Category Archives: Album Reviews

Review: Steaksauce Mustache – ‘Eat What We Kill For You’ [Stream]

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Steaksauce Mustache is a band full of personality. Not only within their music, but in all aspects. If you ever have the opportunity to catch a live stream of them just sitting around it is surely to be one of the most obscure and entertaining things you have seen on the web. The Oregon based band described their sound as “chaotic hardcore” and that is very fitting. Don’t think of chaotic in a negative manner, what Steaksauce Mustache create is a uniquely beautiful chaos. The band’s previous release was ‘The Almighty Aardvoctomalark!’ which released in 2014. Just the track listing alone produces some amazing laughs from the band with songs like “Moby Dickface”. Steaksauce Mustache has followed that up with their new record, ‘Eat What We Kill For You’ which released on September 12, 2015. The album was produced and mastered by Evan Kunze. Another thing to note about the band is their eye catching cover art. Sometimes album art is often overlooked, but this is one of those albums that I would have purchased on a whim based solely on the art. The incredibly detailed artwork was created by the band’s vocalist Taylor Bates (New Melody Art Design). Continue reading →

Review: A Breach Of Silence – ‘Secrets’

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Award-winning powercore metal pioneers A BREACH OF SILENCE are back with the release of their third full-length studio album, ‘Secrets’. The Australian band has been making a name for themselves for some time now. Their debut album ‘Dead Or Alive’ was self-released in 2012, but it didn’t take long for labels to take notice. The band’s previous album ‘The Darkest Road’ via Eclipse Records debuted on the iTunes metal chart at #1 in Australia, and at #20 on AIRA’s 100% Independent chart. ‘The Darkest Road’ made several lists for top albums of the year in 2014. The band has taken time to ensure they are putting out a great third release and the anticipation for a follow-up to their last record has been overwhelming. The new album ‘Secrets’ is set to release February 24, 2017 via Eclipse Records. The album was produced by Fredrik Nordstrom (Bring Me the Horizon, Arch Enemy, In Flames) and mixed by Henrik Udd at Studio Fredman. Continue reading →

Review: Chalice Of Suffering – ‘For You I Die’ [Stream]

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Founded in 2015, Chalice of Suffering may be based in Minneapolis, Minnesota but, they also have musicians from Alford, Massachusetts and also Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria. The bands international roots also add to the flavor of the band as well. There are elements within their sound you don’t normally hear within American Funeral Doom. Founder John McGovern not only brings his vocals to the band, but his incredible writing talents. Though the lyrics at times are few and far between they are one of the strongest elements of the bands style. Chalice of Suffering is largely comprised of members of other bands. Both guitarist Will Maravelas and drummer Aaron Lanik are members of the band death metal band We Are Legion, and Plague of Stars. The band has been building momentum prior to their debut album releasing. Recording of ‘For You I Die’ started in early 2015, the album cover was revealed last September, and late April 2016 saw the digital launch and CD releases through Times End (USA) and GSP (Russia), with vinyl and cassette versions to follow. The album was recorded & mastered at: 14:59 Studios Minneapolis, MN, and was recorded and produced by members of the band. Continue reading →

Review Of Tr3ason’s “Infecting The Pure”: One Debut From Hell!

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Tr3ason is:

Tyler Thurston – Vocals/guitar

Kaden Roholt – Bass

Connor Werling – Drums

As promised, we return to our friends in Tr3ason who are dropping their debut album(!), Infecting the Pure in February 2017. Needless to say, I immediately pre-ordered my copy and shirt based on singles “I, Machine” and “Memento Mori” alone. Definitely my kind of music! Originally discovering this destroy-all band when covering Utah in our State of the Art series (Tr3ason), I asked vocalist/guitarist Tyler Thurston for a review copy when they were finished recording it. Nothing lost, nothing gained. Costs nothing to ask, right? While I had his attention as he helped me with the article, he graciously agreed (Thanks brother!). Well, we now have it on hand and are just stunned by the wicked heaviness this thing brings to bear! F*ck me!

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Review of Seven Kingdoms “Decennium”: Some Of The Best European Power Metal Now Comes From Florida

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Seven Kingdoms is:

Sabrina Valentine – Vocals
Camden Cruz – Guitar
Kevin Byrd – Guitar
Keith Byrd – Drums
Aaron Sluss – Bass

Fans of European style Power Metal have a lot to look forward at the end of the month; especially for those that, like me, love female fronted Metal of any type! There is just something about the timber of the female voice that runs straight through me, especially when they as good as the mighty pipes of lovely little Ms. Sabrina Valentine Cruz (not meant to be cute, she is really tiny!). I have listened to Seven Kingdoms for some time now and recently covered their killer show at The Haven in Winter Park, FL (Show Review). Simply stunning! Not only are they album perfect live, but bring such a fun and energetic persona to the stage. The furious and adroit abilities of guitarists Camden Cruz and Kevin Byrd effortlessly flow at ridiculous speeds while the rhythms and shared leads of Aaron Sluss’ bass lines are driven by the bedrock foundation of Keith Byrd’s blasting drums. Not to fault any of these killer players, Sabrina’s vocals are what hooked me a couple of years ago after first hearing The Fire Is Mine from 2012. Her voice emotes beautifully with such sparkling power and purity. Truly the voice of an angel and helps make Seven Kingdoms a damned addiction.

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Australian Thrashers Alkira: “Klotho” Review and Stream

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Alkira is:


Gregory Challis – Lead guitar/Vocals
Kyle Simpson – Rhythm guitar
Sean Grubel – Bass guitar
Ryan Quarrington – Drums


Artwork by: Aaron Schirmer

There are tons of really good, notable Metal bands that have originated down-under in Australia like Parkway Drive, Destroyer 666, AC/DC, Psycroptic, Mortal Sin, Airbourne, Karnivool, Wolfmother and many others over the years. With a wide variety of styles and sounds, there has apparently never been a shortage of pit worthy music to choose from. With a soul of technical Thrash and Punk, you can now add Alkira to that lauded list…

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Review: TRITA – S/T EP [STREAM]

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Minneapolis, Minnesota prog rockers TRITA have recently released a brand new self-titled EP. The three piece band claims they have ripped out elements of various bands who have inspired them and piece them together cohesively into their own signature sound. The band also recently embarked on a 2 week national tour in support of the recent EP. The EP was recorded by Adam Tucker (Bastard Saint, Hate Beast, Ambassador Gun) at Signature Tone Recording in Minneapolis. This 3 track EP is short, but sweet, and just makes the anticipation for an LP even greater. Continue reading →

Review: Lowercase Gods – When The Serpent Sings [Stream]

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Lowercase Gods hail from Columbia, South Carolina and was formed in 2010. The band has their footing in the old school metal world, but it’s new age technology that we should praise for the bands formation. Guitarist/songwriter John Huiett was based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, bassist Scott Kimmell and drummer Markus Unum based out of South Carolina. Distance wasn’t about to stop this band however. The band made many trips back and forth and then in 2012 found their powerful voice in singer Web Hulon. With his voice leading the charge Lowercase Gods was destined to bring old school metal back to its rightful place in the music world. Lowercase Gods debut album, ‘Pull the Trigger’, was released in September 2013 to international praise. The spring of 2016 saw the band re-enter the Jam Room with Matheson to record seven additional songs. In September OF 2016, Lowercase Gods released their second full-length album, ‘When The Serpent Sings’. The vocalist commented on the album saying “I see the album like the muscle cars that they’re making now,” Hulon says. “They’re based on the classic models, with familiar styling and lots of power, but with updated features and new technology and engineering. And you can’t help but to want to take it for a spin.” He is dead on, this album is like a muscle car made of 100% American made steel with the octane to take you on a fast and furious musical road trip. Continue reading →

Review: CODE ORANGE – ‘Forever’ [Song Stream]

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Critically acclaimed hardcore band Code Orange are set to release their 3rd LP, ‘Forever’ next week on January 13th, 2017. ‘Forever’ will be the band’s first release on major label Roadrunner Records. Their previous 2 records were released on Deathwish. It will be the follow up to their highly praised album ‘I Am King’ which was released in 2014. In my opinion, ‘I Am King’ was one of the best hardcore records in the last 10 years, so topping the record is going to be considered a huge challenge by many. The band formed in 2008 in Pittsburgh, PA. The lineup has changed a few times but has been consistent since 2012, the current members of the band are Eric Balderose on guitar and vocals, Reba Meyers also on guitar and vocals, Jami Morgan on the drums and vocals, and Joe Goldman on the bass. They changed their name from Code Orange Kids to Code Orange in 2014. You can pre-order the new album here. Continue reading →

Review of The Caveat’s Absolutely Brilliant, Self-Titled Debut

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The Caveat is:

Michael Stancel – Lead Guitar

Kyle Neeley, Guitar

Nik Schafer – Bass

Paul Christiansen – Drums

Artwork by Mikey Stancel

After recently reviewing The Caveat (Review) I was given the opportunity to get my hands on a signed, pre-release copy by the generosity of the band. I have listened to the singles extensively since being introduced to this killer band by my friend Ben Gleason, the guitarist/vocalist for my number one spot on last year’s best album, Return to Nothing by Source, but was not quite prepared for the difference that organizing the singles into a cohesive CD makes. The singles are obviously good by themselves and stand strong individually but as a full album, they are nothing short of amazing! This is already a peremptory favorite for Best of 2017! There must be something in the water in Colorado…

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