Author Andrew Doherty
I’ve been following Danish band Mnemic since their first album “Mechanical Spin Phenomena” in 2003. This and its successor “The Audio Injected Sound” (2004) showed signs of a fresh face in the world of modern, futuristic metal or metalcore or… Continue Reading →
Grey and greyer. That’s a description of the Katatonian cover sleeve of Spanish band Evadne’s second album release, and with track titles like “Dreams in Monochrome” you just know it’s not going to be a whole lot of fun. But… Continue Reading →
Black Metal band Asaru has an irregular history. Having operated between 1995 and 2007 in Germany, the vocalist moved to Norway and re-formed the band in 2009. I didn’t hear the original incarnation but I imagine there’s not too much… Continue Reading →
Nachtblut, as you might imagine from the name, are of Germanic origin. Translated into English, “Nightblood” doesn’t quite sound the same. Like a number of other bands, notably Rammstein, they make best use of the expressiveness and harshness of the… Continue Reading →
Thrash metal is what Sweden’s Desultor are about. It’s clear from listening to “Masters of Hate”, their debut album that they don’t believe in messing about. Non-stop and like a whirlwind, it is also rich in technicality. The spooky, extra-terrestrial… Continue Reading →
A controlled riot is upon us. 18 musicians contributed to this album, with 8 taking part in the live shows. Diablo Swing Orchestra are back with their third album “Pandora’s Piñata”. A piñata is a brightly coloured figure which children… Continue Reading →
I really liked Acyl’s debut ep “Angel’s Sin” and so was very pleased to have the chance to review “Algebra”, their first album. Acyl are an Algerian-French experimental metal band who draw on their North African origins and use traditional… Continue Reading →
As I listened to “Blood of Saints”, the penny, or as Engel are Swedish, the krona dropped. The style made me remember I’d seen Engel play live at the Forum inLondonin 2007 in support of Amon Amarth and Dimmu Borgir…. Continue Reading →
“A Night in Strings” is an apt title. The strings in question are two violins, one viola and a cello, played by this female quartet fromGermany. This collection of covers from such varied artists as LinkinPark, Depeche Mode, Lady Gaga… Continue Reading →
No image of horror could ever be vivid enough for Carach Angren. You don’t just have people being executed at the stake. You get a personalised, close up view of the build-up, the date, the weather and the aftermath which… Continue Reading →
This is one of those albums where I found myself heading down the trail of “who does this sound like?”, as it rumbles on in its melodic heavy metal way. I realise that Lahmia are not a tribute band and… Continue Reading →
Reading the literature which comes with this album, if I understand it correctly, this is all about individuality, epitomised by “contemplation before the action … the prelude to the change and the final breath before delving into the unknown”. Mr… Continue Reading →