It is such a rare feat these days that a band can boast a back catalogue of such highly acclaimed albums. Nightwish’s career has not stagnated once in their nearly 20 years of existence, and despite highly publicised vocalist changes that has quartered the fanbases, their popularity has gone nothing but up. Why? Their music is simply immense. So here we are with album number 8, but after throwing so much into their previous effort ‘Imaginaerum‘, have the band finally run out of steam?
Album Review : Psycroptic – Psycroptic
The self titled album, a statement of identity and dominance. The territorial assurance representing the band’s ethos,having well and truly crafted a niche for themselves already.Psycroptic’s self titled effort proves that they are not only untouchable, but are still innovative.
Album Review : Enslaved – In Times
Throughout history, man has questioned its existence, from the tenacity of the Greek’s to the Tolstoy’s and Nietzsche’s of the world. Tackling such a charged subject, people often fall short. Due in part to its magnitude, the sheer weight of the philosophical thoughts and now it seems that Enslaved are revealing what they deem to be their philosophical interpretations in the form of In Times.
Album Review: Ensiferum – One Man Army
The last time Ensiferum were given 3 years to record an album we got ‘Unsung Heroes‘, and effort from the folk metal titans that was arguably weak for a band that has produced some smashing albums in the past. Again the band have had a 3 year gap to write an new album, although there is a fundamental difference with this one, and that is the band are debuting on a brand new label, Metal Blade. Surely the pressure is on this time to justify a new contract with a new label? Let’s see how the new album ‘One Man Army‘ weighs up…
Album Review : Melechesh – Enki
Album Review : Carach Angren – This Is No Fairytale
Classic horror. Legends of Michael Myers, Jason Vorhees and of course the iconic Leatherface. Some of the most terrifying figureheads of the horror genre. An essential criteria of horror, has always been the fear of the unstoppable. Often pitted against a person of fragility. Make no mistake, This Is No Fairytale is one of the darkest records you will hear this year. I shan’t spoil the story for those who’ve yet to hear, let’s just say it’s a tale of manipulation of innocence that takes turn for the worse…
Album Review: Blind Guardian – Beyond The Red Mirror
The gaps between albums for Blind Guardian feel like an eternity. Every year we seem to ask ourselves ‘when is Blind Guardian releasing new music?’ and continue to get frustrated that we can’t really see anything happening. Yet when that album emerges, through the years we have constantly told ourselves that is was damn well worth the wait. This has been a very unique consistency about Blind Guardian throughout their 30 year plus career, as it is hard to pick out an album that isn’t fantastic in their back catalogue. Finally it’s a year for new Blind Guardian, and whilst we know legs can get tired, can the band still bring us another masterpiece as they have done so time and time again with ‘Beyond The Red Mirror‘?
Album Review: Angra – Secret Garden
It is yet another new era for Angra.