Classic Heavy Metal – Page 2

Ironflame – Kingdom Torn Asunder (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)”

Crystal Viper – The Silver Key (Review)

Crystal Viper are a Polish heavy metal band and this is their ninth album.

Despite being nine albums into their career, this is my first encounter with Crystal Viper. Containing 11 tracks of classic heavy metal, The Silver Key is 47 minutes, (with the Bathory cover song), of solid, old-fashioned metal. Continue reading “Crystal Viper – The Silver Key (Review)”

Inconcessus Lux Lucis – Temples Colliding in Fire (Review)

This is the third album from UK black metal band Inconcessus Lux Lucis.

Inconcessus Lux Lucis made a good impression on me with 2017’s The Crowning Quietus, and this was reinforced on 2021’s SamaeLilith: A Conjunction of the Fireborn split with Thy Darkened Shade, Amestigon, & Shaarimoth. The band have now returned with Temples Colliding in Fire, which delivers 44 minutes of new material. Continue reading “Inconcessus Lux Lucis – Temples Colliding in Fire (Review)”

Cobra the Impaler – Karma Collision (Review)

Cobra the Impaler are a Belgian metal band and this is their second album.

I enjoyed 2022’s Colossal Gods, so it’s great to have some new music from Cobra the Impaler. Across 52 minutes Karma Collision demonstrates that Colossal Gods was merely an appetiser, as now we have the main course. Continue reading “Cobra the Impaler – Karma Collision (Review)”

Downcross – White Tower (Review)

Downcross are a black metal band from Belarus and this is their sixth album.

White Tower contains 43 minutes of melodic black metal. It’s sharp and well-performed, and Downcross showcase what they’re capable of with attitude and force. Continue reading “Downcross – White Tower (Review)”

Svneatr – Never Return (Review)

Svneatr are a Canadian black metal band and this is their third album.

Across six tracks Never Return delivers 40 minutes of progressive black metal. Taking a second wave base and building on it with contemporary influences and an array of additional musical layers, Svneatr’s music is impressive and moreish. Continue reading “Svneatr – Never Return (Review)”

Dödsrit – Nocturnal Will (Review)

This is the fourth album from Swedish black metal band Dödsrit.

Whereas each of Dödsrit’s well-regarded previous albums, (including 2018’s top notch Spirit Crusher), contained four songs, Nocturnal Will breaks with tradition and delivers six tracks in total, (although to be fair one is a sub-minute interlude). Continue reading “Dödsrit – Nocturnal Will (Review)”

Primordial – How It Ends (Review)

Primordial are an Irish metal band and this is their tenth album.

Primordial are a reliably enjoyable band that found a voice of their own early on in their career. They have some top quality albums, the most recent of which was 2018’s Exile Amongst the Ruins. Playing a blackened form of heavy metal and doom, new album How It Ends delivers 66 minutes of Primordial’s inimitable material. Continue reading “Primordial – How It Ends (Review)”

Weald and Woe – For the Good of the Realm (Review)

This is the second album from US black metallers Weald and Woe.

Weald and Woe play a medieval folk-influenced brand of melodic black metal. Across 37 minutes they craft an album of ancient atmosphere and blackened hooks. Continue reading “Weald and Woe – For the Good of the Realm (Review)”

Spirit Adrift – Ghost at the Gallows (Review)

This is the fifth album from the US heavy metal band Spirit Adrift.

I’ve always enjoyed what Spirit Adrift offer, (check out Chained to Oblivion, Curse of Conception, Divided by Darkness, and Enlightened in Eternity), so new album Ghost at the Gallows is most welcome. Continue reading “Spirit Adrift – Ghost at the Gallows (Review)”