Tag Archives: Arch Enemy

DragonForce – Warp Speed Warriors

Posted on by

Before we start, go back and take another look at the cover art.

Go on, I’ll wait.

See, while some bands go for a subtle or even abstract “don’t judge a book by its cover” approach, other bands are Dragonforce. Everything emblazoned on the cover to ninth full length studio release Warp Speed Warriors (Napalm Records) is represented here through the medium of eardrum destroying sound. No room for understatement, metaphor or artifice – just a bold, blinding explosion of light, colour and comic book action.Continue reading →


ALBUM REVIEW: Suldusk – Anthesis

Posted on by

Anthesis (Napalm Records) is the second full album from Australia’s Suldusk, originally the one-women project of vocalist/guitarist Emily Highfield, but now expanded into a full-band lineup including a violinist and three guitarists, plus a bass player and drummer.Continue reading →


CONCERT REVIEW: Machine Head – Fear Factory – Orbit Culture – Gates To Hell Live at The Warfield

Posted on by

Kicking off 2024 with bang, we headed out to the first show of the year at legendary The Warfield! Hometown heroes Machine Head have not played the city in a few years, and joining them on this epic tour was Fear Factory who missed last year’s show in the city with Static-X. Joining them on this joint are current buzz band Orbit Culture who just got signed to Century Media Records, and Gates To Hell from Louisville opening This is a very strong bill top to bottom especially with two of the most dominant and enduring names in Metal from the nineties still at the top!Continue reading →


Arch Enemy Parts Ways with Longtime Guitarist Jeff Loomis, Joey Conception (Jasta, Armageddon, The Absence)

Posted on by

Arch Enemy founding guitarist and leader Michael Amott has announced tat Jeff Loomis is no longer a member of the long-running Melodic Death Metal band. The split is apparently amicalble, has been coming for a while and the band has announced a replacement. American shredder Joey Conception (Jasta, Armageddon, The Abscence) will step in. Joe has filled in before with the band. Amott has commented:Continue reading →


ALBUM REVIEW: Astralborne – Across The Aeons

Posted on by

 

Being based in the US, you’d probably expect a relatively new band like Astralborne, formed in 2018, to adopt more popular current musical traits in order to attract attention. However, instead of going for standard metalcore vocal trappings or deathcore breakdowns in drop Z, the enterprising Ohioans keep clean singing and Djent at the door, owing far more to the likes of European melodeath acts such as Arch Enemy, (early) In Flames and Amon Amarth.

Continue reading →


EP REVIEW: Beltfed Weapon – Darkened Demise

Posted on by

 

Beltfed Weapon has often felt like a fun but sort of long-running vanity (but nonetheless valid) project for Seattle’s talented Frank Hetzel, many years between quite short releases featuring a who’s who of underground metal players guesting in support of a slightly odd discography. It is strange to me that there aren’t a series of full-lengths after so much time spent between releases, but every shorter thing Frank has released still has moments to enjoy for the casual thrash, death, and (at times) power metal fan.

Continue reading →


EP REVIEW: Omnium Gatherum – Slasher

Posted on by

 

Following on from 2021’s Origin, Finnish melodeath act Omnium Gatherum have gained a sixth member in former Arch Enemy guitarist Nick Cordle and recorded Slasher (Century Media), a thunderous four-track EP which plays directly to the band’s many strengths.

Continue reading →


ALBUM REVIEW: Unearth – The Wretched; The Ruinous

Posted on by

 

Everything is cyclical, isn’t it? These days I read numerous think pieces telling me how Nu-Metal is experiencing a revival. There are even young bands like Tetrarch and Tallah that openly identify themselves as being nu-metal acts. Would’ve never thought that possible ten years ago. No way. But yet here we are, and it seems like we all plan to attend the Coal Chamber show.

Continue reading →


ALBUM REVIEW: Xandria – The Wonders Still Awaiting

Posted on by

 

One thing which the German symphonic metal act Xandria cannot be accused of is staleness. A seemingly constant revolving door of members since day one, there simply isn’t enough time for inertia or sterility. The musical merry-go-round did slow down recently though, as for only the second time the band did actually manage to keep the same line-up for more than one record. However, it all changed once again as guitarist and founder member Marco Heubaum returns not only with an entirely refreshed group of musicians, but a noticeable modification to the band’s sound.

Continue reading →