ALBUM REVIEW: BRAT – Social Grace


Where to start with BRAT? The potential is on the wall as I don’t recall too many bands that get to release their debut LP – Social Grace, by the way – via Prosthetic Records. And bear in mind that this is an outfit that formed right before the golden days of the Coronavirus pandemic so it’s not like they’ve been toiling away in the dark for the better part of a decade. So, therefore, these kids must have the goods. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Mastiff – Deprecipice


The multilayered masterpiece that is Deprecipice (MNRK Heavy) is lightyears away from anything else that has graced the brutal metallic sludge/Hardcore/Death Metal scene for quite some time. Leave it up to Mastiff to be the ones leading the charge. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Prisoner – Putrid – Obsolete


Technological horror, the literal or metaphorical collision of organic life with machines, from JG Ballard to David Cronenburg to Akira, there’s something so compelling (and often terrifying) about the welding of machine and flesh. The jaws of the thresher know no remorse, while the body is destined to suffer in its grip. Such thoughts occur listening to Putrid / Obsolete (Persistent Vision Records), the latest record from Richmond, Virginia’s extreme-metal unit Prisoner. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Lustmord – Much Unseen Is Also Here


Lustmord is the pseudonym of Brian Williams, now more than four decades into his music career and with myriad releases under his belt, including many soundtracks and collaborations, as well as a plethora of “ordinary” albums.Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Kill The Lights – Death Melodies


It’s hard to believe that it’s almost been a decade since Michael “Moose” Thomas left metal big-hitters Bullet For My Valentine citing It just got boring”.

The drummer then went on to show his true potential with former members of Still Remains and Threat Signal, with the debut album of his new project Kill The Lights. Almost four years on from their last release From Ashes, and now the supergroup are back with their latest release, Death Melodies (Fearless Records). Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Sonata Arctica – Clear Cold Beyond


Finland is reported to be one of the happiest countries in the world. Even though it can produce some fantastically grim Metal acts, this Nordic nation has some jubilant bands as well. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Midnight – Hellish Expectations


The ever-belligerent Cleveland-based one-man unit Midnight returns with a prolific sixth full-length entitled Hellish Expectations, out via Metal Blade Records. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Judas Priest – Invincible Shield


While the philosophy of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” might work for some bands, UK metal gods Judas Priest are clearly not counted among them. Rarely repeating themselves from record to record, Priest have always preferred creativity over repetition, unafraid to take risks even when some level of criticism inevitably follows.

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ALBUM REVIEW: Exhorder – Defectum Omnium


After returning from hiatus with the rather good comeback album Mourn The Southern Skies in 2019, New Orleans Thrash Metal legends Exhorder are at it again with new album Defectum Omnium (Nuclear Blast Records) – thankfully not making us wait another twenty-seven years. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Skeletal Remains – Fragments of the Ageless


On paper, Skeletal Remains should be on top of the mountain for many a Death Metal connoisseur. All the parts are here, really: plenty of double-kick drums, blast beats and screaming lead guitars to go around.

They’re even from California, and we all know how much of a gold mine the West Coast has been for extreme metal in the last four decades.Continue reading