CD Review: ‘Wolves of War’ by Burn Halo
It is hard to make extreme music with commercial appeal. Fans of extreme metal will cry “sellout,” while casual music listeners may find the music too hard. Still, when it a band pulls it off right, the results are rewarding. Burn Halo's new record Wolves ...
CD Review: ‘VII: Sturm Und Drang’ by Lamb Of God
For another perspective on this album, check out David Feltman's review. I remember when my friend introduced me to Lamb Of God. He was blasting their newest album at that time, Sacrament, and I was enveloped by a combination of thrash metal and g ...
CD Review: ‘VII: Strum Und Drang’ by Lamb of God
Lamb of God couldn’t have come up with a more apt title for its seventh album. Lead singer Randy Blythe’s incarceration following the death of a fan in Czechoslovakia (as detailed in the noteworthy documentary “As the Palace Burns”) and the extended hia ...
CD Review: ‘Forged in Fury’ by Krisiun
Four years have passed since Krisiun's last album, The Great Execution. The gap has not slowed the death metal outfit at all. Krisiun is all business on album opener “Scars of the Hatred.” The unorthodox song structure, mechanical riffing and relentless d ...
CD Review: ‘Five Crooked Lines’ by Finger Eleven
The slow shimmering of cymbals explode into a rhythmic medley of bass and fuzztone guitar. A voice hisses out a prophetic decree from the “Gods Of Speed” and we’re off! Have you seen Mad Max: Fury Road? This opening track would have fit in nicely, ...
CD Review: ‘The Lesser Key Of Solomon’ by A Sound Of Thunder
Note: This review was originally written in November 2014, but was not posted here due to technical issues. I now present it to you, late but proud. Keep an eye out for ASOT's forthcoming release, Shadowman: Tales From The Deadside. A Sound Of Thunder h ...
CD Review: ‘The Rue’ by The Rue
In school I learned that to be taken more seriously you should always preface yourself by citing your bias. I don’t want to lead any of you astray, so I will say up front that I’ve been a huge fan of Chris DeGarmo’s work since Queensrÿche. His ban ...
CD Review: ‘Raw’ EP by Empire Of Gold
When people think of grunge, the first band that comes to their mind is Nirvana. I’m not here to argue origins, as I’m sure I’ll hear a bunch of Mudhoney or The Melvins references. But Kurt Cobain and his ensemble were the flagship band of this mo ...
CD Review: ‘Fire & Ashes’ by Xandria
Hot off the release of its 2014 release Sacrficium, Dutch symphonic metal outfit Xandria's new EP, Fire & Ashes, is a mix of old and new. The mini-album features 3 new songs, two covers, and two re-recordings of older songs. Vocalist Dianne van Giersb ...
CD Review: ‘Transparency’ by Straight Line Stitch
Remember the first time you discovered your favorite band? That elation you felt as you listened to the music, a previously unexplored soundscape? That’s a special feeling, and one I decided I’d attempt to recapture. You see, I received a request ...