Druids – Cycles of Mobeum (Review)

DruidsDruids are a doom/sludge metal band from the US and this is their latest album.

Druids take elements of modern bands like Mastodon and Behold! The Monolith and infuse them with an earlier style of doom and blues, as produced by bands like Earth and Black Sabbath.

There’s a quality level of musicianship on Cycles of Mobeum, and this Continue reading “Druids – Cycles of Mobeum (Review)”

Inculcator – Void Abecedary (Review)

InculcatorInculcator is a one-man UK black metal project. This is his début album.

With roots firmly growing out of the distant 80s, this is black metal with thrash influences. Or thrash metal with blackened influences. Who cares; turn up the volume, press play and revel in the ridiculously OTT 80s nature of this thoroughly endearing release.

The recording has a wonderfully cosmic edge, surely influenced by Continue reading “Inculcator – Void Abecedary (Review)”

Omnicide – Constants and Variables (Review)

OmnicideThis is the second album from this Swiss death metal band.

This is 34 minutes of modern death metal that effectively combines speed and groove.

Cannibal Corpse-esque riffs mix with elements of deathcore and bands like The Kennedy Veil and Origin, as well as sprinklings of thrash metal here and there. The resultant music sounds like none of the above bands too much, although you can hear where their influences come from. That the band can clearly acknowledge Continue reading “Omnicide – Constants and Variables (Review)”

Snake Tongue – Raptor’s Breath (Review)

Snake TongueThis is the début album from Swedish hardcore band Snake Tongue.

Snake Tongue play modern chaotic hardcore with a violent punk edge to it, recalling a cross between Converge, All Pigs Must Die and Botch.

Heavy, rhythmic hardcore merges together with Continue reading “Snake Tongue – Raptor’s Breath (Review)”

Interview with Battle Path

Battle Path Logo

Battle Path’s latest album Ambedo sees the band expanding their sound into wider arenas, creating an extremely enjoyable 47 minutes that improves upon their already impressive earlier work. I managed to have a chat with the band about their latest release and its place in the grand scheme of things…

How did Battle Path form?

Battle Path formed out the ashes of Murfreesboro band Under the Earth. It originally started as a drone project with Casey, Todd, and Nathan, very shortly afterward Chase and Adam joined, and that is how Storm and Stress was created. After time, Chase moving and Casey having an injury that prevented him from drumming, it evolved into what it is today. Continue reading “Interview with Battle Path”

Interview with Abnormality

Abnormality Logo

Abnormality have just recently released their latest album, Mechanisms of Omniscience, and it’s a ripping, tearing 39 minutes of utter brutality. In honour of this ode to devastation, I took the chance to catch up with frontwoman Mallika Sundaramurthy about the how things are going in the Abnormality camp…

Introduce us to Abnormality!

Abnormality is an extreme metal band hailing from Marlborough, Massachusetts, USA. We formed in 2005 and have been releasing albums and blasting eardrums ever since.

What are your influences?

We are largely influenced by fast, technical and heavy bands like Cryptopsy, Origin, Deeds of Flesh, Suffocation, Krisiun, Hate Eternal, etc. Continue reading “Interview with Abnormality”

Interview with André Aaslie (Images at Twilight/Abyssic)

Andre Aaslie2
Photo Credit: Frieden

You may not know who André Aaslie is, but hopefully that’s about to change. He’s the man behind both the atmospheric splendour of doom-titans Abyssic and the symphonic black metal of Images at Twilight. Both bands are doing something a bit different and a bit special with their respective styles, down in no small part to their classical/orchestral parts, courtesy of André . Abyssic’s A Winter’s Tale and Images at Twilight’s Kings are both a firm hit with me, so when I got the chance to quiz the man himself, I didn’t hesitate…

What are your influences?

My main influences for Images At Twilight is the black metal scene from the nineties, and especially bands like Dark Funeral, Marduk, Emperor, Limbonic Art, Tartaros, Bal-Sagoth, Satyricon, Nokturnal Mortum, Obsidian Gate, Dimmu Borgir, Anorexia Nervosa a.o. In Abyssic, I need to mention My Dying Bride as the main influence for both me and Memnock. Until now we have made all the music together for Abyssic. In both bands I could mention several film-score conductors. And also a lot of progressive rock from the seventies, as well as the one and only Devil Doll, who influences just about everything I do in music. Continue reading “Interview with André Aaslie (Images at Twilight/Abyssic)”

Thundering Herd – Backyard Junkyard (Review)

Thundering HerdThis is the début album from this US Southern/stoner metal band.

This is a riotous, rocking collection of tracks that offer high energy hooks and a filthy disposition.

Barkyard Junkyard is full of hard rocking tunes with plenty of swagger Continue reading “Thundering Herd – Backyard Junkyard (Review)”

Gutter Instinct – Age of the Fanatics (Review)

Gutter InstinctThis is the début album from this Swedish death metal band.

Their début EP The Insurrection was a brief blast of authentic Swedish death metal, complete with chainsaw guitars, bestial vocals and brutal delivery. As I asked at the time; what’s not to like here?

So, onto their full-length release, Age of the Fanatics. Well, the band have progressed on from what they started on their EP; now they have actually Continue reading “Gutter Instinct – Age of the Fanatics (Review)”