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)”

Wild Beyond – Wild Beyond (Review)

Wild Beyond - Wild BeyondThis is the debut album from US black metal band Wild Beyond.

Featuring current and ex-members of Daeva, Infernal Stronghold, Woe, and Woods of Ypres, Wild Beyond is a 31-minute onslaught of blistering black metal with a ferocious thrash edge. Continue reading “Wild Beyond – Wild Beyond (Review)”

Thron – Dust (Review)

Thron - DustThron are a black metal band from Germany and this is their fourth album.

Now boasting the drummer of the mighty Aara in their ranks, Dust contains 55 minutes of accomplished black metal. I haven’t caught up with the band since 2018’s Abysmal, so it’s good to hear what they’re up to once more, and I have not been disappointed. Quite the opposite, in fact. Continue reading “Thron – Dust (Review)”

Morass of Molasses – End All We Know (Review)

Morass of Molasses - End All We KnowThis is the third album from Morass of Molasses, a stoner rock/metal band from the UK.

Following on from 2019’s The Ties That Bind, End All We Know contains 38 minutes of fuzzed-out jams. Playing a stoner-inflected brand of heavy blues that benefits from metal and rock components, Morass of Molasses bring us an individual vision of a well-worn style. Continue reading “Morass of Molasses – End All We Know (Review)”