Author Andy Barker
Can it really be almost 40 years ago that we were all unceremoniously informed “You’re an Angel Witch…You’re an Angel Witch”? First by way of a 7” with ‘Gorgon’ on the flip-side, then on the ground-breaking genre-defining NWOBHM classic LP… Continue Reading →
Nevaria from Bavaria (!) are a relatively new addition to the Symphonic Metal fold. Formed in 2017 they have already shared billing with the likes of Xandria, Axxis and Sabaton and with this their debut studio offering look set to… Continue Reading →
Borknagar are ever-evolving. Never static, never predictable, defying labels and genres, a constantly morphing force of Progressive Extreme Metal that show no signs of stagnation. Previous album “Winter Thrice” was an absolute masterpiece that just gets better with time, but… Continue Reading →
Opeth are Progressive, in every sense of the musical terminology. The genre they reside in is labelled as Progressive, but unlike many others with the tag, they are ever-evolving, incorporating new influences and nuances within their current sound, a current… Continue Reading →
Over their last few releases, Sweden’s Ereb Altor have been pushing the boundaries of their Bathory-esque Viking Metal sound, sometimes darker, sometimes folkier – always epic. “Järtecken” sees an amalgamation of previous guises, delivered by a band suddenly brimming with… Continue Reading →
Swedish Metal band Tungsten have an unorthodox twist to their line-up. Formed by renowned drummer Anders Johansson (who many people will know for his time with Malmsteen and Hammerfall, as well as Fullforce, Stratovarius etc and projects with his brother… Continue Reading →
Prior to the surprise emergence of a track on a 7” vinyl last year, the last time we heard anything from unique Progressive project Noekk was way back in 2008 with their album “The Minstrel’s Curse”. So why the sudden… Continue Reading →
It has always surprised me that there aren’t more Folk Power Metal bands – the two styles seem to fit together so well. I guess you could argue that many Power Metal bands over the years have had elements of… Continue Reading →
Equilibrium are on their own musical journey – an epic one obviously, but it’s one that is increasingly keen to defy musical tags and labels. It seemed to start with 2016’s “Armageddon”, which saw them nudging slightly away from their… Continue Reading →
It’s possible, within in the grand Metal scheme of things, it strikes me that there is no such thing as a one hundred percent serious Symphonic Power Metal Band. They are 100% committed, don’t get me wrong, I’m talking about… Continue Reading →
Now OK, I’m not the usual go-to-guy for Black Metal bands on Ave Noctum. I think many of my fellow writers would possibly go so far as to state that I’m not really even on the list of go-to-guys-and-gals…and admittedly,… Continue Reading →
OK, so as this is the band’s debut, maybe I should just mention how Northtale (NorthTale or North Tale whichever you prefer) came to be. U.D.O. guitarist Bill Hudson decided upon his departure from that band that what he really… Continue Reading →