Witchery – In His Infernal Majesty’s Service (Review)

WitcheryThis is the sixth album from Witchery, a thrash metal band from Sweden.

Witchery have been around for some time at this point, with this album celebrating two decades of existence. Now, six years after their last album and with a revamped lineup, they return.

With a production that’s nicely rough and ready, Witchery Continue reading “Witchery – In His Infernal Majesty’s Service (Review)”

Lost Opera – Hidden Sides (Review)

Lost OperaThis is the second album by French symphonic metal band Lost Opera.

Lost Opera are a symphonic metal band specialising in a modern take on the genre, heavily accentuated with orchestral keyboards and with a side-order of extremity. This manifests via heavier-than-average guitars, (for this kind of thing), and the Continue reading “Lost Opera – Hidden Sides (Review)”

Wovenwar – Honor Is Dead (Review)

WovenwarThis is the second album from Wovenwar, a US metal band.

Rising from the ashes of As I Lay Dying, this is my first encounter with Wovenwar. Although ostensibly treading similar ground as their parent band, Wovenwar are overall a different, darker and more nuanced beast. Continue reading “Wovenwar – Honor Is Dead (Review)”

Testament – Brotherhood of the Snake (Review)

TestamentTestament are a legendary thrash metal band from the US. This is their 11th studio album, (12th if you count First Strike Still Deadly).

With the bigger bands in the metal scene it’s easy to say something like “and here’s a band that need no introduction”, but I feel this really is true of Testament. Where would you start? After decades of service to the Metal Gods they’re Continue reading “Testament – Brotherhood of the Snake (Review)”

Void of Vision – Children of the Chrome (Review)

Void of VisionVoid of Vision are an Australian metalcore band and this is their debut album.

Void of Vision play modern metalcore with an edge of djent here and there. It’s clearly pissed off and has a message to send, one tied to a well-placed brick.

The songs are full of energy and rage, controlled by the band Continue reading “Void of Vision – Children of the Chrome (Review)”

Dark Tranquillity – Atoma (Review)

Dark TranquillityThis is the eleventh album by Dark Tranquillity, a melodic death metal band from Sweden.

Now this is the stuff. Dark Tranquillity know what they’re doing. I’ve been a fan of this band for a long, long time, but somehow haven’t kept up with their last couple of outings, so it feels great to reconnect with them on this release. Continue reading “Dark Tranquillity – Atoma (Review)”

Northern Crown – The Others (Review)

Northern CrownThis is the debut album from US doom metal band Northern Crown.

I thoroughly enjoyed Northern Crown’s first EP In the Hands of the Betrayer, so when their debut album popped up, I was keen to give it a listen.

The band play traditional doom metal with a good smattering of heavy metal throughout, although it should also be noted that they have started to branch out from this, here and there, marking an increased confidence and comfortableness with how they approach their material. Continue reading “Northern Crown – The Others (Review)”

Unearthed Elf – Into the Catacomb Abyss (Review)

Unearthed ElfUnearthed Elf is a one man doom/heavy/power metal project from the US. This is his debut album.

Having a sightly unusual mix of doom, heavy and power metal, Into the Catacomb Abyss is an unexpected listen in a few different ways. Continue reading “Unearthed Elf – Into the Catacomb Abyss (Review)”

Tactus – Bending Light (Review)

TactusTactus are a Canadian progressive metal band and this is their debut album.

Well it soon becomes obvious that this band know a thing or two about how to play their instruments. This is modern progressive heavy metal that has plenty of technicality and a djent influence.

As I always say; Continue reading “Tactus – Bending Light (Review)”