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Few moments in a man’s life can, particularly the kind of bloke that would listen to Black Label Society, it be acceptable to be sad. One such moment that every man knows is the “thumbs up” scene in Terminator 2. However I digress, returning to more melancholic pastures Zakk Wylde once again opens his heart this year with The Book Of Shadows II. Grab an extra large sized tissue because this is a sad one.
Iconoclast’s of the modern day, Deftones are largely responsible for spearheading much what we know as today’s modern Metal. Having been around for thirty plus years the band have been slowly but surely adapting their sound without leaving their roots. Â Marrying the dirt ridden grooves from Stephen Carpenter with the shrill and drunken stumbling lyrics of Chino Moreno the band have come to create winning and esoteric formula. Returning from their four year sejourn at last the band create their follow up.
Of one of the worlds pioneering explorers, Shackleton’s story is an admirable one. Racing to the discovery of the North Pole. Owing to our pursuit of vested interests experimentation has become integrated in discovery. Previously achieving new heights with band Emperor the man essentially birthed a new sound in the oversaturated Black Metal aesthetic. Once again going against the grain the singer / songwriter shows us yet another facet to his limitless abstract ideals.
Somewhat of a phenomenon the rise to power of Babymetal is a particularly interesting story. Created from the remains of a talent show, producers brought together a band of sorts comprising of musicians and the three now iconic girls Su-Metal, Yui-Metal and Moametal Releasing their debut saw the band tour the world over, had bigger audiences than most would dream of and seemingly having the backing of some of the most well respected Metal elite. Now we arrive at the heralded Fox Day to join the Metal Resistance.
Manifested in limitless forms depression can be one of the most malicious ef entities. The metaphorical weight of the mind crippling the will for even the simplest of things. Present in life for centuries yet still foreign and misunderstood foe , bouts of hysteria may ebb and flow leaving the illusion of safety. Aiming to study this affliction Iamthemorning create Lightouse. Loosely based on the life of Virginia Woolf, the Russian duo welcome us into their world of introspection and fierce search for understanding.
Somewhat of an ambiguous word gravity’s meanings are manifold. Describing the severity of a situation, the idea of the physical property tethering to the planet. Now with their brand new album Caliban create their own meaning to the word. Returning since their Ghost Empire the band utilise all properties of their chosen title. Anvil heavy riffs, severe lyrical situations ensuring that they will captivate you in their gravitational pull.
Change can often be a jarring thing, set in the ways of comfort it can sometimes be a much needed reawakening a key to understanding the vision of what you set out to do. Beginning their career with singer Danny Worsnop, Asking Alexandria were ticking all of the right boxes until suddenly the singer announced his departure. Fracturing the band slightly his decision began the band’s search for his replacement. Coming in the form of Denis Stoff the man was known for his covers of the band’s songs and was tapped by guitarist Ben Bruce to usher in a new era for the band.
Tragedy as an art has manifested itself in countless different forms from the earliest Greeks, innovators of theatre, until the likes of Shakespeare brought the genre home. Amon Amarth like the great Greeks see beauty in tragedy. Lying closely together lyric and story often go hand in hand, giving rise particularly recently to concept records a sudden resurgence in the pastiche of the seventies seems to be a la mode. Known for their Viking heritage Amon Amarth have consistently delivered excellent songs, cementing their reputation as steadfast heavy weights in the Death Metal arena. Drawing on their influences, having told numerous tales of bravery and valour at last Amon Amarth begin their own story.