The Silent Rage – Nuances of Life (Review)

The Silent Rage - Nuances of LifeThis is the second album from Greek power metallers The Silent Rage.

Nuances of Life contains 58 minutes, (with bonus tracks), of melodic power metal. It’s an album that should find favour with fans of the heavier, grittier side of the style. For a starting point for The Silent Rage’s music, imagine a mix of Nevermore, Iced Earth, Angel Dust, Judas Priest, and Testament. Continue reading “The Silent Rage – Nuances of Life (Review)”

Cloak – Black Flame Eternal (Review)

Cloak - Black Flame EternalThis is the third album from US black metal band Cloak.

Cloak play black metal with melodic weight and malevolent guitars, yet do so with their own personality that betrays a healthy classic metal influence. Black Flame Eternal is a 49-minute journey into the band’s dark world. Continue reading “Cloak – Black Flame Eternal (Review)”

Legacy of Brutality – Travellers to Nowhere (Review)

Legacy of Brutality - Travellers to NowhereThis is the fourth album from Spanish death metallers Legacy of Brutality.

Legacy of Brutality play death metal that is backed up by melodic might. Theirs is a recipe that takes many well-used ingredients, but deploys them in ways that end up very tasty and satisfying indeed. Continue reading “Legacy of Brutality – Travellers to Nowhere (Review)”

Gatekeeper – From Western Shores (Review)

Gatekeeper - From Western ShoresThis is the second album from US heavy metal band Gatekeeper.

Gatekeeper play epic heavy metal, and they do this with passion and skill. From Western Shores contains 49 minutes of classic-feeling material from a band that clearly know what they’re doing with this old-school style. Continue reading “Gatekeeper – From Western Shores (Review)”

They Watch Us from the Moon – Cosmic Chronicles, Act I: The Ascension (Review)

They Watch Us from the Moon - Cosmic Chronicles, Act I The AscensionThey Watch Us from the Moon are a doom/stoner metal band from the US and this is their debut album.

Cosmic Chronicles, Act I: The Ascension provides us with a feast of progressive stoner doom. Across 45 minutes – five meaty songs – They Watch Us from the Moon impress with their charismatic take on a notoriously bland style. Spoiler alert: bland, this is not. Continue reading “They Watch Us from the Moon – Cosmic Chronicles, Act I: The Ascension (Review)”

Curse of Cain – Curse of Cain (Review)

Curse of Cain - Curse of CainThis is the debut album from Swedish metal band Curse of Cain.

Now here’s an interesting and unexpected release. Curse of Cain‘s 42 minutes weaves a compelling post-apocalyptic story that cooks together a bunch of different ingredients that probably shouldn’t work, but actually does. The end result is tasty and satisfying. Continue reading “Curse of Cain – Curse of Cain (Review)”

Battle Born – Blood, Fire, Magic and Steel (Review)

Battle Born - Blood, Fire, Magic and SteelThis is the debut album from UK power metallers Battle Born.

Following on from their 2020 self-titled debut EP, Battle Born have returned to bring TRVE METAL back into our hearts. Blood, Fire, Magic and Steel brings us 45 minutes of the stuff, and it is glorious. Continue reading “Battle Born – Blood, Fire, Magic and Steel (Review)”

Smoulder – Violent Creed of Vengeance (Review)

Smoulder - Violent Creed of VengeanceThis is the second album from Canadian/Finnish heavy metallers Smoulder.

Featuring seven tracks running 42 minutes in length, Violent Creed of Vengeance is a thoroughly enjoyable slab of epic heavy metal. Break out the swords and get ready for adventure! Continue reading “Smoulder – Violent Creed of Vengeance (Review)”

Blood Star – First Sighting (Review)

Blood Star - First SightingBlood Star are a heavy metal band from the US and this is their debut album.

Featuring a member of Visigoth, First Sighting provides us with a 33-minute journey into the past. First Sighting is a well-written slab of traditional heavy metal. The band ply their trade with passion and obvious skill, and the Continue reading “Blood Star – First Sighting (Review)”