Category Archives: Album Reviews

Review: DEATH TRIP ‘Professional Asshole’ [Stream]

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I hope this isn’t the first you’ve heard of Death Trip. If it is, let me tell you now I’m highly disappointed in you. Death Trip is from the Big Stone Gap, Virginia area of the Appalachian Mountains and while the area may be rural their music certainly echos outside of the hills of Southeastern Virginia. Their first release was 2013’s ‘Distracted’, followed by the sophomore effort ‘So Far, No Good’ in 2015. The band of course wastes no time and now have released their new record, ‘Professional Asshole’, on October 29th. The album is 13 delicious tracks of brutal punk with a side order of hardcore. They meld these styles so well that it is hard to decipher where one ends and the other begins. The style in which they play music seems a bit chaotic at times but that chaos has developed into a finally wrapped gift when it’s fully unveiled to their fans. Continue reading →

Review: DOOMED ‘Anna’ [Stream]

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Doomed is a one man army conjuring up amazing doom from Germany. Pierre Laube is the man that does it all. Instruments, concepts, vocals, artwork and production he is fully in charge of his art and it knows no boundaries. The band was formed in 2011 and have 4 albums released thus far. The most recent album marks their 5th album which released September 26, 2016 titled ‘Anna’via Solitude Productions. The new release ‘Anna’ is a concept album about the repercussions of war and the album is full of those haunting, emotive moments without straying away from the solid death/doom music that they’re known for. The album features guest appearances from members of Hail Of Bullets, The 11th Hour, Camel Of Doom and others. Continue reading →

Maeth Continues To Astound With “Shrouded Mountain”

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Maeth is:

David Ports – Green to White Technician

Boone Ipstenu – Shaman

Jay Schwartz – Meat Puncher

Sam Tygiel – Airbender

Steve Bergquist – Party Master

“The Haint” – मृत्योर्मामृतं गमय (Hindu prayer for peace)

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release: October 28, 2016

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Review: MoE ‘Examination Of The Eye Of A Horse’ [Stream]

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MoE are a band that truly sets themselves apart from anyone else in the music world. Hailing from Norway MoE mixes their minimalist compositions with an alternative experimental approach. Their sound often comes off as noisy punk influenced rock but they do not want it to be confused with metal. Not wanting their music to be confused with metal displays the confidence they have in their unique sound. The band formed in 2008 and has 4 releases thus far. MoE recently released their album ‘Examination Of The Eye Of A Horse’ on October 14th via Conrad Sound. The album was co-produced by co-produced by Jorgen Traeen. MoE creates a sound that will not conform to a genre. Continue reading →

Coalition Serves Up Prog Perfection With “Bridge Across Time”

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Coalition is:

Steve Gresswell – songwriter, keyboards, drums, bass

Blake Carpenter – lyrics, vocals

Colin Tench – guitars

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Bridge Across Time: October 7, 2016

From Reading in the UK comes the brilliant, recent release of Bridge Across Time from the Prog Rock trio called Coalition. This album has been a long time coming and has been well worth the wait since their 2011 release of In Search of Forever.

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Review: Shit The Cow ‘One With The Devil’ [Stream]

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Shit The Cow is a band of Swedish rockers set out to explore the limitations of their own universe, and from what I’ve heard there are no limits on what this band can do. The bands risk taking when it comes to sound has really developed their music into something new. They are conquering uncharted territory and inventing sound as they go. They’ve done what is classified as “rock disco” on their 2012 release ‘Volume/Cow’ before moving on to a more garage rock sound on 2013’s ‘Salt Of The Earth’. Then they evolved into a more punk feel with 2014’s ‘Rissna’ before moving to more darker elements on “67p” in 2015. The band has defined their sound as “Scrapyard Rock” and it’s very fitting. The band simply takes inspiration from all over and juxtaposes their sound. Continue reading →

Review: Scattered Hamlet ‘Swamp Rebel Machine’

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Scattered Hamlet classify themselves as “Honky Tonk Metal” and that classification is perfect. They have firmly planted their roots in a southern style of metal with a tremendous amount of blues. It’s not surprising that they mention some of their influences from Lynyrd Skynyrd, Molly Hatchet, as well as Hank Williams I, II and III. While those are easiy to hear in their music, they also give a nod to bands like Clutch, Down, Fu Manchu and Black Sabbath. Their style is smooth, fresh and flows like the finest bourbon. The different elements that complete the uniqueness in their music are vast just like their influences. Scattered Hamlet is set to release their new album ‘Swamp Rebel Machine’ on November 4th via BuckMoon Productions and pre-orders for the highly anticipated album have already started. The album was produced and mixed by Grammy nominated producer Jason Donaghy (Rob Zombie, John 5, The Murder Dolls) who also produced their debut album ‘Skeleton Dixie’. They have graced the stages Rocklahoma, SXSW, and Van’s Warped Tour. They make new fans where ever they roam, and have coined their fans as “Hellriders”. Pre-Order the album here.

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Review: Dope – Blood Money, Part 1

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Some bands from the late 90’s and early 2000’s have faded away. Others have made a stale return and then there are bands like Dope who have stayed true to their sound and succeed since their formation. From the very moment in 1999 when I first saw the video for “Everything Sucks” I was hooked. While their were dozens of nu-metal bands already taking over the airwaves Dope had that extra something that others didn’t. One of their keys to success is the lyrics by singer and founder Edsel Dope. The lyrics are some of the most relatable you will ever hear.Any listener can take something away from each and every song. The band is about to release their 6th studio album and the bands first release in 7 years. ‘Blood Money, Part 1’ will release on October 28th via eOne Music. The band is currently on tour with Flaw and Motograter in what they are referring to as the Dope reunion tour which features the bands classic lineup of Edsel Dope, Acey Slade, Virus, & Racci Shay. Continue reading →

Khemmis “Hunted” May Be One Of The Best Albums Of 2016

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Khemmis is:

Ben Hutcherson – vocals/guitars

Phil Pendergast – vocals/guitars

Daniel Beirs – bass

Zach Coleman – drums

12 Jacket (3mm Spine) [GDOB-30H3-007}

Hunted

Release date: October 21, 2016

Man. After doing my State of the Art: Colorado on Khemmis earlier this year I have been flat, wearing out Absolution (2015) and chomping at the bit waiting for Hunted. Once we were able to procure a copy of this wicked release, Dragon and I debated on who was going to review it. Both of us are huge fans but in the end he let me have it (Yes!) due to a couple of scheduling difficulties with other MN responsibilities. We are singing from the same hymnal, so, in the end, don’t think either of us would have been too far off from the other. One thing we definitely agree on is that Khemmis’ Hunted is one of the best albums of 2016.

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Inner Demons – “Feel the Cold” Review

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Inner Demons is:

Karl Hasse: vocals

Chuck Hillyard: lead guitar

Zakk Hillyard: bass

Sean Watson: rhythm guitar

L.P. Parsons III: drums

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I can’t tell you guys how excited I have been since being informed that my good friends in Inner Demons were releasing their new album, Feel the Cold, due out October 21, 2016! Well, I got my grubby paws on this beast shortly after the production was complete this last weekend and have been spinning it almost constantly between other music duties with MN ever since. So freakin’ killer, this release! Everything I have come to expect from them and more! Raging guitar work, some of the coolest bass lines around, blasting drums and the unique, powerful vocals of producer/vocalist Karl Hasse. As I was preparing to write my review, another good friend of mine, one of the founding members of That Riff Promotions and die-hard supporter of local Metal dropped his review. Not willing to pass up the opportunity to support MN, That Riff and Inner Demons, all at the same time, I asked permission from him, the members of Inner Demons and my editor to allow him a guest spot in the MN family. So, without further ado, it is my pleasure to introduce my buddy, Jason Jagodzinski’s review of Feel the Cold by Jacksonville, FL’s very own, Inner Demons!

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