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Author Paul Maddison

I grew up in the North East at the tail end of NWOBHM and US Power Metal scene and more noticably during the glam vs. thrash conflict. I then upped sticks to spend a good few years in the West Midlands during the late 90's.

Over the years I have become a fanatical collector of records, T shirts and CD's and in this current internet age, mp3's are not what i consider to be called part a record collection for the "record"!

I decided to start writing reviews as I thought that it would be a good way to give back some positive support for artists and a music phenomenon that has given me great pleasure over the years. I prefer to listen to bands that can really play their instruments and have a talent for melody and good arrangements. I try to be constructive with everything I endeavour within music. When on or off "duty" you will more than likely see me enjoying rather a few pints of the good stuff at the bar in the London area and maybe at some various other watering holes around the country...i don't bite, i just stumble a bit...

Long live metal with all its triumphs and tribulations, metal fans are a community, it's a lifestyle, it is everything to man and beast!

Enforcer – From Beyond (Nuclear Blast)

Safe in the knowledge that Enforcer are a kick ass band and the quality of their releases seems to get better with each one recorded, I had very high hopes for their fourth effort ‘From Beyond’. It’s even better than… Continue Reading →

Toledo Steel – Zero Hour (S/R)

Toledo Steel are a band that has improved their art so much over the last few months, their first demo was on the money, their first EP, oozed class and this new EP ‘Zero Hour’ shows a band ahead of… Continue Reading →

Night – Soldiers of Time (Gaphals)

Sweden’s fashion of going back to the early 80’s in both musical style and dress code couldn’t be more suited to this band. Night went back to the future to reinvent their self-proclaimed 80’s heavy metal before ’81 attitude as… Continue Reading →

The Sanity Days – Evil Beyond Belief (Candlelight)

Formed by two (and them some) ex-Onslaught members, namely vocalist Steve Grimmett and drummer Steve Grice, The Sanity Days completes its line up with Jase Stallard (bass – who recorded on ‘Power from Hell’ then switched to guitar for ‘The… Continue Reading →

Decaying – One to Conquer (Hellthrasher Productions)

Finland’s war commentating death metal mercenaries have moved on a bit in the 3 years since I last took stock of their material. There has been an album and EP since the most excellent ‘Encirclement’ album. That focused lyrically more… Continue Reading →

Aktor – Paranoia (High Roller)

Professor Black aka Chris Black of High Spirits and Dawnbringer fame is becoming something of a musical project whore just like a certain Swedish gent we know and love, which is great by the way. With each endeavour, there is… Continue Reading →

Ruthless – They Rise (Pure Steel)

For me, 1984’s ‘Metal Without Mercy’ EP was something special, so it is with a little apprehension and excitement that a new release by the reformed Ruthless should come my way. The opening gambit ‘Defender’ leaves me with no doubts… Continue Reading →

Black Hat Bones – High Gain Devil Rockers (Trailblazer)

Here we have some self-proclaimed rock ‘n’ roll heroes from Greece, yes that’s a bold PR statement, but marginally accurate! I listened to this release a few times long before I did some digging or read the PR material, I… Continue Reading →

The Deep – Premonition (S/R)

The Deep are closely linked in history to NWOBHM band and Deep Machine, namely the 1982 line up of that band with further links to Tokyo Blade, Rouge Male, Tytan, Vardis and somewhere in there is an Angel Witch! But… Continue Reading →

Visigoth – The Revenant King (Metal Blade)

Visigoth are a cool epic metal band from Salt Lake City in the States, roll forward a few years since they first caught my attention and we have a major label signing, a new logo and new music…but not in… Continue Reading →

Battle Beast – Unholy Saviour (Nuclear Blast)

Setting off with album number 3 is going to be a tough one to follow their most excellent ‘Steel’ and ‘Battle Beast’ records, but here we have it. The first two tracks follow a more power metal path and a… Continue Reading →

Night Demon – Curse of the Damned (SPV)

I have been waiting over three years for this album, those not familiar with this band should know I have been a keen follower before they released the first version of their EP (reviewed here: http://www.avenoctum.com/2013/05/night-demon-st-ep-sr). Roll on a few… Continue Reading →

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