Category: Metal

The Anchoret – It All Began with Loneliness (Review)

The Anchoret - It All Began with LonelinessThe Anchoret are a Canadian progressive metal band and this is their debut album.

The Anchoret play a multifaceted brand of progressive metal that takes in aspects of progressive rock and a touch of extreme metal. This has resulted in an album that has plenty of impactful content to instantly appeal, but can also draw the listener back in over time. For a very rough starting point, think a combination of parts of bands such as Karnivool, Between the Buried and Me, Sermon, David Bowie, Dream Theater, Opeth, Queen, The Ocean, Dawnwalker, Ihsahn, and Rush. Continue reading “The Anchoret – It All Began with Loneliness (Review)”

Forged in Black – Lightning in the Ashes (Review)

Forged in Black - Lightning in the AshesForged in Black are a UK heavy metal band and this is their third album.

I thoroughly enjoyed 2019’s Descent of the Serpent, so it’s good to have some new material from Forged in Black. Across 42 minutes the band once again unleash a torrent of quality heavy metal on the world in the shape of Lightning in the Ashes. Continue reading “Forged in Black – Lightning in the Ashes (Review)”

AVKRVST – The Approbation (Review)

AVKRVST - The ApprobationAVKRVST are a Norwegian progressive rock/metal band and this is their debut album.

The Approbation is a 49-minute exploration of progressive rock and metal, played professionally and delivered with a contemporary sheen. Continue reading “AVKRVST – The Approbation (Review)”

Memorrhage – Memorrhage (Review)

Memorrhage - MemorrhageThis is the debut album from US metal band Memorrhage.

Now here’s an album I couldn’t miss out on. Brought to us by a member of Cara Neir, Memorrhage is a tribute to the 90s metal scene, specifically nu-metal and the related styles around this, including hardcore, metalcore, and industrial. Yep, I had to hear this. Continue reading “Memorrhage – Memorrhage (Review)”

Scar Symmetry – The Singularity Phase II – Xenotaph (Review)

Scar Symmetry - The Singularity Phase II - XenotaphThis is the seventh album from Scar Symmetry, a melodic death metal band from Sweden.

The Singularity Phase II – Xenotaph is a big album that’s bold and ambitious. but has the skill and ability to back up its vision. Mixing together melodic death metal with heavy and power metal, this is a feast of metallic fun for any fan of this sort of music. Continue reading “Scar Symmetry – The Singularity Phase II – Xenotaph (Review)”

Stellar Circuits – Sight to Sound (Review)

Stellar Circuits - Sight to SoundThis is the second album from US progressive metallers Stellar Circuits.

Sight to Sound contains 48 minutes of music that’s professional and accomplished. Stellar Circuits’ modern take on metal is a technical form of progressive music that also borrows from a few other styles here and there. Continue reading “Stellar Circuits – Sight to Sound (Review)”

OK Goodnight – The Fox and the Bird (Review)

OK Goodnight - The Fox and the BirdThis is the second album from US progressive metal/rock band OK Goodnight.

The Fox and the Bird contains 52 minutes of modern progressive metal that brings together a variety of influences into a multifaceted whole. A foundation of progressive metal and rock is enriched with elements of pop, jazz, and indie to create music that’s charismatic and highly textured. Continue reading “OK Goodnight – The Fox and the Bird (Review)”

Arrival of Autumn – Kingdom Undone (Review)

Arrival of Autumn - Kingdom UndoneThis is the third album from Canadian metalcore band Arrival of Autumn, (who feature a member of Alterbeast).

Containing 39 minutes of material Kingdom Undone is an easy album to like if you were raised on 00s metalcore, yet want a modern update. To be fair, Arrival of Autumn’s sound has more older components and influences than newer ones, but that seems to have worked out for the best as the band have impressed with a very enjoyable album. Continue reading “Arrival of Autumn – Kingdom Undone (Review)”

The Silent Rage – Nuances of Life (Review)

The Silent Rage - Nuances of LifeThis is the second album from Greek power metallers The Silent Rage.

Nuances of Life contains 58 minutes, (with bonus tracks), of melodic power metal. It’s an album that should find favour with fans of the heavier, grittier side of the style. For a starting point for The Silent Rage’s music, imagine a mix of Nevermore, Iced Earth, Angel Dust, Judas Priest, and Testament. Continue reading “The Silent Rage – Nuances of Life (Review)”