GUNFIREAge Of Supremacy Jolly Roger (2014)Rating: 7.5/10 Here’s another rollicking heavy metal act very much back from the grave. Italy’s Gunfire first began their quest for the metal throne back in the early 80s, but only got round to issuing a demo and a self-titled EP in 1984 before disbanding in 1986. In 2002 the […]

SKYSCRAPERElevation Ghost Dancer Music (2014)Rating: 5.5/10 Elevation is the debut release from London-based Skyscraper, who feature the talents of vocalist Lee Small (Shy), guitarist Tor Talle (Overland, Fergie Frederiksen, Northern Light, Joe Lynn Turner) and bassist Dave Boyce (Quireboys, Airrace). The album also features guest musicians Imre Duan (drums; Salute) and Bruce Gaitsch (acoustic guitar); […]

IN FLAMESSiren Charms Epic (2014)Rating: 9/10 In Flames are widely acclaimed for being at the forefront of the 90s metal movement. They are counted among the innovators of the “Gothenburg sound”. They have survived a stylistic change that began with 2002’s Reroute To Remain, and that would have been suicide for a lesser band. The […]

SEPTYCAL GORGEScourge Of The Formless Breed Self-released (2014)Rating: 7/10 2009 saw the last studio offering from Italian extreme metallers Septycal Gorge; it was Erase The Insignificant, an album that – if you ask me – pretty much paled into insignificance all too quickly. Having said that, the 2006 debut Growing Seeds Of Decay didn’t quite […]

ALBEZ DUZThe Coming Of Mictlan Iron Bonehead (2014)Rating: 8/10 The Coming Of Mictlan is the second effort from Berlin doomsters Albez Duz, the debut self-titled opus emerging back in 2009. So, it’s certainly been a while. This album offers seven prime cuts of darkly ambient metal, which is rich in the gothic stakes and tinged […]

THE SABBATHIANRitual Rites EP Svart (2014)Rating: 7/10 With its typically occult cover art, Ritual Rites comes crawling out of the woods like some rain-sodden witch eager to bang on your door and steal your children. The Sabbathian is the brainchild of Hour Of 13’s Chad Davis, who it would seem has become tainted by the […]

GRAND DESIGNThrill Of The Night AOR Heaven (2014)Rating: 8/10 With former Zello vocalist Pelle Saether at the helm, Swedish melodic rockers Grand Design unleash their third opus upon our expectant souls. For the follow-up to 2011’s Idolizer Saether is joined by Dennis Vestman (Steel Attack) and Janne Stark (Overdrive, Constancia, Locomotive Breath) on guitars, Mats […]

BLOODSOAKEDReligious Apocalypse Comatose Music (2014)Rating: 7/10 North Carolina-based death metal merchants Bloodsoaked have returned with their first release since 2011. A lot of things can change in three years, but founding member and sole survivor Peter Hasselbrack is still content to plough on with his unrelenting brand of American death metal by way of this […]

DAVID A. SAYLORStrength Of One AOR Blvd (2014)Rating: 8/10 Wild Rose frontman David A. Saylor continues the heartwarming trend of releasing a sophomore effort of rich, soulful and above all melodic rockers that are easy on the ears. Strength Of One comes two years after 2012’s City Of Angels but once again it’s a case […]