Amaranthe

Erdling – Mana Review

Erdling – Mana Review

“If you’re like me, then your experience with German industrial metal largely revolves around Rammstein, the fun, if not inconsistent, institution that still somehow sells out arenas worldwide with their patented brand of simple riffs, simpler grooves, and deep-voiced German monotone “singing.” If you’re also like me, then listening to Rammstein became a lot less appealing when allegations surrounding frontman Til Lindemann arose, tainting my ability to enjoy the band. Thankfully, Germany is nothing if not efficient, and for every aging industrial Goliath there’s a newer, sleeker unit revving up on the assembly line. Erdling is one such machine, and they’ve been honing their brand of Neue Deutsche Härte since 2014.” Teutonic terrors.

Eluveitie – Ànv Review

Eluveitie – Ànv Review

“Unlike a certain Angry Metal Overlord, I really liked Origins. Up to 2014, I had only a dim awareness of Eluveitie, save that they were a Swiss group that did not believe in keyboards. Origins was my gateway into folk metal, an album I found exciting and refreshing, and Eluveitie’s live show in support of it is still one of my top concert experiences. For over twenty years, Eluveitie has been a force in folk metal. Armed with many instruments and a metal core, they are now on their ninth full-length album, Ànv. What have these giants of the genre cooked up for us this time?” Folk in a hard place.

Ad Infinitum – Abyss Review

Ad Infinitum – Abyss Review

Women vocalists in metal are often labeled “Gothic” or categorized under power metal, even when the music lacks these traits. With its fourth full-length, Abyss, Ad Infinitum defies these labels. Moving away from their earlier symphonic and Gothic influences, the Swiss/German band now blends elements of Deadlock, Spiritbox, and Amaranthe. Their sound combines downtuned riffs with poppy female vocals and vicious growls, fitting the “modern metal” label. With Melissa Bonny leading, it’s hard not to bob your head along.

Soulbound – obsYdian Review

Soulbound – obsYdian Review

“Long time readers understand that I like damn near any kind of metal. If it’s got heavily distorted guitars and big, bloodied hooks, I’m on board. My eclecticism inside the metalverse affords me a rare kind of versatility when it comes to review duties, too. Anything that falls into my lap has a chance to get a proper sponge bath. However, sometimes a band does a bunch of stuff that I normally enjoy and yet, my enthusiasm falters. Most of the time, that’s a simple conflict. I just don’t like the songs, even if I like the format. That, dear readers, is precisely the case for German “wedon’tgiveafuckmetal”outfit Soulbound and their fourth LP, obsYdian.” Soul killers.

Red Cain – Näe’bliss Review

Red Cain – Näe’bliss Review

“2021 is one of those years that should have an asterisk attached for one reason or another, not the least of which is that our dear Kronos went and reviewed power metal favorably. Yes, it was Red Cain’s 2021 effort Kindred: Act II that solidified his inner weenie]—power metal of the most synth-entangled and anthemic variety.” Power to the people!

Angus McSix – Angus McSix and the Sword of Power Review

Angus McSix – Angus McSix and the Sword of Power Review

“Hello, reader—can I call you reader? Let’s be honest with each other. You know exactly what to expect here. You know what kind of music this is; you know what this review is going to say; you do not need to skip to the end to know what score is coming. Even if you don’t know that the former vocalist for Gloryhammer Thomas Winkler has, since his dramatic departure from the group, started up anew with a Europe-spanning band called Angus McSix, even if you didn’t know that Gloryhammer and Winkler are well-known for their cheesy, over-the-top tales of fantasy, even if you haven’t glanced down and noticed that the preview song on Bandcamp for Angus McSix and the Sword of Power is called “Laser-Shooting Dinosaur,” you know.” Six appeal.

Elyose – Déviante Review

Elyose – Déviante Review

“Why do we find ourselves in the midst of a nu renaissance where bands like The Offering throw down like it’s ’03 and genres like slam can shamelessly quote groove under the guise of gore? Well, it seems that some also grew up to incorporate their first loves into their art. Elyose, an act of that breed, urges you to embrace your inner jumpdafuckup with a French language tour-de-force of alt-rock meets gothy vibes with nu and industrial accouterments on Déviante.” What’s olde is nu.

Graveshadow – The Uncertain Hour Review

Graveshadow – The Uncertain Hour Review

The Uncertain Hour, over the course of fifty minutes or so, launches the listener through a galloping field of riffs, leads, and triumphant melodies in one of the better samples of symphonic power metal I’ve heard lately. Upbeat, catchy, and well-written, it has all of the makings of a grower, and talent to match.” Death is certain, good reviews are not.

Volturian – Red Dragon Review

Volturian – Red Dragon Review

“It blows my mind that only two years passed since the last Volturian album, which I gave a positive review. I stand by that rating, too. Crimson stands firm as a pleasant and fun, poppy and sweet, goth-tinged experience. Big choruses, a fair share of decent riffs, and crunchy downtuned tones which I’ve always loved in this format formed a dance-able volume that is extremely difficult to put down, even today. The pandemic, which hit just before Crimson dropped, stretched time to the point that now, it feels like I wrote that review all the way back in 2018 rather than 2020. Nonetheless, it’s 2022, and sophomore album Red Dragon prepares to swoop down and incinerate my credibility as a metal critic of taste once again.” DraGONES!