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Author Nick Griffiths

Having grown up on a diet of ABBA, The Carpenters, Leo Sayer (Mum), Cream, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and The Beatles (Dad), it was a stormy night under canvas in the wilds of Wales where I first heard the Winston Churchill speech that proceeds ‘Aces High’ from Iron Maiden’s ‘Live After Death’ where life changed for the better. That’s not to say that this was THE pivotal moment of my life (the good lady indoors and two children may get slightly truculent if I were to suggest as much) but it’s certainly up there. Listening, wearing, watching and being into Metal is one of life’s great honours and whilst it may be far from conventional and not a broad representation of the society where we live, I think that’s the point. We are different, we like it loud, noisy, nasty and in your face. Hearing that first chord, feeling that first double kick drum, that initial growl, your first t-shirt (Anthrax Efilnikufesin (N.F.L.)) …moments of pure majesty that endure for a lifetime. Luckily, I get to ramble on here after doing so in Raw, Kerrang, Metal Hammer, NME, Rock Sound, and Terrorizer over the last 25 years. It’s still as much fun reviewing music today, as it was for my first ever published ramblings (Nuclear Assault ‘Live At Hammersmith Odeon’ - never has a 140 word review been so drastically sub edited) to the last one I did 5 minutes ago. Nice Fucking Life!

Infection Code – In.R.I – Argonauta Records

One of the absolutely beautiful things about writing for this site, is the amount of curveballs you get thrown your way when putting your hand up for something you think you’ve got a pretty good understanding of. You often think… Continue Reading →

Uneven Structure – Paragon (Longbranch/SPV)

One of the things that we, as heavy rock/metal music fans, often enjoy is the dense sea of different genres that encompass the music we love. There seems not to be a niche untouched, a style not overturned, an approach… Continue Reading →

Fit For An Autopsy – The Sea Of Tragic Beasts (Nuclear Blast)

Despite a revolving door of vocalists, New Jersey’s Fit For An Autopsy, have been around since 2008 and have managed to generate a lot of positive ‘buzz’ (I think that’s the lexicon the youth of today use?) during their tenure… Continue Reading →

Cortege – Capricorn (S/R)

In the spirit of full transparency, I have copied and pasted two sentences that I think probably do a better job than I will in 500 or so words, at describing what I have just listened to on this latest… Continue Reading →

Necrotted – Die For Something Worthwhile (Rising Nemesis Records)

Hailing from Southern Germany with an impressive back catalogue behind them, the wonderfully monikered Necrotted return with this a celebratory EP to mark their 10 years of existence. It’s a short, sharp kick in the balls, an aural equivalent of… Continue Reading →

Gatecreeper – Deserted (Relapse Records)

Having generated quite the buzz with their debut album back in 2016, Arizonian death metallers Gatecreeper, have (if you believe the press surrounding the release of this their new album) quite the task in upping the ante and surpassing the… Continue Reading →

Implore – Alienated Despair (Century Media)

I seem to have been wandering around with my head in the clouds of late, listening to a lot of ethereal, expansive, math/space/alt rock that whilst impressive from a song writing, musicianship and production perspective, sometimes you need something else,… Continue Reading →

Acid Reign – The Age of Entitlement (Dissonance Productions)

I thought long and hard before I cowered in the presence of the lord high priest of Ave Noctum’s sacred citadel and genuflected in his presence and asked his unholiness if I may be able to review this, Acid Reign’s,… Continue Reading →

Mike Patton and Jean-Claude Vannier – Corpse Flower (Ipecac Recordings)

Mike Patton needs no introduction. Jean Claude-Vannier probably needs one being as he is ‘not of our world’ if that’s not being an elitist, metal loving arsehole? Anyway, Jean Cluade-Vennier is a 76-year-old French composer, poet and arranger, probably more… Continue Reading →

PSOTY – Sunless (Candlelight Records)

Formally known as Pet Slimmers Of the Year, the far pithier PSOTY return from a lengthy sabbatical with this their second full length release and follow up to 2014’s ‘Fragments Of Uniforms. I already like them though hailing, as they… Continue Reading →

Warcrab – Damned In Endless Night (Transcending Obscurity Records)

When Warcrab’s latest release came around for review, I put my hand up straight away as I have always had a soft spot for the Plymouth based six piece, based solely on a chance viewing of their set at Bloodstock… Continue Reading →

Swamp Coffin – Flatcap Bastard Features (S/R)

I have never heard of this three piece from Rotherham before, but I have now and I am fucking glad I have. Not only is this a fortifying ladleful of grim UK doom/sludge, but Swamp Coffin is also a fucking… Continue Reading →

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