Striker are one of numerous metal bands intent on revitalizing 80s metal. To clear things up, I greatly enjoy bands like Slayer, Megadeth, Motorhead and even Dokken. However, very few bands can capture the energy and excitement of that era without soundin ...