Category Archives: Album Reviews

Review: Drowning Pool “Hellelujah” (2 Tracks Streaming)

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Almost 3 years after the release of “Resilience” DROWNING POOL is set to unleash their latest batch of fist pumping, high energy, Texas Metal. Set for release February 5th “Hellelujah” promises to carry on the momentum garnered by the recent 13th anniversary of the band’s debut Smash “Sinner” . Produced by Jason Suceof, “Hellelujah” marks the second release fronted by vocalist Jasen Moreno. “Hellelujah” doesn’t waste any time getting going with “Push” delivering everything we expect from DROWNING POOL in 2016. It’s heavy, melodic, up-tempo and catchy. Nothing really new here for DROWNING POOL. But certainly more of what fans that have followed them since 2001 will appreciate. “Push” is followed up by the album’s first single “By The Blood”. “By The Blood” seems to channel the “Sinner” album a bit. All the elements from the guitar tone of guitarist C.J. Pierce to The vocal styling’s laid down from singer Jasen Moreno seem to take you back to the bands Platinum debut. I know that is something we can all live with. Continue reading →

Review: Ape Cave “Pillars of Evolution” [Album Stream]

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Artwork: Jason Raines

Ape Cave are a talented band from the musically rich city of Portland, Oregon. This month makes a year the band has been together and unlike other bands who take their sweet ass time releasing material Ape Cave doesn’t waste any time. Back in May the band released their debut which was a 3 song EP entitled ‘Primordium’. The moment I heard the EP I became obsessed with their sound. Just a little over 6 months the band is now releasing their full length album ‘Pillars of Evolution’.

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Review: God Am – S/T EP

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On the outskirts of Indianapolis, Indiana you will find one of the most appealing bands I have heard in some time. The band God Am formed in 2012 and have been putting in some major hours to hone their sound and get exactly where they want to be. The band released their debut EP on May 16th. The group have made waves throughout the region in Indiana and this EP is sure to turn those small waves into more of a tidal wave. After just finishing this EP the band is already hard at work a follow up to this debut and have 3 songs in the books written already. They will soon begin touring Indiana and surrounding areas and we can only hope a venue in our area will be lucky enough to book them. We had the honor of checking out the debut and are sure you will be just as impressed as we were. Continue reading →

Review: Pale Horsemen – Bless The Destroyer [Stream]

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For years New Orleans, Louisiana has really been the home for most sludge bands. We now have another destination for all things sludge. Chicago quartet Pale Horsemen have been giving birth to some amazing sludge albums since their formation in 2012. Since then they now have released 3 amazing albums. They debuted their first self-titled release in 2013 and took little time with a follow up releasing ‘Mourn the Black Lotus’ in 2014. November 30th marked the date of their latest release ‘Bless the Destroyer’. The band celebrated the release at their CD Release Party a couple days early in the Windy City with yet another northern sludge band The Mound Builders. Continue reading →

Review | Downtrend – Southern Fried Hell Ride: Live

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Pikeville, Kentucky isn’t a rock destination by any means. To be completely honest it is really hard for a band to survive in an area that doesn’t have a very good music scene. Downtrend has been together since 2004 and has several releases in their discography. The band was formed by guitarist Josh Crum and bassist Jeremy Chaney. While most bands would have given up, the band has persevered and continued to dominate stages all around the region. The current line up brings with it great chemistry which can not only be heard but seen with the naked eye when they grace the stage with their presence. Drummer J.D. Hall and bassist Jeremy Chaney have a musical bond that dates back even prior to this band that helps them create a sound that is pure aggression all the while keeping an amazing rhythm. The band has blended together all their influences to juxtapose this eclectic sound. Front man Mike Jackson not only serenades with his authoritative vocal style but he also breaks out his harmonica skills that help the band achieve an original sound.

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Review: HateSphere “New Hell” [Video]

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The Danish band Hatesphere has been an unstoppable thrash machine since 2000. Yes, that’s 15 years of domination they have amassed. The band is just a day away from releasing their 9th album titled “New Hell” via Massacre Records on November 20th. These guys have an aggressive sound that has taken Europe by storm. Dominating performances at Wacken Open Air, With Full Force, and Hellfest Festivals really helped them double and maybe even triple their fan base. The band has toured with some of the best bands around and continue to turn heads over and over. The album was produced by Tue Madsen at Antfarm Studio. He has produced albums for The Haunted, Sick Of It All, and Dark Tranquillity in the past. It’s been about 2 years since their last release “Murderlust” and my ears are more than ready to consume some new Hatesphere. Continue reading →

Review: Danzig “Skeletons”

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The release of Danzig’s newest album is upon us. The new album “Skeletons” is a covers album and is being released via Nuclear Blast. It is the long anticipated follow up to 2010’s Deth Red Sabaoth. I personally have always been more of a Danzig fan than the Misfits. While Danzig does have a punk or crossover edge to it overall it is truly a metal band. If you haven’t yet seen the songs being covered on the album it’s a little surprising. Most of the time bands will select very popular songs to put their own spin on them. Not Danzig. The one great thing about Glenn is that he always does things the way he wants to and if you don’t like it tough shit. That’s his attitude and you have to love that about him. This album has been in the works since 2012 and was recorded in Los Angeles. The album will be released on November 27th. Continue reading →

Review: Stonecutters “Blood Moon” [Video]

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It’s not often I get to write about some fellow Kentuckians. Not only do these guys hail from the Bluegrass state but they are putting us on the map for their brilliant musicianship. Stonecutters have successfully released 3 albums including their last kick ass release titled “Creatio Ex Nihil” that was unleashed in 2013. I was fortunate enough to see them back in 2006 with Eye Hate God and Nachtmystium in support of their debut album. Time has done nothing but make this band better and better. The brand new album “Blood Moon” is some of their best work to date and was recorded with David Barrick in Glasgow, Kentucky. Continue reading →

Review: Bastard Lord EP plus [Video]

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Buffalo, New York is home to some iconic things. Wings, the neighboring city to Niagara Falls and the loveable losers the Buffalo Bills. Well soon enough the great Northern city will be put on the map yet again. The unbelievably kick ass doomsters Bastard Lord have released their debut EP via Twin Earth Records. The band has their own signature branded doom sound. The incredible riffs created by Mike Hermann are something of legendary status. On songs like “Wormwood” the guitar riffs teleport you toward the doom filled psychedelic vocals by singer and bassist David Braymiller. The song even lets the feedback shine through adding that raw edge to their music. The vocals aren’t all up front and in your face but slightly retreated from the instruments and it works beautifully. The bands overall sound is something fresh and fierce in the world of sludge and doom. They have taken inspiration from modern metal added their own twist and vibe and it has birthed what we now know as Bastard Lord. The first track on the album “Cimmerian” has an eerie riff that slowly trickles into full blown doom. The song is a 13 minute tour of what the band is all about. We only get 4 tracks on this EP, but it is a perfect example of what to expect with a full length. The three peice has really carved out a sound that is unmatched currently, especially in the North East. They are like a Frankenstein of Crowbar and Pallbearer with other little tid bits of kick ass thrown in here and there. If you are a fan of sludge, doom or anything psychedelic we fully recommend this album. I refer to Bastard Lord’s riffs as a sweet sweet nectar that is overwhelmingly addictive. We look very forward to catching these guys live and in the flesh.

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Review: Walking Corpse Syndrome “Human Delusion” [Video]

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It’s not often you say to someone “Hey check out this brutally kick ass band from Montana.” I have been saying that about Walking Corpse Syndrome to anyone and everyone that will listen for a week. From this point forward these guys are my favorite band from Montana. The band was formed by guitarist Matthew Bile and drummer Nocktis in 2006. The guys were in a band together before and the break up of that band resulted in them going on to create this band. One thing that sets this band apart is that they use two drummers. The band is a six piece having double guitars and drums. Of course co-founder Nocktis is one of those drummers and the other is his brother Mr. Grimm. It’s rare you have two drummers, but one of the best bands to ever pull that off is none other than the legendary Melvins. Both drummers able to drum in rhythm is very difficult. Since the drummers grew up together learning drums it helps their chemistry that much more. The vocalist Leif Winterrowd helps give the band an extra boost toward legendary metal status as well. The band has been labeled as dark metal, atmospheric death metal and brutal groove and while none of those are wrong I’d honestly refer to them as New Wave of American Heavy Metal with some extra aggression. The band is about release their fourth studio album titled “Human Delusion” on September 25th. Continue reading →