(7/10) German prog metallers Vanden Plas are a safe bet when it comes to releasing good music. Frontman Andy Kuntz and band mates have a long track record with a starting point in 1994 when the guys premiered with ‘Colour Temple’. Since then Vanden Plas established themselves as an important player in European Prog Metal... Continue Reading →
CD review MICHAEL MONROE ‘One Man Gang’
(8/10) One of the best Hard Rock records this year has its roots in Scandinavia. Finland is the homebase of iconic frontman Michael Monroe, known from his successful days with Hanoi Rocks as well as known for numerous solo albums with great impact. ‘One Man Gang’ is Monroe’s new shot, a longplayer that represents the... Continue Reading →
CD review ENTRAILS ‘Rise of the Reaper’
(8/10) Entrails belong to the pioneers of Swedish Death Metal. The band appeared on the scene in the early '90s, together with bands like Dismember and Entombed. After a 14 years long hiatus Entrails returned in 2008 and became since then a constant factor in oldschool Death Metal. 'Rise of the Reaoper' is newest strike... Continue Reading →
CD review EPICA ‘Design Your Universe – Gold Edition’
(*/10) Epica belongs to the genre leaders in Symphonic Metal. Numerous longplayers and a lot of live shows have been the key for a winning streak that’s ongoing since 17 years. One of the milestones, an important one was the release of the ‘Design Your Universe’ album. Almost exactly 10 years ago the sixth record... Continue Reading →
CD review MUNICIPAL WASTE ‘The Last Rager’ – EP
(8/10) Virginia Metal metalheads Municipal Waste add a new four-track EP to the books. Three long years after the latest full-length album saw the light of day it's 'The Last Rager' bringing some new stuff to the plate. Municipal Waste delivers to expectation. Raw and ruthless Thrash Metal is what the powerpack stands for and... Continue Reading →
CD review INSOMNIUM ‘Heart Like a Grave’
(8/10) Insomniun started more than two decades ago in Joensuu, a small town in the Eastern parts of Finland. What started as a band of some teenagers at the time evolved to a great band with musical ambitions. Insomnium can build on a rather stable line-up but life’s also demands decisions. In 2018 guitarist Ville... Continue Reading →
CD review HELLOWEEN ‘United Alive in Madrid’
(*/10) Helloween's 'Pumpkins United' tour feels like a dream that became true. Instead of performing some shows in an 'old-school setup', Helloween decided to go for a slightly different approach. 'Pumpkins United' is the banner for a very special band setup that includes all the current band members with the addition of no less than... Continue Reading →
CD review LACUNA COIL ‘Black Anima’
(8/10) After Lacuna Coil started in 1994, the Italian Metal powerhouse became a rising star rather quickly. Albums like 'Comalies' and 'Karmacode' have been a springboard for the band, together with a deal they inked with Century Media. Over the years Lacuna Coil became to one of the influential bands in Modern Metal. While being... Continue Reading →
CD review Steve Grimmett’s GRIM REAPER ‘At the Gates’
(7/10) Heavy Metal had a heyday period in the '80s with many metalheads starting a band at the time. Some made it to the top while others released some well-crafted record but stayed in the underground of Heavy Metal. UK-based Grim Reaper is one of the bands that was never kissed by the spotlight of... Continue Reading →
CD review RAY ALDER ‘What the Water Wants’
(8/10) Ray Alder, the voice of Fates Warning, worked on his first real solo album. 'What the Water Wants' is the title of the record that showcases one of the best singers in Metal. Although Alder released under the banner of Engine two albums a couple of decades ago it is the new release that... Continue Reading →
CD review DAMIAN WILSON ‘Thank You – The Holdsworth Sessions’
(*/10) Can you make yourself a better birthday present when becoming 50 that releasing an EP the same day? Probably not. Damian Wilson is one of the lucky guys that can combine the two. The iconic singer, amongst others know from his time with Threshold, releases a new EP simply entitled 'Thank You - The... Continue Reading →
CD review MORTEM ‘Ravnsvart’
(8/10) ‘Ravnsvart’ is the title of Mortem, a new outfit with well-known musicians. Steinar Sverd Johnsen (g) (Arcturus, Covenant, Satyricon), Marius Vold (v) (Stigma Diabolicum, Thorns, Arcturus) Hellhammer (d) (Mayhem, Covenant, Arcturus) and Tor R. Stavenes (b) (1349, Svart Lotus, Den Saakaldte) are all experienced Black Metal pioneers. The guys found together under the banner... Continue Reading →
CD review IQ ‘Resistance’
(8/10) British Prog Rock pioneers IQ are back with a new album entitled 'Resistance'. The band, formed by guitarist Mike Holmes in 1981, belongs to the icons of progressive music from the UK and numerous terrific longplayers speaks to the power of IQ's music. With 'Resistance' Holmes and bandmates add a next chapter to the... Continue Reading →
CD review WEDNESDAY 13 ‘Necrophaze’
(7/10) Right in time for the beginning of the darker seasons Wednesday 13 unveils his next longplayer. 'Necrophaze' is the bringer of a next chapter of horror and creepy stories. Two years after ‘Condolences’ found its way out of some moisty soil, twelve new songs are supposed to provide some extra goose bumps for fans... Continue Reading →
CD review LIFE OF AGONY ‘The Sound of Scars’
(8/10) It was back in 1993 when a mind-blowing album called 'River Runs Red' has been released. The band - Life Of Agony. The quartet from New York challenged with songs like 'This Time', 'Underground' and the title track everybody's speakers. Hardcore, Metal and groove blended into each other in perfection and up to date... Continue Reading →









