CRADLE OF FILTHMidnight In The Labyrinth Peaceville (2012)Rating: 3/10 Ah yes, the much maligned Midnight In The Labyrinth. This very talked about album features orchestral versions of some of Cradle Of Filth’s fans’ most loved works (ie the first four albums; 1994’s The Principle Of Evil Made Flesh, 1996 EP V Empire, 1996’s Dusk… And […]
TYKETTODig In Deep Frontiers (2012)Rating: 9/10 When you consider how many cool bands were around in the late 80s and early 90s, it’s no wonder so many of them never actually made the big time. New York City’s Tyketto were just one of a cauldron full that were far more talented and far more original […]
IN MOURNINGThe Weight Of Oceans Spinefarm (2012)Rating: 8/10 Every now and then you come across bands who spark your interest in a special way. Their debut may have its obvious flaws, their sophomore effort likewise, but you can still sense that they have the intangibles to put forth a killer album. To be blunt, I’m […]
DRAGONFORCE – Holding On Anthony Morgan April 2012 DragonForce (l-r): Herman Li, Frédéric Leclercq, Marc Hudson, Vadim Pruzhanov, Dave Mackintosh and Sam Totman The departure of frontman ZP Theart from United Kingdom-based power metallers DragonForce was confirmed in early March 2010 following an 11-year stint, the man having lent his voice to the albums Valley […]
MUNICIPAL WASTEThe Fatal Feast Nuclear Blast (2012)Rating: 6.5/10 Much has been said of this so-called ‘thrash revival’, but truth be told it never really went away, rather it just lay waiting in the background while other metal fads enjoyed their magazine covers. Municipal Waste were one of the first bands of the ‘new wave of […]
MUNICIPAL WASTE – Monster With Four Faces Anthony Morgan April 2012 Municipal Waste (l-r): Tony Foresta, Philip Hall, Dave Witte and Ryan Waste It was publicly announced on June 16th, 2011 that Richmond, Virginia-based thrashers Municipal Waste had inked an album contract with Nuclear Blast Records. Inaugural outing proper Waste ’Em All arrived in January […]
EXUMER – Waking The Fire Anthony Morgan April 2012 Exumer (l-r): Tony Schiavo, Matthias Kassner, Ray Mensh, H.K. and Mem von Stein Thrash metal outfit Exumer formed in 1985, Tartaros being where the group can trace its roots. Founding members consisted of vocalist Mem von Stein as well as guitarist Ray Mensh. Hawaiian native Paul […]
MURDER BAYNever Was An Angel Eönian (2012)Rating: 8/10 I doubt that anyone will remember San Francisco’s Murder Bay from back in the day; a time when metal was all hair, pomp, lipstick and leather. But for those who do, and were fortunate to have been in the eye of the storm, Murder Bay were one […]
TAPROOT – The Everlasting Anthony Morgan April 2012 Taproot (l-r): Mike DeWolf, Phil Lipscomb, Stephen Richards and Nick Fredell Ann Arbor, Michigan-based outfit Taproot penned the compositions for April 2011 opus The Episodes – their sixth studio full-length overall – in the middle of writing September 2008’s Our Long Road Home (studio album four). Taking […]
ACCEPTStalingrad Nuclear Blast (2012)Rating: 9/10 In 2010, German metal gods Accept made a huge comeback after a 14 year recording hiatus with one their best hard rock releases ever. Fortunately for metal fans we did not have to wait another 14 years for this follow-up album entitled Stalingrad. It would seem that 13 is Wolf […]
