'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 →
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.
DVD review TRIPTYKON With The METROPOLE ORKEST ‘Requiem (Live at Roadburn)’
'Requiem (Live At Roadburn 2019)' shows in perfection how creativity can be used to challenge existing frames without losing its own core. Filmed with various cameras, this release transports music and spirit of a unique concert right into your living room. It's jaw-dropping music and you can see it with fan reactions. Instead of being a wild crowd, rapt fans fill the sold-out big hall at 013 and it was enthusiastic, but also respectful cheering that rewarded Warrior, Triptykon and everybody involved for all the effort put into this project. Impressive.
CD review GREEN CARNATION ‘Leaves of Yesteryear’
'Leaves From Yesteryear' is the successful comeback of the Norwegian sound architects. The album, actually more of an EP, combines band history and present in an entertaining and impressive way. Welcome back.
CD review BLAZON RITE ‘Dulce Bellum Inexpertis’ – EP
Blazon Rite is a new metal outfit, hailing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The band, including Pierson Roe (b), Ryan Haley (d), James Kirn (g) and Johnny Halladay (v), released a few weeks ago their first EP, a four-track record with pure underground metal. The album starts slow and with a cinematic intro, being the starting point... Continue Reading →
CD review TYRANT (U.S.) ‘Hereafter’
The importance of live shows and festivals can't be emphasized enough. Not only that these are the moment that bring metal to life, they are also initiator and motivator for some veteran bands to return onstage and maybe more. Tyrant, hailing from Pasadena, California, is one of these bands that had some first heydays in... Continue Reading →
CD review FIREWIND ‘Firewind’
Gus G. and Firewind have been in the business for 20 years now and after such a long time the guys release a self-titled new album, a new treat of melodic metal. 'Firewind' is like a kind of new beginning, considering the fact that long time member Bob Katsionis left the band and Henning Basse... Continue Reading →
CD review THE GREAT LIE ‘Defying Extinction’
Six songs, 13 minutes - that's hardcore and that's the newest release of Long Island, NY-based The Great Lie. Nearly two years after having released an EP entitled 'All Roads Lead to Where You Stand' the quintet returns with 'Defying Extinction'. The six tracks on this EP are like musical twisters and there is not... Continue Reading →
CD review BLAST BOMB ‘Live & Explosive in the UK’
Blast Bomb stands for dirty and down-to-earth rock, spiced up with a strong pinch of a punk attitude. The first time I heard of Blast Bomb was when they opened for Life Of Agony last year in Hamburg. Due to a relatively late announcement as support and an early stage time, the guys had to... Continue Reading →
CD review NAGLFAR ‘Celecloth’
It is countless years ago that Naglfar released their latest studio album. 'Téras' escaped the purgatory in 2012 and since then there was not much new material of Naglfar's Swedish Black Metal to be heard. This is changing right now, because with 'Cerecloth' a new record is in the starting blocks. Naglfar's seventh album to... Continue Reading →
CD review ALKYMIST ‘Sanctuary’
'Sanctuary' is an album, which shines by its intensity. The four danes manage to create sound collages which are dark and melancholic. On the other hand, they also manage to give the whole sound expression a certain lightness every now and then, which makes this longplayer to an interesting journey through varied worlds of gloom. I was impressed by 'Sanctuary' and maybe even a little bit of Danish happiness was spilling over to me.









