Sonja – Loud Arriver (Review)

Sonja - Loud ArriverThis is the debut album from US heavy metal band Sonja.

Loud Arriver boasts 38 minutes of music, and once you have been exposed to Sonja’s world, it’s hard to get enough of it. Playing a form of traditional heavy metal that contains elements of Gothic rock, 80s rock, and post-punk, Sonja’s debut album is very charismatic and extremely enjoyable. Continue reading “Sonja – Loud Arriver (Review)”

The Necromancers – Where the Void Rose (Review)

The Necromancers - Where the Void RoseThis is the third album from The Necromancers, a French heavy metal/rock band.

Playing a mix of classic heavy metal and occult rock, The Necromancers impress over 38 minutes with their charismatic and compelling take on an old-school style. Continue reading “The Necromancers – Where the Void Rose (Review)”

Gone Cosmic – Send for a Warning, the Future’s Calling (Review)

Gone Cosmic - Send for a Warning, the Future’s CallingGone Cosmic are a rock band from Canada and this is their second album.

Gone Cosmic play retro blues-laced psychedelic rock with a progressive edge, and touches of heavy metal. Which is a relatively simplistic description for such a potent record. Continue reading “Gone Cosmic – Send for a Warning, the Future’s Calling (Review)”

Might – Abyss (Review)

Might - AbyssThis is the second album from German doom band Might.

Might play an atypical form of doom metal with elements of post-rock, sludge, punk, grunge, and noise rock. Abyss is an unusually varied album, and operates in a lot of genres and styles, sometimes all at once. Continue reading “Might – Abyss (Review)”

Dawnwalker – House of Sand (Review)

Dawnwalker - House of SandThis is the fifth album from UK progressive rock band Dawnwalker.

Driven by a single artist who has gathered a rich band of musicians around him, the core standard instruments are fleshed out by piano, violins, and no fewer than four vocalists. Continue reading “Dawnwalker – House of Sand (Review)”

Holding Absence & Alpha Wolf – The Lost & the Longing – Split (Review)

Holding Absence & Alpha Wolf - The Lost & the LongingAlpha Wolf are an Australian metalcore band and Holding Absence are a UK modern rock band. They have teamed up for this split release.

Alpha Wolf, (check out A Quiet Place to Die), give us two songs, lasting just over six minutes in total. Continue reading “Holding Absence & Alpha Wolf – The Lost & the Longing – Split (Review)”

Dub War – Westgate under Fire (Review)

Dub War - Westgate under FireDub War are a metal band from the UK and this is their third album.

Combining metal, punk, hip hop, and reggae influences into their groundbreaking style, I had a lot of time for Dub War in the 90s. As such, it’s an unexpected treat to have some new material from them. Westgate Under Fire gives us 48 minutes of multifaceted musical mayhem. Continue reading “Dub War – Westgate under Fire (Review)”

Oceans of Slumber – Starlight and Ash (Review)

Oceans of Slumber - Starlight and AshThis 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)”