The Haunted – Strength in Numbers (Review)

The HauntedThe Haunted are a Swedish thrash metal band and this is their ninth album.

The Haunted have produced quite the ripping album with their latest offering. Blimey. This is aggressive thrash metal played with style, passion, and plenty of riffs. Continue reading “The Haunted – Strength in Numbers (Review)”

Distress of Ruin – Insights (Review)

Distress of RuinThis is the latest EP from Finnish melodic death metal band Distress of Ruin.

Well, this is quality stuff. From the very start it’s clear that a lot of time, effort, and passion has gone into the creation of this release. Continue reading “Distress of Ruin – Insights (Review)”

Lucifer’s Chalice – The Pact (Review)

Lucifer's ChaliceLucifer’s Chalice are a heavy metal band from the UK and this is their debut album.

Featuring members and ex-members of bands such as Uncoffined and Horrified, this is a somewhat different proposition. Lucifer’s Chalice play a mix of classic heavy metal and traditional doom metal, with epic-length songs and strong vibes of days gone past. Continue reading “Lucifer’s Chalice – The Pact (Review)”

Ruins of Elysium – Seeds of Chaos and Serenity (Review)

Ruins of ElysiumRuins of Elysium are an international symphonic metal band and this is their debut album.

The music on this release is bold, bombastic, and grand, with many different feelings and emotions explored; all of them epic, over-the-top, and quite infectious. It’s an ambitious release that hits more than it misses.

If you think of the comprehensive and Continue reading “Ruins of Elysium – Seeds of Chaos and Serenity (Review)”

Skies in Motion – Life Lessons (Review)

Skies in MotionSkies in Motion are a UK modern hardcore/metal band and this is their debut album.

Combining raging intensity with heartfelt emotion, this is modern metalcore played with passion and skill. Continue reading “Skies in Motion – Life Lessons (Review)”

Hundred Suns – The Prestaliis (Review)

Hundred SunsHundred Suns are an emotive metal band from the US and this is their debut album.

Featuring an ex-member of Every Time I Die and the singer of Normal Jean, it was a complete no-brainer for me to listen to this as soon as I could once I was made aware of it. Thankfully,  I haven’t been disappointed with their very enjoyable brand of modern progressive/alternative metal. Continue reading “Hundred Suns – The Prestaliis (Review)”

Scardust – Sands of Time (Review)

ScardustScardust are a symphonic metal band from Israel and this is their debut album.

Scardust play sumptuous symphonic metal with some progressive elements added in to enhance proceedings.

Usually I find a lot of this kind of thing very generic and I usually lose interest quickly, but bloody Hell Scardust are an exception to this. Sands of Time is a very professional, accomplished, and well-realised release, with both catchy appeal and memorable depth. Continue reading “Scardust – Sands of Time (Review)”

Counterfeit Culture – Deathwish (Review)

Counterfeit CultureCounterfeit Culture are a US metalcore band and this is their latest EP.

Counterfeit Culture mix melodic hardcore with heavier metalcore, and have produced an EP that may be short, but is not without impact. Continue reading “Counterfeit Culture – Deathwish (Review)”

The Shape – The World Away (Review)

The ShapeThe Shape are a US metal band and this is their fourth album.

Mixing modern metal, metalcore, thrash metal, nu-metal, and groove metal into their sound, this is an enjoyable romp through a landscape that sees many different complementary influences touched upon. Continue reading “The Shape – The World Away (Review)”

Immortal Sÿnn – Machine Men (Review)

Immortal SÿnnImmortal Sÿnn are a heavy/thrash metal band from the US and this is their debut album.

This is old-school metal played with obvious passion and a firm love of the early days of the style. Continue reading “Immortal Sÿnn – Machine Men (Review)”