Annihilator

Bergfried – Romantik III Review

By Grin Reaper on November 5, 2025 in Reviews, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, 15 comments

“After dropping debut EP Romantik I in 2022 and follow-up Romantic II in 2023, Austrian-Hungarian duo Bergfried rides in on a wave of 80s nostalgia to deliver debut full-length Romantik III. At the conclusion of a trilogy, main character Anna tirelessly roams hell in pursuit of her lost lover. During the search, Anna clashes with God and Devil in her quest for love reunited. Bergfried and the Romantik series are the creations of Erech von Lothringen, guitarist on Romantik III and mastermind of Narzissus and Ancient Mastery, among others. While his other projects lean toward black metal, Bergfried forges something entirely different—a rock opera.” Berger time.

Anthony Ellis: Ashes of Reason – Crisis Catalyst Review

By Grin Reaper on August 5, 2025 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, 12 comments

“In an age where technology is abundant and affordable, it’s never been easier for someone with a ditty and a dream to make their music a reality. Enter Ashes of Reason, the brainchild of one-man band Anthony Ellis, and his third full-length, Crisis Catalyst. Shouldering the responsibility to write, record, and produce your own album is painstakingly ambitious and requires deep wells of both grit and gumption. Calling the shots means you get to deliver your 100% pure, undiluted vision into the hungry earholes of curious listeners.” One-man crisis.

Evildead – Toxic Grace Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on May 21, 2024 in Reviews, Thrash Metal, 70 comments

Though Evildead has existed since the late ’80s, most people recognize them by founding member and guitarist, Juan Garcia. After leaving Agent Steel in 1987 (and before his return in 1998), Garcia conceived a thrash outfit in Evildead. Though, many have asked, “why?” Dead by…dawn?

Onward – Of Epoch and Inferno Review

By Steel Druhm on October 28, 2022 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, 26 comments

“Way back in 2001 a very interesting but under-noticed album was released by the Montana-based act Onward. Evermoving was their debut and it was a highly polished platter of classic American power and traditional metal borrowing heavily from the likes of Mercyful Fate, Iron Maiden and Sanctuary/ Nevermore. It was a rousing, blood-pumping ride filled to the brim with stunning, neo-classical guitar work by Toby Knapp. The songs were hyper-hooky with playing that was off-the-hook impressive. Evermoving became a much-beloved album and their 2002 followup Reawaken was nearly as good. Then they took a lengthy layoff.” Onward and…upward?

Archangel A.D. – Casus Belli Review

By GardensTale on July 26, 2021 in Reviews, Thrash Metal, 14 comments

“Archangel A.D. play thrash about as retro as it gets. But even retro thrash has its particular flavors, in this case an even split mixture between Metallica and Annihilator. Aside from the opener, which might as well have been called “King of Spades” for as close as it hews to Motörhead’s classic. Nevertheless, there’s a more than satisfying amount of hooky riffs on Casus Belli, as well as a surprising amount of variety.” Belli of the beast.

Them – Return to Hemmersmoor [Things You Might Have Missed 2020]

By Dr. A.N. Grier on December 18, 2020 in Things You Might Have Missed 2020, Heavy Metal, 24 comments

“I can’t believe we never received the promo for Them’s Return to Hemmersmoor. I mean, seriously, I’m their biggest fan! Even when their first album fell into the hands of an anti-Diamonder, I still hailed the shit out of it. This October, I even asked my kids if they wanted to watch Tim Burton’s Sweet Hollow. That’s how much the band is on my mind.” Themsmoor.

Wreck-Defy – Powers That Be Review

By Steel Druhm on October 13, 2020 in Reviews, Thrash Metal, 41 comments

“Sometimes quality material can slip through the cracks in a busy month and fall into oblivion. Wreck-Defy’s third album Powers That Be almost suffered that ignoble fate. This Canadian super group has flown under my radar up to now despite featuring Greg Christian (ex-Testament), Aaron Randall (ex-Annihilator) and Alex Marquez (ex-Malevolent Creation) in its ranks. Having overlooked the promo entirely, I only circled back to it because I had some extra time on my hands and decided to cram in another review. Lucky I was too, as Powers is one of the most entertaining thrash albums I’ve heard this year.” Wrecking crew.

Operus – Score of Nightmares Review

By Emya on June 18, 2020 in Reviews, Symphonic Metal, 34 comments

“What do you get when you cross a cellist who has performed on stage alongside the Trans-Siberian Orchestra with the bassist of thrash metal band Annihilator? Theatrical power metal would not be my first guess.” Stage and scream.

Killitorous – The Afterparty Review

By Kenstrosity on May 20, 2020 in Reviews, Technical Death Metal, 33 comments

“Yep. That’s a band name. Killitorous. Say it a couple times and soon you’ll see what they did there. Tasteful, right? I’ll be honest, it took me way too long to find it (ayyyy), but by that point I was already four listens into the Canadian supergroup’s sophomore record The Afterparty and was having too much fun to care about the silly double-entendre anymore. After all, we did give high marks to bands with such respectable names as Fvneral Fvkk and Shitfucker, right? So who am I to judge?” Tech-deathicus for the rest of us.

Malokarpatan – Krupinské ohne Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on March 25, 2020 in 2020, Black Metal, Folk Metal, Heavy Metal, Invictus Productions, Reviews, Slovak Metal, Black Metal, Folk Metal, Heavy Metal, 40 comments

“No matter who you are or where you live, everyone is being asked to stay home from a job that they may not get to come back to. Or… living it up with their family in a mansion whose walls sport the fashionable 2020 Vintage Toilet Tissue Wallpaper. Then there’re others of us that push on like nothing is happening. Regardless of your dilemma, this shit has come out of nowhere and I-just-went-in-for-eggs-and-left-after-four-hours-because-only-ten-people-were-allowed-into-the-store-at-one-time is a thing. Everyone’s upset and no one knows what’s gonna happen next. Funny enough, that’s the perfect attitude to have for Malokarpatan’s newest masterpiece, Krupinské ohne.”