Wintersun are an extreme metal band from Finland and this is their fourth album.
Essentially a solo act backed up by some talented musicians, Wintersun’s latest record has been eagerly awaited for some time by many people in the metal world. It’s been seven long years since 2017’s The Forest Seasons, so let’s dig in and see what we have here on Time II. Continue reading “Wintersun – Time II (Review)”
This is the sixth album from Fleshgod Apocalypse, an Italian death metal band.
Both 2016’s King and 2019’s Veleno were notable records, so it’s with great interest that we turn to the 43 minutes of new music on Opera. Returning after their biggest gap between albums, after challenging adversity, and with a change in lineup since their last album, what does 2024’s Fleshgod Apocalypse have to offer the world at large? Continue reading “Fleshgod Apocalypse – Opera (Review)”
This is the debut album from Simone Simons, a symphonic metal artist from the Netherlands.
I’ve always had a healthy respect for Epica, and for the vocals of their talented singer Simone Simons, so when Vermillion appeared, it only made sense to check it out. I’m so glad I did. Continue reading “Simone Simons – Vermillion (Review)”
Hammerfall are a Swedish heavy/power metal band and this is their thirteenth album.
I do enjoy visiting the world of Hammerfall when I can, (check out Built to Last, Glory to the Brave, and Renegade 2.0 too), so Avenge the Fallen is well-received. Hammerfall’s latest contains 47 minutes of new music, and is a strong record from this veteran band. Continue reading “Hammerfall – Avenge the Fallen (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)”
Against Evil are an Indian heavy metal band and this is their third album.
Against Evil play energy-filled heavy metal, and they play it very well. There are power and thrash metal influences at play here, particularly the latter, but essentially this is glorious fast-paced old-school heavy metal, delivered with contemporary passion and skill. Continue reading “Against Evil – Give ’em Hell (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)”
This is the second album from Greek progressive power metallers Sunburst.
Across 49 minutes Sunburst impress with their cinematic take on progressive metal. Manifesto comes from the point of view of progressive power metal, (think Kamelot, Cloudscape, Threshold, and Pagan’s Mind), but also contains minor touches of a more contemporary perspective, one that primarily manifests in some of the riffs and drums. It’s not strong, but it’s there in places. Apart from this, Manifesto is pure 00s progressive power metal worship. Continue reading “Sunburst – Manifesto (Review)”
This is the second album from Portuguese deathcore band Downfall of Mankind.
The promo blurb recommends Purgatory for fans of bands such as Distant, Gojira, and Lorna Shore, and calls it a mix of deathcore, progressive metal and atmosphere, which saves me the job of providing a rough overview before we get into the meat of it. Continue reading “Downfall of Mankind – Purgatory (Review)”
This is the second album from US death metal band Veriteras.
Veriteras play melodic black/death metal inspired by the old-school Scandinavian scene of the 90s. The Dark Horizon is a 31-minute homage to this era, and boy does it get a lot right. Continue reading “Veriteras – The Dark Horizon (Review)”
