Tag Symphonic
I’ve had quite a few Israeli bands in my review pile this month from various quarters as this sextet releases a debut of ambitious power metal complete with soaring operatic vocals. I have a penchant for this scene that started… Continue Reading →
This is one of those albums we never really expected to happen. After Arcturus split in 2007 following on from their ‘Sideshow Symphonies’ album a couple of years earlier things seemed pretty final. However they had persevered through losing original… Continue Reading →
I did rather swear when this gig was announced as I realised it was the same night as Prong in London. Well you can’t be in two places at once and it was really no contest as I had never… Continue Reading →
French progressive power metallers Anthropia have set their sights on a lofty target with this release. A concept album based on the Cthulhu mythos and all things Lovecraftian certainly spells ambition and roping in Arjen Anthony Lucassen of Ayreon fame,… Continue Reading →
“Ok guys, we’ve got 29 minutes to create a good impression – so let’s get to work,’ I imagine Rise of Avernus saying to each other with eager glances as they headed into the studio for the recording of their… Continue Reading →
Appearing from seemingly nowhere this Swiss band hits 2015 with an intriguing debut of predominantly death metal but offer some very interesting differences not least the addition of female vocals but also said lady plays a cello on this album… 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 →
“It’s five contemplative texts tell of the utter dreadfulness that haunts both the human mind and body when the season of winter holds everything in its grasp…” So begins the theme held within the 3rd album from Bergen based duo… Continue Reading →
Once upon a time … as ever with Carach Angren, stories are being told but they’re unlikely to find themselves on children’s television. In the past we’ve had shipwrecks and curses, and the horrors of the Second World War. We’re… Continue Reading →
There are times when a band’s own distinctiveness can become a millstone around their neck – when the unique path that they forged can, as the years progress, begin to resemble something of a creative straitjacket compelling them to continue… Continue Reading →
I made the statement after listening to Hegerøth’s 2012 ep “Spectral Fear” that I wanted to hear more. Here it is. The title refers to a place in Silesia where the Russian, Austro-Hungarian and German empires once converged. When I… Continue Reading →
Neptune Fragrance? Hmm, smells a bit fishy to me! Hahahahaha – Oh come on, like I’m the only reviewer who’s going to use THAT line? Besides, I reviewed VXM’s debut at the beginning of last year, so I feel I… Continue Reading →