Wonderbox Metal

I Am Noah – The Verdict (Review)

I Am Noah are a metalcore band from Germany. This is their début release.

Metalcore is somewhat of a much-maligned genre, rightfully so in many ways. Regardless of what its detractors say though, there have been, (and are), some great bands playing the style that have left an impression on me at one time or another.

I Am Noah walk the same path as those who actually know what they’re doing with this kind of music. The familiar elements are all here, (backed up by a slight djent feel in places), but the band bend, burn and crush them into their own image. Continue reading “I Am Noah – The Verdict (Review)”

Goddess – The Withering (Review)

Goddess are a Norwegian progressive Doom rock band, and this is their début EP.

Originally appearing in 2014, this is a re-released, remixed, remastered and expanded version. As this is my first exposure to Goddess, I can only assume these changes have improved The Withering, as it is quite an impressive release.

This is one song Continue reading “Goddess – The Withering (Review)”

Earth Rot – Chthonian Virtues (Review)

Earth Rot are a Death Metal band from Australia, this is their latest EP.

This short release is a blast of stinking, fuzzed-up Death Metal. It hits like a truck and then reverses over you again and again and again.

With a gloriously filthy sound and a singer that Continue reading “Earth Rot – Chthonian Virtues (Review)”

Ill Omen/Slaughtbbath – Pestilential Hierophanies – Split (Review)

Ill Omen is a one-man Black Metal project from Australia and Slaughtbbath are a Black Metal band from Chile. Teaming up for this split release, they each offer one track.

Ill Omen’s contribution is up first and is the longer of the two tracks at 8 minutes in length.

The song Continue reading “Ill Omen/Slaughtbbath – Pestilential Hierophanies – Split (Review)”

Visions of Atlantis – Old Routes – New Waters (Review)

This is the latest EP from Austrian Symphonic Power Metal band Visions of Atlantis.

This is bright and energetic music with a strong Power Metal base that the band build symphonic elements onto. It’s relentlessly upbeat and mercilessly colourful, so much so that it’s hard to dislike a band playing with Continue reading “Visions of Atlantis – Old Routes – New Waters (Review)”

Abnormality – Mechanisms of Omniscience (Review)

Abnormality are a Death Metal band from the US. This is their second album.

Abnormality’s 2012 début album Contaminating the Hive Mind was a standout slab of unrelenting brutality, really placing them highly in the extreme Metal hierarchy in my mind.

Well, it’s been four long years, but now Continue reading “Abnormality – Mechanisms of Omniscience (Review)”

Vulture Wings – Funeral Grounds (Review)

This is the début EP from this Brazilian Death Metal band.

This is old-school Death Metal that rumbles and chugs its way through the playing time, but is not without melody or nuance as it goes about its gory business.

The production is Continue reading “Vulture Wings – Funeral Grounds (Review)”

Godless – Centuries of Decadence (Review)

Godless are a Death Metal band from India and this is their début release.

Godless play Death Metal with traditional muscularity mixed with a bit of thrash and groove. It’s well-recorded and has a solid sound overall, making for a good impression.

Continue reading “Godless – Centuries of Decadence (Review)”

Interview with Circle of Reason

Faith or Theory by Circle of Reason has reignited my passion for modern melodic rock, by pure virtue of how damn enjoyable it is. Top songs, top work all around. It’s time to get to know this new face of rock, (at least in my mind), so without further ado, let’s have at it…

Introduce us to Circle of Reason!

Simon – Vocals/Guitar
Gary – Guitar
Andy – Drums
Rob – Bass/Backing vocals

What are your influences?

Deftones, Mastodon, Biffy Clyro, Muse, FFAF, Coheed and Cambria etc . We like riffs, we like melody.

Name five things you’ve listened to recently that you’d recommend Continue reading “Interview with Circle of Reason”

Interview with Artillery

Danish thrash metal band Artillery need little introduction, being decades-long veterans of the thrash metal wars. Their latest album Penalty by Perception has really upped the ante in terms of quality thrash, and it’s an album I already love. Guitarist Michael Stützer was kind enough to take some time out from reloading to answer a few questions…

Give us a bit of background to Artillery

Artillery was formed in 1982 by Morten Stützer, Per Onink, Jørgen Sandau, Carsten Nielsen and Michael Stützer and did the first demo ”We are the dead” in Dec 1982. After recording 2 new demos ”Shellschock” and ”Deeds of Darkness” in 1984 with new singer Carsten Lohmann Artillery signed with Neat Records which released the 2 albums Fear Of Tomorrow(1985) and Terror Squad(1987) now with singer Flemming Rönsdorf. In 1989 Artillery signed with Roadrunner and put out By inheritance. In 1991 Artillery took a break before releasing BACK in 1999 on Die Hard Records! After another break Artillery reunited in 2007 with singer Søren Adamsen and released 3 albums ”One foot in the grave… (2008) ”When Death comes” 2009 and ”My blood” and a DVD One foot in the grave… (2008) all on Metalmind Productions. In 2012 Artillery signed with Metal Blade and released ”Legions” (2012) and ”Penalty by perception” (2016) both with the current line up Peter Thorslund (Bass), Josua Madsen (Drums), Michael Bastholm Dahl (Vocals), Morten Stützer (Guitar), Michael Stützer (Guitar). Continue reading “Interview with Artillery”