This is the fourth album from UK progressive metal band Black Orchid Empire.
Tempus Veritas showcases that talents of Black Orchid Empire across an easily enjoyable 38 minutes. The style is a contemporary blend of progressive, technical, and alternative/melodic rock/metal, one that is textured and vibrant. Continue reading “Black Orchid Empire – Tempus Veritas (Review)”
This is the debut album from US rock band Hoaxed.
Two Shadows offers the discerning listener 28 minutes of characterful dark rock. Comprised of a few different influences from a range of styles, Hoaxed are charismatic and idiosyncratic. Elements of Gothic, melodic, alternative, and folk rock are Continue reading “Hoaxed – Two Shadows (Review)”
This is the fifth album from US progressive rock band Oceans of Slumber.
I really liked 2018’s The Banished Heart, but 2020’s self titled was something even more special, making it on to my end of year list. I wasn’t sure how Oceans of Slumber could top their last album, and I’m pleased that they haven’t tried to; as you may have noticed, I’ve tagged this as a progressive rock album, rather than Continue reading “Oceans of Slumber – Starlight and Ash (Review)”
This is the debut album from Sarayasign, a rock band from Sweden.
Occasionally you stumble, blindly, across an album that is a real gem. Throne of Gold is exactly one such release. Sarayasign’s rock style may have fallen out of fashion some time ago, but that doesn’t change the fact that what they have produced here is a damn good album. Continue reading “Sarayasign – Throne of Gold (Review)”
Reach are a Swedish rock band and this is their third album.
Reach play song-based rock music, and they have produced 38 minutes of this for us to enjoy on The Promise of Life. You can imagine Reach as a mix of bands such as Muse and Queen, as a rough starting point. Continue reading “Reach – The Promise of a Life (Review)”
This is the second album from Aenemica, a German progressive rock band.
This is the follow up to 2014’s Empty Inside,
These songs feature a mix of progressive, melodic, and alternative rock, nicely-written and neatly-presented. Aenemica understand the style that they play, meaning that these songs have plenty of hooks and memorable moments, while Continue reading “Aenemica – Secret Lines (Review)”
This is the latest EP from First Signs of Frost, a modern rock band from the UK.
Inspired by the likes of Deftones, Glassjaw, and the less-harsh aspects of Periphery and Sikth, this short EP is 18 minutes of emotive and anthemic modern music that’s played with obvious passion. Continue reading “First Signs of Frost – The Shape of Things to Come (Review)”
Edguy are a long-running power/heavy metal band from Germany and this is a 25-year anniversary compilation album, (plus some other things).
Edguy are one of those bands that, for some reason, I’ve never actually heard before this release, despite being aware of them pretty much since they released their first album in 1995. I don’t normally review, (or listen to), Continue reading “Edguy – Monuments (Review)”
Ann My Guard are from Hungary and play Melodic Rock/Metal. This is their début album.
Mixing the extravagance of bands like Evanescence and Lacuna Coil with the Earthy grit of bands like Hole, Ann My Guard have produced a very impressive début.
The singer has a very powerful voice that’s versatile and strong. The vocals seems to seep from every pore of the music, however they don’t overpower it as the band has a core of Rock/Metal that refuses to be subdued.
This is richly melodic and falls on the more commercial side of the Modern Metal spectrum, although that certainly doesn’t intrinsically mean anything is wrong with it. Quite the reverse in fact, as the songs are strongly written and well-produced.
Although the vocals are undoubtedly the central focus, the music doesn’t slack. The instruments are well played and have a good sound to them. The fact that the guitars are not completely watered down like some bands of a similar style to this should tell you all you need to know. Rather than a vehicle for a singer this is a real band, as the coherence of the album attests to.
The band create very lush and textured soundscapes, with plenty of piano and subtle sounds to accompany the traditional drums/bass/guitar triad. This is an album of memorable tunes and good songs.
Although a lot lighter and considerably less extreme than a lot of the stuff that makes its way onto this site, this is nonetheless a worthy acquisition for when you want something a bit less intense and a lot more floating-ly melodic.
Check them out and have a listen.
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