CD Review: ‘Akroasis’ by Obscura
Obscura's fourth record, Akroasis, is a metal mindtrip. The long awaited follow up to the critically acclaimed Omnivium, is a progressive musical journey of death metal, jazz and classical. The seven minute long “Sermon of the Seven Suns” is a metallic ro ...
CD Review: ‘Buried in Violence’ by Product of Hate
Product of Hate bring the brutal groove on its debut album Buried in Violence. The band's mix of death metal, thrash and hardcore will surely draw unfair comparisons to Lamb of God. However, the Wisconsin quintet has a sound completely distinct from its V ...
Live Review: Anthrax at Atlanta’s Tabernacle Jan. 19
Considered one of the “Big Four” classic thrash metal bands (along with Metallica, Slayer and Megadeth), Anthrax has gone through their share of line-up, recording label and stylistic changes during their 30-plus year career. With that much experience u ...
CD Review: ‘An Outsider’ by Rhine
Six months ago I was elated with the discovery of Rhine’s debut album, Duality, which enthralled me more than any other progressive death metal release had done in years. I even had the honor of speaking with founder and frontman, Gabriel Tachell, diggi ...
CD Review: ‘Arc’ by Agoraphobic Nosebleed
For over 20 years, Agoraphobic Nosebleed has remained one of the principal names in grindcore despite being silent for the last seven. The members moved on with other bands during the time off, and no one complained too much since that hiatus resulted i ...
CD Review: ‘Codex Atlantis’ by Serenity
Serenity keeps its songs short and sweet on Codex Atlantis. One of my main grips with progressive and symphonic metal bands are the tedious song lengths. That is not the case on this record, as every track is under six minutes. Thus, the songs are fairly ...
CD Review: ‘X-No Absolutes’ by Prong
Prong keep the creative ball rolling on X-No Absolutes. The band's third studio LP in four years, (fourth if you include the group's 2015 covers album Songs From The Black Hole) X is a heavy, versatile record with the trio performing at its best. The open ...
CD Review: ‘Worlds Unknown’ by Walking With Giants
The hammer strikes down dramatically, ringing deep and continuous. A piano, alone, carries a melody to our hungry ears. Within moments, it is joined by the light caress of cymbals and overdriven guitar. All of this, resinating with orchestral str ...
Book Review: Children Of The Program
Landscapes of torment and suffering flood the imagination. A blinding white release for a few fortunate souls. A new life carried upon the wings of birds after lifetimes of death. Indigo eyes look towards the future. Author Brad W. Cox has a way with ...
CD Review: ‘Winter Thrice’ by Borknagar
Borknagar continues its progressive push on the band's tenth record Winter Thrice. The band keeps its black metal roots to a minimum. Instead, there is a greater shift towards folk metal and even power metal. The result is a multi-textured record that dra ...