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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!

Flames – Resurgence (No Remorse)

This band based in Germany (originally Greece) are not a familiar one to me. However, having spent time with this release and their earlier albums (debut dates back to 1985), I can safely say that I have been missing out…. Continue Reading →

Wömit Angel – Sadopunk Finland (Godz Ov War)

This is a fifth album ov black metal punk filth, this one shows a touch of variety from your pure gnarly black punk drenched tunes, to Bathory chalices of evil through to some fairly normal metal influences. The mental vocals… Continue Reading →

Evil – Book of Evil (From the Vault Records)

Denmark’s Evil are regarded as one of those classic bands, a 1999 re-issue of their ‘Evil Message’ EP with Sortilége helped their heritage, I am sure. Following a bumpy attempt of resurgence in 2015 with ‘Shoot the Messenger’, sole original… Continue Reading →

Invocator – Excursion Demise / Weave The Apocalypse (Hammerheart)

Hammerheart have done a great job re-issuing the early back catalogue of Danish technical Thrash metal band Invocator. The band’s debut Excursion Demise was originally released in 1991. I always found this release to be at the tipping point of… Continue Reading →

Cauchemar – Rosa Mystica (Temple of Mystery)

This is the third full length from this well-known Canadian band. There are the expected doom influences and a lot of traditional metal too. The label and band are fans of Pagan Altar, so expect some influences to shine through… Continue Reading →

Tysondog – Midnight (From the Vaults)

After a 30-year break and resurgence in the live circuit 10-12 years ago, North East England’s NWoBHM legends Tysondog returned with their 2015 ‘Cry Havoc’ album. Fast forward and we have another album in the form of ‘Midnight’. “hoy your… Continue Reading →

Fer De Lance – The Hyperborean (Cruz Del Sur Music)

This Chicago band came to my attention when mentioned in Keep It True festival forums; however, they  are very different from the usual style of bands appearing at that festival. Quite rightly noted in the PR material, this release makes… Continue Reading →

Reaper – Viridian Inferno (Dying Victims)

Australian metal punks come at you with their debut release. Expect a nod to Hellhammer, China’s Military Shadow and primitive early noise in general from both Germany and the UK. The PR material states “hellhammering speedmetalpunk”, which is very accurate…. Continue Reading →

Luzifer – Iron Shackles (High Roller)

German band Luzifer are a side project of thrashers Vulture, I’ve had the pleasure of purchasing their ‘Rise’ EP and ‘Black Knight’ 7 inch single, ‘Iron Shackles’ is their debut album. As time has progressed, Luzifer has. The band has… Continue Reading →

Knight and Gallow – For Honor and Bloodshed (No Remorse)

Californian epic/traditional metal band formed in 2019 and came to my attention with loose association to Keep It True festival forums (the album was mastered by Bart Gabriel). So hence, you rather expect what is coming from this release. As… Continue Reading →

Venator – Echoes From the Gutter (Dying Victims)

Austrian’s Venator are a traditional heavy metal band quite known in the underground. Their 2020 split with Germany’s Angel Blade (now Acid Blade) was a great introduction. These songs were also released in their own right as the ‘Paradiser’ EP… Continue Reading →

Sin Starlett – Solid Source of Steel (Metalizer)

This Swiss band have three previous full-length releases behind them. Categorized as traditional heavy metal, we all know how vast that could turn out to be. Their two previous releases were more in the field of European power metal. Upon… Continue Reading →

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