(6/10) The label sheet that came with Halcyon Ways’s new album ‘Bloody but Unbowed’ mentions Megadeth, Dream Theater, Testament and Chimaira as a source of inspiration for the five guys from Atlanta, Georgia. After having listened to the album several times I think that the mentioned comparison nails it pretty much and what could be... Continue Reading →
CD review BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE ‘Gravity’
(7/10) Bullet For My Valentine's roots go back to 1998 when the band started as Jeff Killed John. After some name-changes the guys transformed to Bullet For My Valentine and started an impressive career in metal. The band debut with ‘The Poison’ in 2005, becoming a rising star in modern metal. The first album could... Continue Reading →
CD review ATROCITY ‘Okkult II’
(8/10) Atrocity belongs to the pioneers of German death metal. Formed in 1985 the band debut in 1989 with 'Blue Blood'. Since then various releases followed. The band became known by a wider audience in the late 90's when the 'Werk 80' album was revealed. The approach of taking 80's and 90's pop-/electro songs and turning... Continue Reading →
CD review CONTINENTAL ‘Home on the Range’
(8/10) ‘Home on the Range’ is an album that might not fit entirely into the context of this blog, but as you know from some of the earlier reviews, I sometimes care less about the fact if an album fits into the genre of metal. Continental’s new album is such a release that has nothing... Continue Reading →
CD review CORONER ‘Mental Vortex’ & ‘Grin’ – re-issues
Not only due to the ‚Noise lebt!‘ campaign, but supported by it, Swiss thrash icons Coroner gain momentum again these days. I could witness the trio at this years Rock Hard Festival when the band performed an exquisite gig. Coroner began in 1984 and debut in 1987 with ‚R.I.P‘. What made the band to something... Continue Reading →
DVD review BRUCE DICKINSON ‘Scream For Me Sarajevo’
There are many DVD’s and Blu-Rays, capturing fantastic shows and concerts of rock and metal bands; moments that were great and a true highlight for fans. DVD’s and Blu-Rays are a great tool to let even more fans participate in these concerts that solely the ones that were lucky enough to get a ticket. Today... Continue Reading →
CD review BATTLEROAR ‘Codex Epicus’
(8/10) Four years have gone by since Greece epic metal powerhouse Battleroar unveiled their latest longplayer. ‘Blood of Legends’ has been released in 2014 and it’s ‘Codex Epicus’ that marks the return of the band, hailing from Athens. As with the earlier records also the newest one comprises of epic power metal that finds its... Continue Reading →
CD review BLOODLOST ‘Diary of Death’
(7/10) Switzerland is known for some good rock and hard rock bands as well as their striking extreme metal scene with bands like Celtic Frost, Messiah and Triptycon in forefront. It’s not that many thrash metal bands that could gain a widened popularity beyond Swiss borders. The legendary prog thrashers Drifter have been one of... Continue Reading →
CD review KHEMMIS ‘Desolation’
(8/10) Denver, Colorado – based metallists Khemmis belong to the rising stars over the last years. The quartet debut in 2015 with ‘Absolution’, followed by the sophomore album, entitled ‘Hunted’. Both records were critically acclaimed and acted as a springboard for inking a deal with no less than Nuclear Blast Records. The decisive third album... Continue Reading →
CD review JEAN BEAUVOIR ‘Rock Masterpieces Vol. 1’
(*/10) Jean Beauvoir is a colorful character in rock. The multi-instrumentalist started his career after having moved to NYC. He joined The Plasmatics as a bassplayer and released three records with them. This period has been a springboard for Beauvoir, who later one had several releases with Crown Of Thorns and also quite some solo... Continue Reading →
CD review KING HEAVY ‘Guardian Demons’
(8/10) ‘Guardian Demons’ is King Heavy’s next studio album, following the 2015 debut ‘King Heavy’. The sophomore record comprises of six songs with roots in traditional doom metal. King Heavy was founded back in 2009 by former Procession founder Daniel Perez Saa and Luce Vee. The quartet is not looking for the quick outs. These... Continue Reading →
CD review FATES WARNING ‚Live Over Europe‘
(9/10) Fates Warning belongs to the real pioneers of progressive US metal. Jim Matheos and band mates never reached a status of playing huge arenas which is probably one secret of the band‘s excellent music. Fates Warning is a band that achieved a lot. Twelve full–length studio albums speak a clear languages and the fact... Continue Reading →
CD review NECRYTIS ‘ Dread en Ruin’
(6/10) After having released the debut in 2017 US metal band Necrytis worked on a next album. The work’s accomplished and ‘Dread en Ruin’ is ready to be shipped to the record stores. Some of the tracks on this album are done quite well. One of them is the eight minutes long ‘Call Us Insanity’.... Continue Reading →
CD review MOUNTAINEER ‘Passages’
(8/10) The tracklist of Mountaineer’s new album ‘Passages’ is quite easy to grasp. There are two section – ‘Hymnal’ and ‘Catacombs’ – with each of them being divided into four parts. It’s not brainpowerful math that this leads to eight songs that are anchored in post metal. What the naming of tunes expresses also reflects... Continue Reading →
CD review ASG ‘Survive Sunrise’
(7/10) ASG is the acronym for All Systems Go, the original name of this band that started in 2001 in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. ‘Survive Sunrise’ is the first album the quartet releases in five years and it features 12 new songs. ASG started as a trio playing instrumental songs before guitarist Shi took over... Continue Reading →









