German power metal outfit Human Fortress return with its sixth release Reign Of Gold. “Thunder” is hampered by thin production and is somewhat generic. Things improve on the title track with its driving rhythm compliments of drummer Apostolos Zaios. ...
Album Review: “Primal Future: 2019” by Toxic Holocaust
Joel Grind's one man thrashing project Toxic Holocaust has returned to lay waste to the band with devastating d-beat and bellicose, thrashing riffs on album six, Primal Future: 2019. Album opener “Chemical Warlords” is a vicious track that is equal ...
Sirbaugh Acres VI: Time Machine
Last year was my first iteration of Sirbaugh Acres, which at that time was marking its fifth year running. It was a splendid affair, with five bands showcasing their musical prowess for a lawnful of onlookers. This year I returned for the sixth i ...
Album Review: “The Things We Can’t Stop” by Cold
Florida somber rock band Cold are back with its newest release in 8 years, The Things We Can't Stop. “Shine” the initial single off the record is a rather banal track with its dreamy riff and simple drum pattern. This is not the best choice for a sin ...
SHEL at Jammin’ Java
It’s been six years since my wife and I braved a storm to see four sisters from Colorado play inside a D.C. barbeque restaurant and bar, putting on a fantastical show that left the both of us impressed. And on August 29, we finally got to see them ...
Album Review: ‘Live With The Plovdiv Psychotic Symphony’ by Sons Of Apollo
It’s not every day that a rock band plays a concert with a full-blown symphony. There was Deep Purple, who played with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in 1969; Metallica, who played with the San Francisco Symphony in 1999; and now Sons Of Apollo, ...
Album Review: “Reader Of The Runes-Divination” by Elvenking
Elvenking unleash a potent spell of folk metal on its tenth release, Reader Of The Runes-Divination. “Perthro” is a brief piece that opens the album. “Perthro” is the rune of fate and the unknowable. The tribal drums, sorrowful violins and droning vo ...
Album Review: “Years Of Aggression” by Suicidal Angels
Greek thrashers Suicidal Angels aim to live up to the title of its seventh release, Years Of Aggression. The whiff of nostalgia is present throughout the album, with Eighties era guitar riffs meshed with stellar leads compliments of guitarist Gus Dra ...
Film Review: Midsommar (R)
There are few things more terrifying than Swedish hippies: well-mannered, meat pie munching, salt-herring slurping, commune dwelling devils that they are. Actually, that’s not true. There are few things less threatening than Swedish hippies. They’r ...
The Royal Affair Tour ft. Yes, Asia, John Lodge, and Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy – in Baltimore
On Saturday, June 22, nearly four thousand excited concert-goers filtered into the seats of Baltimore’s MECU Pavilion. They were set to embark upon a fresh voyage to the seas of nostalgia, and boy were they excited. I was excited too, as I ...