Even the Dead Love a Parade are a groove metal band from the US. This is their début EP.
Featuring the bassist of Drowning Pool, this EP is 23 minutes of modern, rocking metal that has some thrash and hardcore influences – somewhat of a cross between Annihilator, Pantera and Vision of Disorder. Continue reading “Even the Dead Love a Parade – Even the Dead Love a Parade (Review)”
Elyria are a symphonic metal band from Germany. This is their début album.
With a Classically-trained female vocalist in the ranks, you already know that her singing is going to be first-rate. With her Classical training it’s clear from the off that she really knows what she’s doing. How well this works for you depends on your take on the style and how you feel about these kinds of vocals.
There are some really nice vocal melodies strewn about these tracks, reminding me sometimes of older Kamelot in their delivery, and her voice is very enjoyable.
The music is largely of the Gothic/symphonic variety, but interestingly Elyria spice Continue reading “Elyria – Reflection and Refraction (Review)”
This is the second album from Third Ion, a progressive metal band.
Third Ion’s début album 13/8bit was an atypical slice of progressive metal that took a lot of inspiration from video games and chiptune. It shouldn’t have worked, by all rights, but in the band’s skilful hands the album avoided becoming some nonsense novelty and instead they produced an enjoyable 55 minutes of music that offered the listener something a little different.
So what’s changed? Well, they now have a new singer – Dave Padden – Continue reading “Third Ion – Biolith (Review)”
Monument of a Memory are from the US and play modern metal. This is their second EP.
This is modern metalcore with plenty of aggression and heaviness. The foundation of NWOAHM is intact and added to by some heavier and faster parts, which is always nice to hear.
With a strong sound the band rip through Continue reading “Monument of a Memory – Catharsis (Review)”
Despite are from Sweden and play modern metal. This is their third album.
This makes a good impression very early on. Despite play a kind of modern metal that takes from the Swedish melodic death metal scene of yore, as well as more modern and even some progressive/djent elements. Synergi is my first exposure to the band, and to my ears comes across as a mix of Darkane, In Flames, Fear Factory and Whitechapel.
With three guitarists, the music is nicely heavy and treads the line Continue reading “Despite – Synergi (Review)”
Diamond Head are a metal band from the UK, this is their seventh album.
One of the original NWOBHM bands that formed way back in the late 70s, Diamond Head need little introduction to most people, although probably few have actually heard their music directly. Always poised for success, it has nevertheless Continue reading “Diamond Head – Diamond Head (Review)”
This is the début album from 3rd Machine, a modern/groove metal band from the Netherlands.
This is rhythmic groove metal with keyboard enhancements that takes influence from the cyber metal scene.
Despite the modern production though, it has somewhat of a 90s metal feel to it to me. This is not meant in any detrimental way. 3rd Machine seem Continue reading “3rd Machine – Quantified Self (Review)”
This is the début album from this US hardcore/metal band.
Hollow Bones play modern metalcore, but with a little bit of a twist. Essentially the band take the tried-and-true NWOAHM metalcore template and put their spin on it through force of passion, a heightened emotive melodicism, and captivating female vocals.
The songs are enjoyably heavy slabs of metal with lots of tasty riffs. The guitars have Continue reading “Hollow Bones – Lionheart (Review)”
Yüth Forever are a metal band from the US and this is their second album.
And now for something a little different…as they say…
Described in the promotional blurb as “13 songs of groove-laden, dark electronic, angst filled mood metal”, it’s hard to come up with a better description than that really, so we’ll go with it.
The singer’s harsh screams have a rhythmic quality to them which Continue reading “Yüth Forever – Skeleton Youth Forever (Review)”
Hard Charger are from Canada and play crossover/thrash metal.
Chrome Lord was a short and confident blending of the hardcore and thrash styles, showing a band who knew what they were doing, but just needed a few tweaks here and there to truly make an impression.
So how have they done on this release? Well, the sound Continue reading “Hard Charger – Bad Omens (Review)”
Wonderbox Metal 