Reviews

With the coming of I Am, one of the most influential metal bands in the scene has come to pass. What a big hole they leave in their absence. But let us get to the album that begins with the gang vocals yelling “Sleeping giant!” Preachcore Lives! begins the final album with a message to be left behind for the next bands to rise up. With phrases like, “Kingdom over everything,” “Recognition of the one true name,” and “Don’t perform for the crowd, but for the crown.”… Continued →

Although TAKE has been around for some time, this review will serve as an introduction to many. In the current climate of the long standing pillars of Christian metal being slowly eroded away with time, (Sleeping Giant, Haste the Day, For Today, Hands) it is vital that new bands come and pick up where they left off. Not only continuing Christian metal, but metal with such a strong stance in faith; this is where Take comes into play. The 2017 EP The Dead Will Rise is anthem of what can be accomplished in faith.… Continued →

Katharos is yet another project from Fire (Elgibbor, Fire Throne, Nuclear Blaze) on vocals and guitars, this time with help from drummer Taberah.  There is also some collaboration from former Frost Like Ashes members Sebat and Azahel for live dates. This recording is a single and ‘b-side’ and what we have here is no-frills, raw black metal.  No ‘atmospheric’ or ‘symphonic’ keyboards.  No overdubs or anything of the like.  This could easily pass as a release from the mid-90s Norwegian BM scene.  Appropriately lo-fi with hissed/snarled vocals and trebly guitars, this is great if you like first or second wave black metal.… Continued →

Canadian progressive death metallers The Beckoning have been making noise since 2010.  This release combines two earlier demos—Desolate (2014) and War (2012) into one remastered full-length.  Truly progressive, this 4-song clocks in at over 29 minutes, making it either a very long EP, or a full-length with only 4 songs, depending on one’s perspective. While the formula has been done before—screamed/growled vocals + clean/operatic vocals + heavy riffing + melodic leads—it works well here.  Founder/drummer/vocalist Roy Turple pulls off the screamed and clean sung vocals, and when he chooses the latter approach, resembles Jimmy Brown or Eric Clayton. … Continued →

The press release labelled this as “Indie Folk Rock.”  And while that is mildly accurate, it certainly doesn’t tell you all you need to know.  Full disclosure: I’m a bit of 90s slacker kind of guy.  So indie rock to me means loud guitars, dissonant riffs, punk attitude and band photos that make it look like the members are made up of blind golfers.  Back then, Nirvana had come in and changed all the rules.  Alternative rock had overtaken the airwaves and become mainstream.  Indie rock was an even deeper underground version of alternative. … Continued →

  “Blessed Be The Punk” We all want relive the days of our youth. Remember being young, vibrant, forceful in our thoughts and actions? Age doesn’t necessarily take those attributes away. Praiser makes that abundantly clear in their punk music. The band’s latest album, 20 Again, doesn’t bring age as its theme, but rather a collection of twenty great songs from their past. Since 2009 the Hamburg, Germany band Praiser has continuously churned out perfect punk tracks. I don’t use the term “perfect” lightly. Praiser knows what it means to be punk.… Continued →

While this band hails from Louisville, I would have sworn they were from eastern Europe somewhere.  That’s a good thing.  Reverentia is yet another quality post-metal release I’ve come across recently.  But whereas the mysterious band God revel in djent rhythms and instrumental anthems to connect the listener to God, TIMŌRĀTUS takes a different approach altogether.  Each album is written and recorded in a different style.  I’ve sampled some of the other albums and there’s black metal, thrash, doom and experimental hybrids. The music on Reverentia was takes on form of post-metal is impregnated with black metal atmospherics, layers of shoegaze wall-of-sound sonics and doom metal riffs, creating a drone metal beast! … Continued →

Author's sophomore release takes the best of "Of Brighter Days" and tops it off with synths and 80s influence for an album that's full of energy and technicality.

"Notos" is an explosive EP full of layered, diverse instrumentation and compelling vocals and lyrics.

While still not reinventing the wheel, For All Eternity have stepped into their own and crafted a pulverizing and memorable LP with “The Will to Rebuild“.

This mysterious band has been making music since 2016.  Their website states, “GOD will challenge you to consider your life, death through the power of music.”  While I am in contact with the band members, repeated requests for information regarding the member(s) have been unsuccessful—even to the point of denying my request to know which country the band is from. This is the second album from the band, and there are two more planned—each one with a conceptual theme.  God I focused on the nature of God, while God II as the subtitle suggests, is all about the person and work of Jesus Christ. … Continued →

The piano is, like many instruments, simultaneously loved and loathed. The player will tickle the ivories even when others prefer silence. On Presence, Vol. 2 Andy Hunter’s DJ equipment starts to sound strangely similar to a piano. The instrument is present on just about every song, not to mention other orchestral instruments ranging from a pizzicato to a violin. Of course, the electronics are still here, most pronounced in “Light” which has a mid-tempo drum and bass beat, but this album is just as orchestral as it is electronic.… Continued →

Combining the best parts of modern and classic metal, the Eerie, PA natives have crafted one of the most solid heavy albums of the year and made a lifelong fan out of me.

You probably didn’t realize it, but Phinehas has been around for nearly 18 years. Although they only rose from obscurity in 2011 with their debut album Thegodmachine, Phinehas has now put out another reason why they are becoming the giants in the genre. Freshly signed to Solid State Records, the California metal band puts out their most technical and stunning release to date. Dark Flag is a concept album that doesn’t necessarily tell a story, but follows a theme of struggle in a violent and oppressing regime.… Continued →

20 plus years into their storied career, Project 86 return with another crowd-funded heavy-hitting album that not only gives the listener something to chew on, but challenges them to examine the very teeth they use - lest they be fangs.

The Welcome Wagon returns with a strong orchestral folk follow-up to 2012's "Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices".

Mark Mathis' latest EP is a refreshing blend of folk, alternative, and worship.

Check out this review of Symphony of Heaven's album "The Season of Death"

Harp & Lyre's aggressive 2012 finale deserves some time in the light.

Check out of this review of Hand of Fire's debut album Nuclear Sunrise

Last year, a new addition to Tooth & Nail’s growing roster released their second album, and let me tell you that it’s not getting the credit it deserves. “You Wouldn’t Believe What Privilege Costs” by Civilian is one of the best T&N releases in years and here’s why. From the moment the album begins, there’s a feel to the songs that’s hard to pin down. I once related the band to Starflyer 59 in an attempt to figure it out, but that was wrong. They’re heavier and much more layered than the shoegaze SF59.… Continued →

Eleventyseven create a near flawless set of songs as found on their new record "Rad Science". Read our review of this new album. Does it deserve the perfect score it has been given?

Check out this review of Your Memorial's final release.

Zao is quite the story. They began 24 years ago and are still kicking, releasing music. And it should be said that they’re not just still kicking, they’re bashing the doors in and reminding their fans that there is more to metal than repeated breakdowns and over-produced, cookie-cutter nonsense. Returning with “Pyrrhic Victory,” a five track EP, Zao holds nothing back. It’s five songs of relentless screams from Daniel Weydant, and riffs and riffs and riffs. There’s something special and simple of this type of release.… Continued →

For over 10 years, Red has been a staple in the music scene rising quickly to fame from their incredible debut album. Over these years they’ve released relatively consistent solid albums. The only exception is the 2013 “Release the Panic;” a subpar and disappointing effort. On the adverse, 2015’s “Of Beauty & Rage” was the band’s greatest achievement. It was a journey through hell and escaping to heaven much like The Divine Comedy – a theme from their music since “Innocence & Instinct” in 2008. Coming off from their strongest album, how does this newest LP hold up?… Continued →

Hotel Books' latest release manages to hit me where it hurts the most.

“But I’m still dirtier than I thought I’d ever be. I keep hiding from the cross cause deep down I don’t want to be free. I wanna hold on to this darkness; scream it loud so I am heard. If I’m gonna be honest, it’s the same song I just rearrange the words.” Words like these found in Empty Words, are generously scattered throughout this quietly brilliant album. If you haven’t given this album a chance yet, you owe it to yourself to immerse yourself into this album of self-reflection.… Continued →

Check out this review of Children of Wrath's album, "No Flesh Spared"

Beautiful Eulogy's anticipated third full-length is out - but weak hooks and some filler keep it from being an instant favorite.

It’s been five years since metalcore giants MyChildren MyBride have released new music. The absence has been felt twice as hard with the hiatus of too many bands in the same genre. Down to just two band members, MCMB travels into uncharted territory with this long awaited album. The theme of the album becomes clear during the first song, and it’s dramatic and hard to relate to. The world of gothic vampires surrounds the entire album in both lyrics and the musical waters. It could pass nicely for a song or two, but throughout the album it becomes too much.… Continued →