Escape Is Not Freedom are an alternative/sludge metal band, and this is their second album.
Escape Is Not Freedom are no strangers to this site, (here and here), and it’s great to hear some new material from them. Combining elements of metal, sludge, rock, and noise, Escape Is Not Freedom remind me of a cross between Fudge Tunnel, Helmet, Nirvana, Skyscraper, and others. Continue reading
Based in the US, Irist are a modern metal band and this is their debut album.
Irist’s recipe is one that takes a wide range of influences and works them into a comprehensive modern metal framework. Loosely stated, Irist take elements of hardcore, thrash metal, and progressive/post-hardcore/metal, and hone them into song-based packages of metallic heaviness. Continue reading
Neck of the Woods are a progressive metal band from Canada and this is their second album.
The Annex of Ire contains 40 minutes of modern, hybrid progressive metal from the band that enjoyably produced 2015’s Neck of the Woods and 2017’s The Passenger. Continue reading
Neorhythm are a Russian metal band and this is their second album.
Here we have 45 minutes of progressive metal that takes elements of groove, technical, and death metal into its make-up. The band know how to handle the style, and Terrastory is effortless to digest and enjoy. Continue reading
Hyborian are a stoner metal band from the US and this is their second album.
Hyborian’s first album Vol. 1 was infectious and moreish, and made a strong impression. Volume II continues with Hyborian’s hyper-palatable style, providing 40 minutes of anthemic tunes that are near-impossible to dislike. Continue reading
Burning Witches are a heavy metal band from Switzerland and this is their third album.
2018’s Hexenhammer was an enjoyable slab of traditional heavy metal, and now the band are back with a new album, and a new singer. Continue reading
This is the eleventh album from US unconventional experimental metal band Today Is the Day.
I really, really enjoyed 2014’s Animal Mother, which was one of my favourite releases from this artist. As such, No Good to Anyone was much-anticipated, and had a lot to live up to. Thankfully, it’s one of Today Is the Day’s bests. Continue reading
Sightless Pit are an experimental band from the US and this is their debut album.
This project brings together the considerable talents of members of Full of Hell, LINGUA IGNOTA, and The Body. Grave of a Dog sounds like a hideous amalgamation of these three parent groups, while also being its own monstrous creation too. Continue reading
Polaris are an Australian metalcore band and this is their second album.
The music on The Death of Me involves heavy aggression with melodic texture, and although it frequently combines the two, it also equally-frequently separates them. This results in an album that’s far more diverse than your average metalcore record, yet will probably mean that some people get Continue reading
This is the debut album from US heavy metal band Throne of Iron.
“Highly recommended for fans of Dungeons & Dragons, Eternal Champion, Visigoth and Manilla Road!”, states the promo blurb, and it’s hard to disagree. Adventure One provides 42 minutes of classic metal escapism and fun, and I like what Throne of Iron are peddling. Continue reading
