Review: TOMBS – ‘Monarchy Of Shadows’ [Tracks Streaming]

New York experimental black metal band Tombs grabbed my attention two years ago when I got their sophomore album ‘Path Of Totality’ in a Relapse Records blind bag deal. Tombs formed in 2007 with founding member and frontman Mike Hill. My expectations are high for ‘Monarchy Of Shadows’ as it follows their great 2017 record ‘The Grand Annihilation.’ On top of their last record they have the weight of ‘Path Of Totality’ on their shoulders, which won Decibel Magazine’s 2011 Album of the Year award. Consisting of Mike Hill, Justin Spaeth, Drew Murphy, and Matt Medieiros, Tombs rip their way into a new decade with some of their best songs in their entire discography on this EP ‘Monarchy Of Shadows’ which releases on February 28, 2020 via Seasons Of The Mist. Continue reading

WEEDEATER Announce U.S. Headlining Tour With ASG & TOKE!

Weedeater was formed by front-man/bassist “Dixie” Dave Collins also formerly of Buzzoven. Following the release of their 2001 debut ‘…And Justice For Y’All’, Weedeater immediately established themselves as a force in the U.S. tour circuit and quickly gained notoriety in the American metal scene. In the time since, the band have released three critically-acclaimed albums: ‘Sixteen Tons’ (2002), ‘God Luck And Good Speed’ (2007), and ‘Jason… The Dragon’ (2011), and toured around the world with the likes of Down, Saint Vitus, High On Fire, The Melvins, Hank III, and more. The band has played prestigious festivals such as Maryland Deathfest, Hopscotch Festival, Stoned From The Underground, Asymmetry Festival, Roadburn Festival, Hellfest, and many more. Weedeater has sludged their way up the ranks from a underground band with a cult following to one of metal’s most sought after bands to see live. Frontman “Dixie” Dave is an all around entertainer when on stage with his puzzling looks and gravely pitch, combine that with the guitar shredding genius of  Dave “Shep” Shepherd and your night is bound to be a memory you won’t soon forget.  Continue reading

Review: INSANITY ALERT – ‘666-Pack’ [Official Video + Tracks Streaming]

Austrian crossover thrashers Insanity Alert will release their new full-length, ‘666-Pack’, on January 25th via Season Of Mist. “Forged in Innsbruck in 2011 and influenced by the likes of S.O.D., D.R.I., Suicidal Tendencies, Nuclear Assault, Bones Brigade, Municipal Waste, and Toxic Holocaust, Insanity Alert are the kind of people who know what to bring to a party: a big dose of humor with a dash of darkness, party tunes, and a six pack. It’s these ingredients that make up the basis of the band’s third full-length. A relentless, twenty-one-track ripper, ‘666-Pack’ brings the classic spirit of speed metal’s salad days back with savage metal precision. Ultra-catchy riffs, vicious vocals, and empowering gang vocals are packed into short, sharp rapid-fire attacks delivering everything great about thrash in spades.” ‘666-Pack’ was produced and mixed by Toni Meloni Loitsch (Die Toten Hosen, Silbermond, H-Blockx) at Nautilus Sounds Studio, mastered by Dan Randall (Municipal Waste, Toxic Holocaust, Ghoul, Cannabis Corpse) at Mammoth Sound Mastering and comes wrapped in the gruesome cover creation of Mark Riddick (Rotting Christ, Horrendous, Revocation, etc.). Continue reading

Review: Detoxed ‘Modern Slavery’ [Song Stream]

Detoxed first formed in Montpellier, France in 2009. The band’s first release was their EP ‘It Was Written In Blood’ which released in 2011. Detoxed has a thrash sound with elements of melodic speed metal also in the mix. You can hear a lot of influence from In Flames in their music. ‘It Was Written In Blood’ really established the band’s style and sound. The band was off to a great start. The EP, from a listener’s perspective, was a complete hit. All they had to do now was continue to make music in their already successful style. Then the unthinkable happened. The band’s lineup was forced to change as singer Laurent “Styx” Py exits the band. Most people can attest that more often than not the hardest member of a band to replace is the singer. There are guitarists, drummers and bassists that massively contribute to complete a band’s sound, but no two singers can be identical. Regardless who stepped up to the mic Detoxed and their music would be forced to change in some way. Fortunately the band didn’t have to look very far. Guitarist David Fantoni is now pulling double duty playing both guitar as well as singing. Detoxed recently released the album ‘Modern Slavery’ on October 16th via Send The Wood Music (Distributed by Seasons Of The Mist) which showcases David Fantoni as the new voice of the band. All the other parts of the band remain intact and now the only question is if the band will rise or fall with their new voice. Those questions and more are now answered after consuming every second of their new album ‘Modern Slavery’. Continue reading

Review: Wildlights Self Titled Album [Now Streaming]

Jason Shi & Johnny Collins

Jason Shi & Johnny Collins

Over the past several years we have seen the formation of super groups more often. Artists coming together creating an all star team of sorts and releasing material. Now we have a super duo. Jason Shi comes to us from the North Carolina based rock band ASG. They last released “Blood Drive” in 2013. We have been fortunate enough to catch ASG live on two occasions. Jason who also plays guitar has a clean singing voice that sounds just as pitch perfect in person as it does on the recordings. He brings to the table an amazing array of vocal tones that helps build a truly inspiring sound. The other all star in the duo is Johnny Collins from Thunderlip who also hails from the Tarheel State. They recently released Sunday Driving in January of this year (2015). The band has more of speed punk vibe, but has other elements that draws interest from outside the genre. Johnny’s drumming in the band is a staple of their sound and what really gives them that fast paced vibrant sound.

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