Author Andy Barker
Symphony X are a class act. Surely one of the best Progressive Metal bands in the world – THE best for many. And in an inward looking genre, seemingly dwindling in popularity, they’ve ceaselessly turned out album after album of… Continue Reading →
It’s Xandria’s turn to release one of these extended EP type things that Napalm are so keen on as a fill-in between albums. We are treated to 3 new songs 2 re-recordings and a cover. There are actually TWO cover… Continue Reading →
I really thought that said Nerdgard! I know I’m not alone, you had to double check didn’t you? But before you think the name is some kind of visor for computers, or a bigger kid looking out for the brainy… Continue Reading →
Snapped up by AFM after a self-released debut and a follow up on Lion music, Canadian Metallers Borealis are certainly seizing their opportunity with both clenched fists. This is the first thing I’ve heard by the band, but even the… Continue Reading →
Well it’s all change in the Burning Point camp…actually it’s not ALL change – they have a new vocalist…which makes it a major change…or, if vocals aren’t that important to you, it’s just “a change” really isn’t it…shall I start… Continue Reading →
Time flies when you’re in two successful metal bands, and Mats and Ragnar have released 3 albums in 20 months! One was with their other band Isole, but already we are being offered another Viking Metal outing by Ereb Altor… Continue Reading →
I got this album the same week as I received the new Nightwish to review. “So What?” some might ask, “Who Cares? Get on with the review” others may insist, but I bring this up because when you listen to… Continue Reading →
When Nightwish and Tarja parted company all those years ago, every fan of the band had an idea of who they would like to see as the new vocalist for Nightwish. There was one name in particular that kept cropping… Continue Reading →
There’s no messing around with twiddly, whimsical intros for Dutch Pagan Metallers Heidevolk. Nope, opening track ‘Winter Woede’ piles straight in there, brimming with their own special brand of Tyr-tinged, Ensiferum-edged Viking Metal that they have been crafting and honing… Continue Reading →
The scene is set a with sombre, classically flavoured piano intro, just over 2 minutes long, full of emotion and drama. Anything could be coming next, Black Metal? Pagan Metal? Post Rock? Symphonic Metal? Doom? Almost the last thing I… Continue Reading →
You know it’s going to be a long review when you realise it will take two paragraphs just to explain who is is involved, what it’s about and why. But it has to be – The Gentle Storm’s debut offering… Continue Reading →
Magic Kingdom…Magic Kingdom…oh yeah, debuted in 1999 with an album of decent Power Metal struggling through ropey production and wrapped in a terrible cover! Well, everyone has to start somewhere and follow-up “Metallic Tragedy”, belied it’s portentous title and was… Continue Reading →