EVOCATION Release Covers EP ‘Excised And Anatomised’ August 19th, 2013 Swedish death metal group Evocation issued covers EP Excised And Anatomised on August 19th, 2013 in Europe through Century Media Records in digital and vinyl format. The label also scheduled a digital only North American release for September 3rd. The outing was recorded at the […]

SHOTGUN RODEOGuilty As Charged EP Self-released (2013)Rating: 6/10 I’m not going to lie, but when I first heard the band name I was expecting some type of revival sleaze / hair metal band, but was certainly confused by the amateurish cover artwork which reminded me of some obscure, low-budget 80s thrash act. Norway’s Shotgun Rodeo […]

ROBIN BECKUnderneath HMMR / Cargo (2013)Rating: 7.5/10 It’s been two years since Robin Beck’s 2011 The Great Escape opus, but Underneath is another dose of lightweight rock that features that customary pop-tinged melody and Beck’s subtle, yet powerful voice. The album opens with the crystal clear croons of ‘Wrecking Ball’ – a classy piece of […]

NORMA JEANWrongdoers Razor & Tie (2013)Rating: 9/10 Metalcore is all grown up. Not so long ago it was a new branch on the heavy metal family tree, and everyone was blown away by it. But I would have told you my faith in metalcore was dying, until I heard Norma Jean’s latest offering, Wrongdoers. If […]

THE DEFILEDDaggers Nuclear Blast (2013)Rating: 7/10 London-based The Defiled have arrived with their second full-length album, Daggers. The band have gained a lot of attention since they hit the scene in 2008 with their EP 1888 and there is little doubt that Daggers will continue that momentum. Taking their cues from the latest incarnation of […]

MASADAHideous Rot EP Deathgasm (2013)Rating: 5.5/10 Philadelphia’s Masada is one of at least five bands to use this moniker, but with Hideous Rot they should be standing out from the crowd. This five-track mini-opus is the debut offering from this unsavoury bunch of death metallers, which boasts a contribution from the rather unique talents of […]

SINISTER REALMWorld Of Evil Shadow Kingdom (2013)Rating: 5/10 Album number three from Pennsylvanian metallers Sinister Realm, World Of Evil is – as one would expect – a rather middle of the road heavy metal experience that relies on the imagery of dark fantasy and Dio-inspired myth and magic to get its message across. Sadly, it’s […]

SPEEDTRAPPowerdose Svart (2013)Rating: 6/10 Finland’s Speedtrap aren’t exactly the masters of their disguise. As soon as I saw the band name I was thinking that this must be some type of thrash band, or at the very least, a pacey old school metal combo – and I wasn’t wrong. Speedtrap is a volatile quartet who’ve […]

NO DAWNDark Aura WormHoleDeath (2013)Rating: 6.5/10 It’s been three long years since Norway’s No Dawn have put anything out. 2010 saw the release of their Drain To Revive EP, which for the most part was a solid five-tracker that didn’t really break any boundaries. Norway is of course known for its hellish black metal bands, […]

MINISTRYEnjoy The Quiet: Live At Wacken 2012 UDR Music (2013)Rating: 7.5/10 Hot on the trail of Ministry’s final studio album, From Beer To Eternity (2013), comes Enjoy The Quiet. This three-disc set includes Ministry’s 2012 set at the Wacken Open Air Festival as well as a separate disc containing their set at the festival from […]