Deitus – Via Dolorosa (I, Voidhanger)
Five varied slabs of black metal make up “Via Dolorosa”, Deitus’s second full album release. What’s impressive here is the progression of atmospheres from dank spaces to fiery riffs and melodies. So it is with the opener “Hallowed Terror”, which leaves us enough breathing space.. Read More
Lord of Solitude / Thronehammer – Vampire Bites Split (Church Within)
Church Within Records started a project of releasing a series of split EPs, starting with “The Church Within Vol. 1: Vampire Bites”, which features Lord Of Solitude from New Zealand and Thronehammer from the UK and Germany. The entire series will be released on 10”.. Read More
Spearhead – Pacifism Is Cowardice (Invictus)
A quick browse of t’internet tells us that Spearhead are from “southern England”, though we’re unable to identify specifically if they’re pointy-headed fucks from Cornwall, bumpkins from the West country, Mockneys from the home counties, toffs from Surrey, or wide boys from Essex. Aside from.. Read More
The Deep – Watching You (S/R)
The Deep came out with a fantastic debut release a while back, since then there’s been a terrific selection of live shows and each time I see this band I am reminded of how great a band they really are. Categorized in the NWOBHM field,.. Read More
Alunah – Amber & Gold (S/R)
“Not now Dumbo, can’t you see I’m busy?” Okay, what the feck is that buffoon Spenny typing now, I may well hear you ask? Simply put, I was addressing the elephant in the room regarding the new vocalist for Alunah (dear Editor, feel free to.. Read More
Lethean – The Waters of Death (Cruz Del Sur)
This is a project featuring multi-instrumentalist James Ashbey (Deceptor, ex-Solstice, Craven Idol and Doctor Death) and singer Thumri Paavana. Described as a cross between Doom, Epic Metal and NWOBHM, the thought is quite tempting. Immediately you are dragged into epic metal territory with ‘Idylls of.. Read More
Cancer – Shadow Gripped (Peaceville)
It’s pretty telling that with Cancer you have to mention that fourth album. Their first three early nineties albums were pretty darned well received and are still rightly held in high esteem by many fans of death and thrash metal. But you always have to.. Read More
Eternal Rot- Cadaverine (Godz Ov War)
All Metal genres are brutally saturated with material, from good to bad, for better or for worse. But with each good and each bad sub-genre there is an undying dedicated fan base. If you wanted to you could listen to nothing but Old School Death.. Read More
Iron Void – Excalibur (Shadow Kingdom)
Doom Metal might sound like the most earth shattering, misery stricken genre of music ever but there is a certain inoffensive quality about it. Having its roots firmly planted in the beginnings of Metal with Black Sabbath there is surely no Metalhead that doesn’t enjoy.. Read More
Uncle Acid And The Deadbeats – Wasteland (Rise Above Records)
I’ve been glad to say I’ve been following Uncle Acid And The Deadbeats (hereafter to be abbreviated to Uncle Acid; no disrespect to The Deadbeats, but it’s quite a long band name) since the early days. I won’t pretend to own one of the original.. Read More
Temples on Mars – S/T (Primordial Records)
My first encounter with London-based Temples on Mars was at ProgPower Europe this year. I learned that this London-based band was previously called Agent, hardly a stand-out name, and this is effectively a re-launch. After the band’s entertaining heavy melodic prog rock set, I picked.. Read More
Haken – Vector (Inside Out Records)
I go around a lot in Prog circles and I’ve sensed a shift change in attitude towards Haken. Whereas around 3 or 4 years ago, they were the bee’s knees and the favourite band of many, I’ve heard the view expressed a number of times.. Read More
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