Einar Selvik, Norwegian composer, musician and creative head of Wardruna, has gained an excellent reputation over the past decades as a specialist and musician of Nordic music, has written music for the TV series 'Vikings' and lately it was announced that he will compose the music for the new video game 'Assassin's Creed Valhalla' together... Continue Reading →
MANTAR announce ‘Grungetown Hooligans II’
To bridge the wait until the next studio album, Mantar is to release a new mini LP called ' Grungetown Hooligans II'. The record contains cover songs from bands that have influenced Mantar significantly. With 'Ghost Highway' the duo has launched a first song, in this case a cover of Mazzy Star. Release date is... Continue Reading →
CD review FORGOTTEN TOMB ‘Nihilisitc Estrangement’
Forgotten Tomb hail from Italy and are the brainschild of bandleader Herr Morbid. What started as a one-man-project developed and grew in the meantime into a trio. In 2003 Algol and Asher joined Forgotten Tomb and in this line-up the Italians released numerous albums until today. Their latest work is called 'Nihilistic Estrangement' and includes... Continue Reading →
SCHMIER from DESTRUCTION talks about the new live album, live shows and more
Destruction recently released a new live album called 'Born to Thrash - Live in Germany'. The album comes right in time to provide a very solid live vibe in a time when we all should be at festivals but instead stay home and listen to music. Destruction mainman Schmier made some time for you guys... Continue Reading →
CD review VANDENBERG ‘2020’
Vandenberg's Moonkings was already a statement of the Dutch guitar hero that found again his passion for hard rocking music. With '2020' the axeman from Den Haag unleashes a next masterpiece of his career, an album I haven't expected to be that strong and powerful. The year 2020, with all the COVID-19 drama might not be the best year in human history. The album '2020' though is one of the best classic rock / hard rock releases since years. Welkom terug Vandenberg.
CD review DARK ARENA ‘Alien Factor’ – re-issue
Dark Arena is a band that isn't on the radar of many metal fans which doesn't mean that the guys from Cleveland, Ohio play bad music. Not at all and the the contrary is reality. The band premiered in 2006 with an album called 'Alien Factor'. Pure Steel Records is now re-releasing the longplayer that... Continue Reading →
CD review PRETTY MAIDS ‘Maid In Japan – Back to the Future World
There are two albums which were on almost an endless loop in 1987. One was Helloween's 'Keeper of the Seven Keys pt.1' and the second one was Pretty Maid's 'Future World'. In the meantime we are 33 years later but the 10 songs of 'Future World' have lost none of their fascination. For the 30th... Continue Reading →
CD review SHOK PARIS ‘Full Metal Jacket’
It has been announced for quite some time and now it is about to be reality, a new record of Shok Paris. The band from Cleveland, Ohio had produced a small US metal icon in the 80s with 'Steel and Starlight', but disbanded in 1989 after the release of 'Concrete Killers'. Over the past few... Continue Reading →
CD review HORISONT ‘Sudden Death’
'Sudden Death' isn't deadly. On the contrary. Horisont's new album is vital and alive from start to finish. It exudes a lightness that makes it easy for the fans of well-crafted rock music to listen to the album. At the same time Horisont manage to ensure a long term listening experience through multi-layering and with every new round on your recordplayer new details appear. All in all 'Sudden Death' is a great album which actually should be enjoyed as vinyl.
CD review BITTERNESS ‘Dead World Order’
Waldshut-Tiengen, the homebase of Bitterness, isn't known for being the hot spot of Heavy Metal. However, Bitterness does their best to change this and having an album like 'Dead World Order' at hand is for sure very helpful. Bang your head.
CD review OZ ‘Forced Commandments’
OZ show with ''Forced Commandments'' that they aren't on the shelf yet and that Swedish steel doesn't rust that easily. The spirit of denim and leather, that what this album is about. Not more, but certainly also not less.
CD review PARADISE LOST ‘Obsidian’
‚Obsidian‘ is the impressive new album. Paradise Lost took all the strong moments of the different eras of the band and merged them in a great fashion. ‚Obsidian‘ is a very dense, dark, melancholic and heavy album. At the same time it carries a stronger gothic spirit and comprises of hooks that are irresistible. 2020 is already rich when it comes to great records and Paradise Lost adds another candidate for becoming 'album of the year‘ to the mix. It‘s your own fault if you miss this record.
CD review SHRAPNEL ‘Palace For the Insane’
Norwich is home to Shrapnel, a young thrash metal band who are presenting these days with 'Palace For the Insane' their third album. Formed in 2009 the debut album followed in 2014 and it was three years ago when the second album 'Raised on Decay' followed. Compared to the previous album we can detect a... Continue Reading →
Today, PRISTINE release a new EP
Norwegian rock band Pristine announces today the release of their new digital EP 'Fireball'. The band states, "We are very happy to announce the release of our EP this spring! In these challenging and strange times we felt the need to reflect on humanity and what makes us who we are. The beautiful cover art is designed by the... Continue Reading →
CD review DESTRUCTION ‘Born To Thrash – Live In Germany’
'Born To Thrash – Live In Germany' is a live album that brings back memories. It's more this emotional aspect, making this live record special since we all know the songs. But listening to them in a live setup is great and by the way, the song-selection is well done when it comes to reflecting all Destruction eras. Build up your tent in your living room, open a beer, heat-up Ravioli in a can and press the start button. You will not get more festival atmosphere this year.
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