This is the debut album from French modern metal band Vestige.
To give a flavour of the sort of hybrid style that Vestige play, the promo blurb states that Janis is for fans of Deftones, Alcest, Loathe, and Sylvaine. In practice, this means a modern metal blend of post-metal and black/shoegaze. This results in songs that are highly atmospheric, yet also song-focused. Continue reading “Vestige – Janis (Review)”
This is the third album from Canadian progressive metal band Anciients.
I haven’t heard Anciients since their 2013 album Heart of Oak, and it’s been a long eight years since their last release, (2016’s Voice of the Void, which I completely missed out on), so I’ve some cathing up to do. I really like their debut though, so was looking forward to the 59 minuets of Beyond the Reach of the Sun. The band have a new lineup, but they still don’t let me down. Continue reading “Anciients – Beyond the Reach of the Sun (Review)”
Uniform are an industrial band from the US and this is their fifth album.
Ever since discovering Uniform on their 2018 album The Long Walk I’ve looked forward to every subsequent release. Whether it’s their collaborations with The Body in 2019, (Everything That Dies Someday Comes Back), or Boris in 2023, (Bright New Disease), or their most recent full length in 2020 Shame, Uniform always produce music that’s worth exploring. All of which is to say that American Standard is hotly anticipated. Continue reading “Uniform – American Standard (Review)”
This is the debut album from Simone Simons, a symphonic metal artist from the Netherlands.
I’ve always had a healthy respect for Epica, and for the vocals of their talented singer Simone Simons, so when Vermillion appeared, it only made sense to check it out. I’m so glad I did. Continue reading “Simone Simons – Vermillion (Review)”
This is the thirteenth album by Dark Tranquillity, a melodic death metal band from Sweden.
I last caught up with Dark Tranquillity on 2016’s very enjoyable Atoma, so really wanted to check out Endtime Signals. With 14 songs and 59 minutes of music, (including the two bonus tracks), there’s a lot of material here. Don’t be put off though, as Endtime Signals is Dark Tranquillity firing on all cylinders. Continue reading “Dark Tranquillity – Endtime Signals (Review)”
Hammerfall are a Swedish heavy/power metal band and this is their thirteenth album.
I do enjoy visiting the world of Hammerfall when I can, (check out Built to Last, Glory to the Brave, and Renegade 2.0 too), so Avenge the Fallen is well-received. Hammerfall’s latest contains 47 minutes of new music, and is a strong record from this veteran band. Continue reading “Hammerfall – Avenge the Fallen (Review)”
This is the second album from UK stoner/sludge metallers Barbarian Hermit.
It’s been six long years since 2018’s Solitude and Savagery, but now Barbarian Hermit have returned, and with a different vocalist. Mean Sugar contains 44 minutes of new music for us to hungrily devour. Continue reading “Barbarian Hermit – Mean Sugar (Review)”
This is the fifth album from Ironflame, a heavy metal solo act from the US.
Despite not reviewing the style as much as, say, black or death metal, I’m a huge fan of heavy/power/etc. metal. The problem is though that is a very easy style to play poorly, as you need really really good songs and a really good singer to make an impression on me. This is where Ironflame come in, as they tick both boxes. Kingdom Torn Asunder is filled with metallic bangers and they have a singer that can belt them out with the best of them. Continue reading “Ironflame – Kingdom Torn Asunder (Review)”
Category 7 are a metal band form the US and this is their debut album.
Brought to us by current/ex-members of Anthrax, Armored Saint, Exodus, Machine Head, Overkill, and Shadows Fall, Category 7 has a lot of experience wrapped up in its 52 minutes. Unleashing a storming collection of 90s-inspired thrash metal songs with a touch of classic heavy metal, this is a charismatic record that’s easy to like. Continue reading “Category 7 – Category 7 (Review)”
This is the tenth album from UK stoner/heavy metal band Orange Goblin.
A new Orange Goblin album is a notable event. 2014’s Back from the Abyss was a top drawer record, followed by 2018’s enjoyable The Wolf Bites Back. Six years later, we get Science, Not Fiction, which brings us 53 minutes, (with bonus track), of new material. Continue reading “Orange Goblin – Science, Not Fiction (Review)”
Wonderbox Metal 