Jess and the Ancient Ones – The Horse and Other Weird Tales (Review)

Jess and the Ancient OnesJess and the Ancient Ones are an occult rock band from Finland and this is their third album.

This is quirky and expressive retro-styled rock, with plenty of personality and idiosyncrasies. Continue reading “Jess and the Ancient Ones – The Horse and Other Weird Tales (Review)”

Tyakrah – Wintergedanken (Review)

TyakrahTyakrah are a German black metal band and this is their debut album.

Tyakrah offer up 37 minutes of black metal. Their musical vision is raw and harsh, but not without its atmospheric moments. Melodic and depressive aspects of the blackened style can be heard in this epic music too.  Continue reading “Tyakrah – Wintergedanken (Review)”

Starsoup – Castles of Sand (Review)

StarsoupThis is the second album from Russian progressive rock band Starsoup.

Starsoup’s 2013 debut album Bazaar of Wonders was a wonderfully diverse and eclectic collection of progressive rock/metal that has become a firm favourite of mine. As such, I was excited to see that they now have a brand new album out for me to enjoy and get to know. Continue reading “Starsoup – Castles of Sand (Review)”

Savage Messiah – Hands of Fate (Review)

Savage MessiahThis is the fourth album from UK metal band Savage Messiah.

Savage Messiah specialise in modern melodic metal, while combining elements of both old and new into their sound. Hands of Fate contains over 45 minutes of this anthemic, personable metal. Continue reading “Savage Messiah – Hands of Fate (Review)”

Nexus – The Taint (Review)

NexusNexus are an Italian Gothic/industrial rock band and this is their debut album.

Taking an electronic and keyboard powered approach to their music, The Taint is an enjoyable trip to places that I haven’t visited in quite some time. Continue reading “Nexus – The Taint (Review)”

Sea in the Sky – Everything All at Once (Review)

Sea in the SkySea in the Sky are a progressive rock band from the US. This is their debut album.

This is modern progressive rock that has elements of the djent style, but without this aspect of the band’s sound becoming overbearing or distracting, as I find can sometimes be the case. There’s largely just about the right amount of djent in this so that it enhances rather than overpowers. Continue reading “Sea in the Sky – Everything All at Once (Review)”

Zud – A Wilderness Left Untamed (Review)

ZudZud are a US black metal band and this is their second album.

It’s been a long wait since the band’s 2013 debut album The Good, the Bad and the Damned, but we now finally have a new release from this very individualistic black metal band. Continue reading “Zud – A Wilderness Left Untamed (Review)”

Groke’s Clan – Vicious Circles (Review)

Groke's ClanGroke’s Clan are a Finnish metal band and this is their debut EP.

This is an interesting and enjoyable release. Blending various different heavy genres into one rocking whole, Vicious Circles showcases a band that are comfortable in their own skin and ready to bring the riffs wherever necessary. Continue reading “Groke’s Clan – Vicious Circles (Review)”

Daniel Cavanagh – Monochrome (Review)

Daniel CavanaghDaniel Cavanagh is a progressive rock solo artist from the UK and this is his latest album.

Daniel Cavanagh is a member of the mighty Anathema, and this is a useful starting point for viewing the progressive rock material on this album. Indeed, any fan of latter-day Anathema will feel right at home with Monochrome. Continue reading “Daniel Cavanagh – Monochrome (Review)”