Ohio's Ironflame have come to conquer once again with its fifth record, Kingdom Torn Asunder. The band roars from the outset with “Blood and Honor” with its bellicose double bass drums and swarming guitar riffs. Guitarists Quinn Lukas and Jesse S ...
Album Review: “Dzikkuh” by Arka’n Asrafokor
Togo quintet Arka'n Asrafokor unleash its unique brand of metal on its sophomore release, Dzikkuh. This record is a blend of complex, tribal drumbeats, crushing riffs and infectious choruses. “The Truth” opens with this manic African percussion i ...
Album Review: “Heathen Cross” by Cloven Hoof
Cloven Hoof began its career during the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. The band did not enjoy the success of its contemporaries in Motorhead, Iron Maiden or Judas Priest. However, founding bassist Lee Payne has soldiered on, waving the metal ba ...
Album Review: “Drama” by Marty Friedman
Marty Friedman's newest solo release, Drama, is an emotional work driven by guitar virtuosity and classical arrangements. “Illumination” opens the album with somber piano and a blend of classical and jazz guitar phrasing. Marty's melancholic pain ...
Album Review: “Banished By Sin” By Deicide
Deicide finally did it. The diabolical death metal outfit has released its thirteenth effort, Banished By Sin. Six years have passed since the band released Overtures of Blasphemy and the band has a new guitarist in Taylor Nordberg. However, the ...
Album Review: “Myths of Fate” by Leaves’ Eyes
Myths of Fate is the ninth album by German symphonic metal quintet Leaves' Eyes. There is a fair degree of musical diversity on this album: we hear Nordic folk, death metal, tribal drums, and symphonic samples that make for an interesting listen ...
Album Review: “Asylum” by Atrophy
Arizona thrash metal quintet Atrophy unleash some metal madness with its first record in 34 years, Asylum. Vocalist Brian Zimmerman is the sole original member and he has brought on four younger guys that breathe new life in to the band. The band ...
Album Review: “Sound & Fury” by Dust Bolt
Dust Bolt's fourth album, Trapped in Chaos, showed the German thrash band experimenting with its sound while retaining an aggressive edge. That edge is severely blunted on its newest release, Sound & Fury. Dust Bolt slow it down this time, op ...
Album Review: “Swallowed By Hell” by Morbid Saint
Morbid Saint celebrates its 40th anniversary with its third release, Swallowed By Hell. The Wisconsin thrash quintet unleash of barrage of riffs, solos and percussion that puts newer bands on notice. The opening track, “Rise From The Ashes”, is a ...
Album Review: “Expedition One” by Metalite
Swedish power metal quintet Metalite kick off 2024 with its fourth album, Expedition One. Expedition is fairly epic in scope, as it is a concept album that spans 16 tracks. Musically, the album is dynamic and at times a bit simplistic. The title ...