ALBUM REVIEW: TesseracT – War of Being


 

Ever since their inception in 2003, TesseracT have marked themselves out as being ahead of the curve in the progressive metal scene, actively adapting and evolving for each new chapter. With the band headlining Arctangent in 2022 and about to embark on another giant world tour, what could be next for the band?

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ALBUM REVIEW: Sylosis – A Sign Of Things To Come


 

It doesn’t feel as if it’s been three years since Sylosis returned to our ears with Cycle Of Suffering, an incredible feat of metal prowess where Sylosis showed they weren’t going anywhere. Now, with frontman, Josh Middleton stepping down from big-hitters Architects earlier in the year, all of his attention was able to be focused on creating the follow-up to their last bout of heaviness.

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ALBUM REVIEW: Creak – Depth Perception


Depth Perception is the debut full-length album from recent Prosthetic Records signees Creak, a heavy new metallic Hardcore band hailing from Newcastle UK.

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ALBUM REVIEW: Periphery – Periphery V: Djent Is Not A Genre


 

Thirteen years since the release of their debut self-titled album, Periphery have made a name for themselves as one of the leading forces in the progressive metal world. Utilising a vast array of influences and genres into their own sound to create something unique with each release.Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Entheos – Time Will Take Us All


 

It seems to be an increasingly common event in today’s turbulent music scene that bands see departures in their ranks; whether this subsequently derails the band completely or becomes a benefit. For Entheos, it is firmly a case of the latter. Stripping to a two-piece consisting of vocalist Chaney Crabb and multi-instrumentalist Navene Koperweis, the pair have been able to write with less compromise and more focus on their own vision. The result of which, Time Will Take Us All (Metal Blade), certainly feels like fine-tuned creative pairing is a strong step up.

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CONCERT REVIEW: Jinjer – P.O.D. – Vended – Space of Variations Live at Saint Andrew’s Hall


 

Saint Andrew’s Hall is one of the most treasured music venues in Detroit. It once was home to The St. Andrew’s Society which has been around since 1849. Like most of the buildings in Motor City’s downtown, there is a rich and interesting history that goes along with it. These repurposed places carry a rare kind of magic which feeds directly into the pleasant experience attendees have at Saint Andrew’s. It was the perfect spot for one of Modern Metal’s hottest bands to bring their headlining 2022 USA tour last weekend. Jinjer came to town, and they came ready to show off.

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ALBUM REVIEW: The Ever Living – Artificial Devices


The contradictions of crafting an album using the very technologies and processes the band had previously railed against are but one small element of the complicated and interesting layers that make up Artificial Devices, the self-released second full-length composition of London duo Andrei Alan (guitars/bass/programming) and Chris Bevan Lee (keys/vocals/programming) collectively known as The Ever Living (I promised myself no Mumm-ra comments, but here I am in the intro… I can’t help it, every time I see the band name…).

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ALBUM REVIEW: Vatican – Ultra


While Georgian five-piece Vatican may name-check Meshuggah and Dillinger Escape Plan, their roots are firmly planted in (the original type of) metalcore, owing as much to Earth Crisis and Vision of Disorder (et al) as the latter-day spearheads of discordant “popular” heavy music. Ultra (UNFD) may be the band’s second full-length overall, however with a focus on the sound and style, and with the smooth integration of new vocalist Mike Sugars, it feels like a milestone moment in the definition of what Vatican is as a band, and who they are as an artist.

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ALBUM REVIEW: Cage Fight – Cage Fight


Cage Fight is the new project from James Monteith, guitar wizard for technical / prog metal outfit TesseracT, and is a very different sound from what he delivers in his day job. Initially featuring Jon Reid on bass and Nick Plews on drums, the three-piece produced a number of instrumental demos before drafting in the extraordinary talents of French vocalist Rachel Aspe, formally of the band Eths, after James had seen a Black Dahlia Murder cover that Rachel had posted online. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Once Human – Scar Weaver


Five years used to feel like a long time in music. Entire scenes have risen, consumed all and fallen away to be a nostalgic footnote (or an ever-lasting sea change) in the same length between Once Human‘s last release and Scar Weaver (earMUSIC), their re-birth of a third album.

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