Album Reviews



Review: SIXCIRCLES – ‘New Belief’ [Album Stream]

 

Sixcircles came to light in the blinding heat of August 2017 in Italy. The Dark psychedelic rock group was formed by Sara B. (Messa, Restos Humanos) and Giorgio T. (Haemophagus, Assumption, Elevators to the Grateful Sky, Furious Georgie ). The duo composed, recorded, mixed and mastered its first full-length album in barely three months time. The first record is entitled ‘New Belief’ and it was released on March 1, 2018 by Phonosphera Records.

 

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Review: VELVET VIPER – ‘Respice Finem’

According to German metal band, VELVET VIPER, you don’t leave before wintertime. Fresh off from their spring released by GMR Music Group, ‘Respice Finem’ is the new album from the German metal band, VELVET VIPER. Formed in 1990 by blues vocalist, Jutta Weinhold, VELVET VIPER released two albums, “Velvet Viper” (1991) and “The 4th Quest For Fantasy” (1992), before the band split up in 1993. It’s been 26 years since VELVET VIPER’s last album and come to 2017, when Jutta Weinhold reformed the band with a brand new line-up. With Fabian Ranft plucking the bass, Micha Fromm shredding the guitar, and rounding up the band is Holger Marx keeping the backbeat on drums, VELVET VIPER is as relevant as ever and they’re ready to concur the metal scene once again.

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Review: DEICIDE – ‘Overtures of Blasphemy’ [Video Stream]

Once again, Florida death metal pioneers, Deicide return with a new collection of sonic hatred and brutality. The band’s upcoming LP – and 12th studio album to date – entitled ‘Overtures of Blasphemy’ is scheduled for release September 14th, 2018 via Century Media Records. This time around, they’ve stuck to the “we’re not gonna fix what isn’t broken” approach, as drummer and main songwriter Steve Asheim describes. The music is as brutal and aggressive as their reputation would imply and exactly what fans would expect from these undisputed masters of the genre. There’s no fat left to be trimmed from the concise, 12 tracks of God-bashing tunes that clock in at an average of about three minutes each. ‘Overtures of Blasphemy’ walks the line expertly between melodic and balls-out insanity for a focused and potent death metal record to solidify that Deicide are still the kings and not even Christ himself dares to challenge their throne. Continue reading

Review: THE VINTAGE CARAVAN – ‘Gateways’

 

Classic rock trio The Vintage Caravan caused an earthquake in the heavy music scene with their self-released debut album “The Vintage Caravan” (2011), and their sophomore record “Voyage” (2012; re-released in early 2014). In 2013 the band was officially signed with Nuclear Blast. Also their reputation as a powerful live band soon got around and gave them numerous possibilities to open up for acts such as Blues Pills and Grand Magus.

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Review: CITY OF INDUSTRY – ‘American Habits Are Hard To Break’ [Album Stream]

City Of Industry is a hardcore punk band that was formed in 2017 in Seattle, Washington. The band is a three piece comprised of Jack Thompson on bass, Mauro Contreras on drums and rounding out the band John Suede on guitar and vocals. Though City Of Industry was just formed last year they have wasted no time getting material out to fans. In December of last year they released their debut EP and the band has now released their follow up titled ‘American Habits Are Hard To Break’ on July 27, 2018. ‘American Habits Are Hard To Break’ was recorded and mixed by Jon Lervold at Big Name Studios and mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege. The band notes Coke Bust, Converge, Ceremony, Iron Lung, and Despise You as some of their biggest influences.  Though you can easily hear the bands hardcore and punk styles meld together within their music you can also hear touches of the crust punk genre throughout their songs as well.

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Review: DOPE DEFAULT – ‘Ofrenda’ [Album Stream]

 

 

Formed in late 2012, Dope Default are a stoner/heavy rock’n’roll band from Thessaloniki, Greece, influenced by artists such as Alice in Chains, Queens of the Stone Age, Monster Magnet and Planet of Zeus. While the band has an array of influences ranging from grunge to stoner rock their wheel house seems to be centered around hard rock. They do include elements of stoner rock within their music, but unlike most grunge they truly showcase riffs and solos throughout their music. They released their debut EP, ‘Nuclear Honeymoon’, in 2015, to favorable reviews by fans and press alike. Like most modern era bands Dope Default has solidered through several lineup changes, and have continued on with their passion to create music for fans around the world. They released their sophomore EP, ‘Tales From the Wasteland’, in 2017 and have now released their debut full length ‘Ofrenda’. The album released March 3rd, 2018 and was recorded at Ypoga Studios in Thessaloniki, Greece. The band has toured extensively, which has not only made their stage presence more superior but also better prepared them for the studio and releasing what is likely their best release yet.

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Review: BLACK COFFEE – ‘Take One’ [Official Video]

 

Does anyone here miss the way classic rock sounds? There is a new wave of young artists in Rock and Roll today keeping the traditions of classic artists alive, such as Greta Van Fleet, Joyous Wolf, etc. Notably, Columbus, Ohio rockers Black Coffee burst on to the scene in April 2017 with no signs of slowing down. The Ohio young bloods released, ‘Take One,’ as an independent release this past April and with one listen all the way through it’s clear that the chemistry and musicianship displayed by these guys is unlike a lot of up and coming artists in today’s day and age. Continue reading

Review: POWERWOLF – ‘The Sacrament Of Sin’ [Official Music Videos]

Who is ready for the most awesome and badass band hailing from German grounds? Powerwolf is back to release another beauty and this time it is called ‘The Sacrament Of Sin’ and I can assure you that it is as cool as it sounds. It contains all the best aspects Powerwolf has to offer and more. It is truly amazing and I can’t wait to share it with you guys. Get in!

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Review: DEE SNIDER – ‘For the Love of Metal’ [Official Videos]

‘For the Love of Metal’ is the highly anticipated solo album from the legendary, Dee Snider. Releasing on July 27, 2018 on Napalm Records, This is his latest record after 2016’s ‘We Are the Ones’. Snider is most well known for being the vocalist for the iconic metal band, Twisted Sister and host and radio personality of the very popular show, The House of Hair. This new album is what we needed; gut busting, new music from one of the great voices in metal. The direction of the album is very forward and goes back to the classic sounds of 80’s metal. This whole album is filled with killer riffs and hard hitting deafening percussion. I was so excited to hear that he was coming out with some new material. My mind was overwhelmed when I first clicked play and it remained that way throughout the whole album. Continue reading

Review: CATATONIC PROFANATION – ‘Rancid Vexations’ [Full Album Stream]

Anthony is back yet again and this time with another release from his project called ”Catatonic Profanation”. It is fast, brutal and something we have never heard of him. Get right in!

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