ALL THAT REMAINS – Not Fading Away Anthony Morgan November 2012 All That Remains (l-r): Jason Costa, Jeanne Sagan, Phil Labonte, Mike Martin and Oli Herbert Springfield, Massachusetts-based metalcore outfit All That Remains began authoring material for a sixth studio full-length shortly following an 18-month touring schedule, a touring period which was in support of […]
FRAGMENTS OF UNBECOMINGThe Art Of Coming Apart Cyclone Empire (2012)Rating: 7.5/10 Germany’s Fragments Of Unbecoming have been bubbling under for about a decade now. Initially, like many others, I heard the band when Metal Blade released their sophomore effort Skywards, Chapter II: A Sylphe’s Ascension (2004). Since that time the band have released two other […]
NIGHT DEMONNight Demon EP Self-released (2012)Rating: 4.5/10 Before I hear a lot of this stuff, I often like to try and guess what type of metal it’s going to be. Nine out of ten times I’m usually correct in my assumptions, although I must admit that I like to be proven wrong. With California’s Night […]
ADLER – Back With An Appetite Anthony Morgan November 2012 Adler (l-r): Lonny Paul, Steven Adler, Jacob Bunton and Johnny Martin Adler’s Appetite bandmates Steven Adler (drums, formerly of Guns N’ Roses) and Lonny Paul (guitars) met Lynam vocalist Jacob Bunton through mutual friend Jay Ruston at the Key Club in Los Angeles, California on […]
BLOODY HAMMERSBloody Hammers Soulseller (2012)Rating: 8.5/10 It seems that the 1970s are back in fashion! There’s Ghost and their high levels of spooky gloom strangeness, and now the intriguingly named Bloody Hammers from North Carolina are inviting us to their own black mass. From the ultra-cool, retro artwork to the equally retro sound, Bloody Hammers’ […]
DEFINITIVE STRIKEDefinitive Strike EP Self-released (2012)Rating: 7/10 Definitive Strike is a new hardcore electronic band from West Virginia, leaning heavily towards the aggro tech / industrial genres but also including some elements of dubstep. The band also has a flare for the haunting sounds that dominate the gothic side of the electronic scene. Featuring Dyksick […]
DESTRUCTIONSpiritual Genocide Nuclear Blast (2012)Rating: 9/10 Destruction have always occupied the so-called second tier of thrash metal, a league that existed in the shadow of the “big four” – Anthrax, Megadeth, Slayer and Metallica. But the reality is, Destruction are major league thrash. Alongside other European metal maniacs such as Kreator, Coroner and Sodom, the […]
SOIL – Redefining The Scars Anthony Morgan November 2012 Ryan McCombs It was publicly disclosed on July 5th, 2011 that Chicago, Illinois-based heavy rockers SOiL would be rejoined by original lead vocalist and co-founder Ryan McCombs for their October 2011 United Kingdom co-headlining tour with Puddle Of Mudd. A member from 1997 until 2004, Ryan […]
GRAVE – Flesh Epistle Anthony Morgan November 2012 Grave (l-r): Ronnie Bergerståhl, Ola Lindgren, Mika Lagrén and Tobias Cristiansson Pic: Therese Larsson Swedish death metal veterans Grave parted ways with bassist Fredrik Isaksson, publicly unveiling the development on September 1st, 2010. Fredrik’s swansong performance as a Grave member took place on July 30th of that […]
AEON – Glowing Hatred Anthony Morgan November 2012 Aeon (l-r): Arttu Malkki, Daniel Dlimi (bottom row), Marcus Edvardsson, Zeb Nilsson (bottom row) and Tommy Dahlström Writing sessions for November 2012’s Aeon Black – the fourth full-length by Östersund, Sweden-based death metal outfit Aeon – reflected usual writing sessions, the musical content being mainly authored by […]
