Hard Rock – Wonderbox Metal

End of Transmission: 1995-2025 The Final Tour – Orange Goblin/Grand Magus/Urne – Academy 2, Manchester – 13/12/25 (Live Review)

This is quite the event. Legendary band Orange Goblin are calling it a day after 30 years, sadly, and this is their farewell tour. It’s sold out, which I’m happy for them about, as they’re a band who deserves all the success they have had and more. Tonight they’re joined by two other bands that I’m a fan of too, the mighty Grand Magus and the riff-tastic Urne. It promises to be a good one. Continue reading “End of Transmission: 1995-2025 The Final Tour – Orange Goblin/Grand Magus/Urne – Academy 2, Manchester – 13/12/25 (Live Review)”

Vígljós – Tome II: Ignis Sacer (Review)

Vígljós are a Swiss black metal band and this is their second album.

Tome II: Ignis Sacer contains 43 minutes of material from this enigmatic act. Vígljós’ style is rooted in the second wave, but brought to life with expressive synths, mellotron, and an occasional hard rock feel to some of the riffs. Continue reading “Vígljós – Tome II: Ignis Sacer (Review)”

Appalooza – The Emperor of Loss (Review)

This is the fourth album from French heavy rockers Appalooza.

The successor to 2023’s The Shining Son, The Emperor of Loss contains 50 minutes, (with bonus track), of Appalooza’s characterful hard rock. Blending the classic rock, stoner, alternative, and grunge styles together into a collection of compelling songs, Appalooza have once again hit that sweet spot that most modern rock bands easily miss. Continue reading “Appalooza – The Emperor of Loss (Review)”

In the Company of Serpents – A Crack in Everything (Review)

In the Company of Serpents are a doom metal band from the US and this is their fifth album.

I’ve enjoyed watching In the Company of Serpents ply their heaviness over the years. From 2014’s Merging in Light, to 2017’s Ain-Soph Aur, to 2020’s Lux, the band have always put releases out that hit the spot for me. Now, five years after their last album, we have the 44-minute A Crack in Everything to satiate our need for sludge/doom soundscapes. Continue reading “In the Company of Serpents – A Crack in Everything (Review)”

Full of Hell – Broken Sword, Rotten Shield (Review)

This is the latest EP from US grindcore band Full of Hell.

A new 15 minutes of Full of Hell‘s scathingly charismatic grindcore? Hell yes! Broken Sword, Rotten Shield is a compendium of different influences, all brought together with the band’s consummate skill into seven adventurous tracks. It’s harsh, but delightful. Continue reading “Full of Hell – Broken Sword, Rotten Shield (Review)”

Kal-EL – Astral Voyager Vol. 1 (Review)

This is the sixth album from Norwegian doom/stoner metal band Kal-El.

I thoroughly enjoyed 2021’s Dark Majesty, so I’m chuffed that there’s a new Kal-El album. More than just this one too, apparently. The first part of an ambitious double album, Astral Voyager Vol. 1 contains 42 minutes of new material from Kal-El. Let’s get stuck right in. Continue reading “Kal-EL – Astral Voyager Vol. 1 (Review)”

Alunah – Fever Dream (Review)

This is the seventh album from UK doom metal band Alunah.

Alunah seem to be on an upward trajectory. From 2017’s Solennial to 2019’s Violet Hour to 2022’s Strange Machine, there doesn’t seem to be any stopping the band. Strange Machine I loved in particular. This makes Fever Dream hotly anticipated over here, although bittersweet, as apparently it’s to be the last album featuring the band’s excellent singer Siân Greenaway, which is a huge shame. Continue reading “Alunah – Fever Dream (Review)”

Firewind – Stand United (Review)

This is the tenth album from Greek heavy/power metal band Firewind.

Brought to us be current and ex-members of bands such as Dream Evil, Kamelot, Nightrage, Ozzy Osbourne, Firewind bring a lot of talent and experience to the party. Across 43 minutes they deliver ten tracks of classic metallic songcraft, (one of which is a cover song). Continue reading “Firewind – Stand United (Review)”

Howling Giant – Glass Future (Review)

Howling Giant are a rock band from the US and this is their second album.

I like me a bit of what Howling Giant are peddling, and Glass Future‘s 41 minutes of tuneage hits the spot nicely. Continue reading “Howling Giant – Glass Future (Review)”

Appalooza – The Shining Son (Review)

Appalooza are a French heavy rock band and this is their third album.

The Shining Son contains 45 minutes of quality rock music. Taking in elements of the hard, stoner, and alternative rock/grunge styles, Appalooza’s charismatic music is easy to like. Continue reading “Appalooza – The Shining Son (Review)”