Your No. 1 Source For Extreme And Atmospheric Music And Film.

Author Andy Barker

I guess I got into Metal by accident at 7 years old when I was given my brother's old record player with ONE record. His mates had told him that Black Sabbath sounded just like Status Quo...he didn't agree so Black Sabbath's debut was that one record. I never looked back. Got a battered old 4 piece drumkit when I was Ten years old and by 14 I had vowed to make my fortune as a Rock Star.
The next fifteen years included a few years as the drummer in Holosade, plus stints in Company Of Wolves, Dominion, Diamond Dogs and Intense, eventually dispelling that ambition, so I ended up running a specialist Metal CD/Record/T-Shirt shop in York for 7 years. £40 grand a year in rent for a shop in York means I am now solely an online trader...
I still turn up every now and again playing drums, bass or guitar in the odd band, be it live or in the studio, because once you have been a musician...or a drummer...it's difficult to stop that creative urge.
When I write a review I remember what it was like to read a review of something I had been a creative part of. My opinion is just my opinion, and I try to be constructive. I believe that if a musician has taken the time to record his or her ideas then it has merit to someone and deserves respect. Music is all about personal taste, and if someone has taken the time to create it, the least I can do is take the time to listen.

Grimner – Urfader (Despotz)

Grimner are undeniably Folk Metal, however just stating this is a little vague as Folk Metal in itself is a much more widespread genre than it used to be. Most Folk Metal bands have their allegiances in Metal first, but… Continue Reading →

Avandra – Prodigal (Layered Reality)

Ironically, Progressive Metal bands can be some of the least progressive units out there – in the truest sense of the term. Take Dream Theater, their fans buy their albums because they know what to expect, which isn’t truly progressive… Continue Reading →

Epica – The Alchemy Project (Atomic Fire Records)

Symphonic Metal maestros Epica always put a bit of extra effort into their EPs. There’s usually something special to entice their fans into making a purchase and to make the EP almost as much of an event as a full… Continue Reading →

Therion – Leviathan II (Nuclear Blast)

It’s safe to say that Therion are without doubt one of the pioneers of Symphonic Metal. Though Therion have never settled on just one sound, and this constantly progressive attitude (in the true sense of the word) has led band-leader… Continue Reading →

Sede Vacante – Conium (Scarlet Records)

It’s always a pleasure to hear when a band switches a couple of members, finds their own sound and throws an album out there with renewed intent and focus. It would be a real shame right now if I said… Continue Reading →

Avatarium – Death, Where Is Your Sting (AFM)

Avatarium’s musical journey is on the surface a slightly unusual one, given where they started to where they are now. Originally, they were another Leif Edling (of Candlemass fame of course) side project, bearing all the traits you would expect,… Continue Reading →

Dragonland – The Power Of The Nightstar (AFM)

Well that took a while didn’t it? It’s eleven years since we heard anything from Swedish Symphonic Power Metal maestros Dragonland! It’s always possible that some members were busy with other projects, for instance, it’s more than possible that guitarist… Continue Reading →

Lacuna Coil – Comalies XX (Century Media)

Can it really be twenty years since Lacuna Coil delivered their ground-breaking third full-length album “Comalies”? Well, obviously, yes it can because the band have decided to mark this anniversary with a reimagining of that iconic 2002 album, delivered by… Continue Reading →

Borealis – Illusions (AFM)

I find the hardest reviews I have to write are the ones about the follow-up to an album I absolutely loved. Sure enough, Canadian Metal band Borealis’ previous album “The Offering” is one of my favourite albums from the last… Continue Reading →

Hexed – Pagans Rising (ViciSolum)

Swedish Metal band Hexed are not what you would expect from a loosely thrown Symphonic Metal tag. They weren’t what I expected when I was fortunate enough to review their debut full-length back in 2018 and now, on their follow-up,… Continue Reading →

Kaledon – Legend Of The Forgotten Reign Chapter VII – Evil Awakens (Beyond The Storm Productions)

Chapter Seven??!! When the hell did that happen?? Clearly it’s been a while since I last heard anything by Italian Symphonic Power Metal band Kaledon as I think they were merely on something like Chapter Three when I heard them… Continue Reading →

Band Of Spice – How We Play The Game (Scarlet)

Hot on the smoking heels of last year’s “By The Corner Of Tomorrow”, Band Of Spice have wasted no time in serving up another whopping slice of Classic Doom/Stoner/Psyche-tinged Hard Rock/Metal in time-honoured Spice tradition. Guitarist/Vocalist Spice is of course… Continue Reading →

« Older posts Newer posts »

© 2024 Ave Noctum — Powered by WordPress

Theme by Anders NorenUp ↑