Amaranthe – Helix (Spinefarm Records)
A crossover between extreme metal and electronic tunes is the ultimate mission for the Swedish giants, Amaranthe, who have unleashed their techno influenced hard rock in this latest release, ‘Helix’ ‘The Score’ opens with a futuristic spoken word piece before Elize Ryd kicks in with.. Read More
Vanhelgd – Deimos Sanktuarium (Pulverised)
There are certain achievements that bands seem to hold in high regard, anniversaries, number of releases and so forth. Naturally this sort of egotistical self-awarding comes with a sort of uprising from fans whereby they equally appear to share the bands joy. Although this can.. Read More
Hypnos – Set Fire to the Sky (The Sign Recordings)
Well after the initial play through, this album pretty much writes its own review. These Swedes, now into album number three, take a modern stance on classic rock. Wow, does this deliver. I found them only recently via a 7 inch single, so I was.. Read More
Paranoid – Heavy Mental Fuck Up (The Sign)
Bands of this ilk are the reason I hurt my arm and damaged my pride 2 weeks ago. I am a portly man of 45 years who still cannot get past the idea that I cannot ride a skateboard. As part of my day job.. Read More
Blood Of Serpents – Sulphur Sovereign (Non Serviam Records)
Often a sophomore album will be a marginal evolution from what came before. There are notable exceptions where a band tear up the script and start again completely; Darkthrone being an obvious candidate. Blood Of Serpents haven’t exactly thrown away the rule book here, but.. Read More
Dynazty – Firesign (AFM)
Sometimes association with past experiences can be misleading. A friend of mine lent me a CD by Dynazty a few years back when they were on Spinefarm – “I love this lot…and they sound like Dokken” he raved (not sure if he loved the band.. Read More
Second Sun – Eländes Elände (Gaphals)
Sat as I am by a keyboard connected to an electronic system undreamed of in my youth that gives me access to all the information in the world I’m likely to need, and being in a position that I’m unlikely to be recognised by any.. Read More
Grisly – The Spectral Wars (Xtreem)
To quote the vastly talented tattoo artist Curly Moore “addiction implies a lack of control” alas bringing this theory into the practice of my own Death Metal lusts I fear that control is at my folly. Try as I might Death Metal is my sole.. Read More
Manimal – Purgatorio (AFM)
Impressive Swedish Heavy/Power Metal band Manimal may have a bit of a silly name, but there’s nothing particularly comical about the delivery of their particular blend of high energy, no-nonsense Metal. Not for them the symphonic noodlings of Sonata Arctica or Kamelot (though they clearly.. Read More
Crawl – Rituals (Transcending Obscurity Records)
Do you like pro-wrestling? I do, lots of metal fans do as it happens. Then again, some of my mates call it “pants fighting” and suggest I just like watching oiled up muscular men in lycra sit on each other. They’re wrong of course…..I was.. Read More
Axis Of Despair – Contempt For Man (Southern Lord)
A bit of background here as this Swedish grindcore act has been around for about five years and has released two EPs during that time but also the band is comprised of three ex-members of Coldworker, Oskar Pålsson (bass), Joel Fornbrant (vocals) and Anders Jakobson.. Read More
Carchosa – Carchosa (S/R)
‘If you want something doing, you’re best doing it yourself’. Time and time again, this saying has proven true and in the case of Henrik Nygren from Malmö, Sweden, when he was trying to create his own musical venture. Unable to find anyone who was.. Read More
Your Comments