Metal as a subculture has always been under fire from the more conformist of ideologies. With rebellion in its foundations Metal is a vessel to break away from the norms of societies sometimes isolating those with a more open mind in the eyes of the mass. Coming up trumps in the Metal subgenres, Black Metal is its own following in itself. Created as a protest against religion the genre is a magnet to controversy. Set to release their brand new album Where Shadows Forever Reign on June 3rd (Century Media), Dark Funeral will mark their return after a six year absence. We were lucky enough to be able to speak to composer and geniune Black Metal maestro Lord Ahriman about an in depth look at the writing process and the controversy surrounding Black Metal and its censorship particularly in Russia.
Album Review: Tarja – The Brightest Void
It’s been over 10 years since Tarja Turunen was sent packing from one of the world’s largest metal acts, Nightwish. It’s only natural that fans would bring up the issue and make comparisons to her former band, but Tarja has been striving to be a single entity over the last decade, and not one with a stigma attached. We look at the first part of her two part release, ‘The Brightest Void‘.
Haken Live At The Garage : Live Review
Understanding within a band is simply crucial, creating a palpable sound that immediately enraptures the listener comes from understanding. Finalising their line up with Conner Green, Haken have truly understood both their purpose and their sound. Demonstrating their flawless musicianship the band arrive in Islington on the second date of their Affinitour tonight for a banquet of progressive musical tones.
Album Review : Lacuna Coil – Delirium
Insanities can manifest themselves in many different forms. From the everyday hustle and bustle of life to more impactful situations which can have a knock on effect to create entities the likes of depression. It can be a malleable and incredibly hard foe to tackle which is ever present throughout life whatever form it might be. Taking madness as their muse Lacuna Coil play with the idea on their brand new record Delirium.
Album Review : Architects – All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us
Anger can be a limitless resource fuelling endeavours with avidity. Architects have long since been striving towards where they stand today, set to release their brand new album All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us the growing pains experienced by the band have led them to become a unit now solidified by the addition of guitarist Adam Christianson the Brighton quintet look to indignation in delivering their brand new record.
Album Review : Death Angel – The Evil Divide
Music itself could be considered cyclical, an ever changing entity feeds off history, culture and aggression. Asserting it dominance in the late eighties Thrash Metal was a force to be reckoned with. Returning from the graves of the Ultra Violence Death Angel forcefully kicked down the door once again asserting their dominance within the scene. With a three year gap between previous effort The Dream Call For Blood the band bare their teeth once again with The Evil Divide.
Live Review: Zhrine + Severed + Audn
With such an outstanding debut album, it only makes sense that black metallers Zhrine sail the seas to present their ominous and eerie string of notes on a live stage. Tonight they perform the intimate Black Heart venue in London along with Icelandic comrades Severed and Audn.
2016 Best Music Releases So Far
2016 certainly has thrown down the gauntlet in terms of Metal releases. Despite us only just coming into the month of June so far we have had some absolutely astounding releases. From comebacks to phenomenal debuts, expansive work to avant garde madness this is a list chronicling just some of the newest releases this year. Today we will be looking at some of the releases from the first third of the year and boy are there some truly top additions.