Album Review: “Kingdom Torn Asunder” by Ironflame
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 Scott ...
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 witho ...
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 track ...
Album Review: “Blackened Heartbeat” by Secret Sphere
Italian power metal sextet Secret Sphere get technical and heavy on its tenth release, Blackened Heartbeat. The album is devoid of garish overtures, as the band prefers dynamic compositions with heavy riffs and percussion. “The Crossing Toll” is a two ...
Album review: “Bloodlines” by Pyramaze
Danish power metal quintet Pyramaze deliver a dynamic batch of metal on its seventh album Bloodlines. The title track is an instrumental that opens the album. It starts with a mysterious piano melody that is joined by string samples and bombastic drum ...
Album Review: “Hellriot” by Mystic Prophecy
Mystic Prophecy's twelfth album, Hellriot, initially surprised me. I expected a bombastic, over the top power metal album and heard an album filled with grit, groove, catchy choruses and virtuoso guitar leads. The Bavarian quintet do not play around a ...
Album Review: “Reader of the Runes-Rapture” by Elvenking
Italian folk/prog metal outfit Elvenking return with its highly anticipated release, Reader of the Runes-Rapture. The second album in a planned trilogy, Rapture is a heavy, yet diverse record that picks up after its predecessor, Reader of the Runes-D ...
Album Review: “Chapter 1: Monarchy” by Ad Infinitum
Swiss symphonic metal quartet Ad Infinitum's debut album, Chapter 1: Monarchy, sounds as grandiose as its title directs. “Infected Monarchy” opens the album with a dream like piano and serene strings that build up as Melissa Bonny's beautiful, yet powerfu ...
Album Review: “Reign Of Gold” by Human Fortress
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. “Luci ...
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 vocals ...