The UK's Most Dedicated Metal Blog
Despite what might be polarising opposites, subgenres are an example of community. United in their struggles, the common goal of a sense of unity brings disparate musical elements into the same boat. Any self respecting Metalhead will know the fierce loyalty represented in the Metal community could be applied to the likes of Dance or Jazz, perhaps even Country…
What defines a hero? Portrayed throughout culture all over the world as the men who are in spandex flying around in the air, the reality is something a lot more humble. Having become more than a household name among Metalhead’s, Alter Bridge are one of the biggest bands going. Celebrating their monumental release that was 2016’s The Last Hero the band have been achieving goals most would never dream of. With a headline sold out O2 performance in their back pocket, the band now look to repeating history with their huge main support slot for Aerosmith, Download Festival’s Sunday headliners.
Completing their latest voyage into the unknown, Alestorm have released their brand new record No Grave But The Sea. A combination of tom foolery and absolute genius, the record was a big surprise for me. Particularly since Pirate Metal was not really my thing, I have since been won over by the scallywags!
The idea of a concept within the music is not one that is far fetched. First appearing during the sixties, the idea was at large during the seventies via the Prog movement. It has since then been working its way into the DNA of Metal. Tied together by a what could be a story or running theme throughout the album. Opting for a slightly different take on the concept album, Carach Angren, a name inspired by one of the many fictional, Tolkien created languages are a band where concepts are at their core. Combining elements of Black Metal, Death Metal and Symphonic Metal, the trio made up of Seregor, Ardek and Namtar, have created a unique approach to not only song writing but story telling itself.
To be original in the year 2017 is a hard ask. With the sheer amount of bands that are freely available multiplying day by day, to do something different you have to really stand out of the crowd. Despite taking a leaf out of the Slipknot style book with their vocalist’s decision to wear masks for their EP, Loathe have since abandoned this sense of anonymity and taken to their own niche.
Mainstays in the Progressive category, Pain of Salvation have been somewhat absent from the Prog arena for a while, however 2017 has broken their temporary silence with the release of their brand new album In The Passing Light of Day. As with almost Pain of Salvation records, there lies a concept. Particularly close to home, the new album aims to convey the emotions that are allied with the idea of acceptance of your own mortality.
The hardships of being a band are all too familiar a story in the world of Metal. Almost expected to bare the brunt of it, young bands find it incredibly hard not only to to tour but to actually be able to make a living in the modern day. Making the idea of “breaking through” an ideal that can sometimes not even be a possibility. Thinking laterally, one Tim Charles of Ne Obliviscaris may have the answer all bands are searching for. Hailing from Australia and on the indie label Season of Mist the band were suffering the financial woes of being a band in 2016 / 2017. Launching the idea of Patreon, Charles thought up the idea of a true engagement with fans. Understanding their needs and the band’s both parties work together in ensuring both coexist peacefully. However before that the band have returned from their most recent of travels.
Releasing their brand new album Atonement back in February, Immolation have taken even more steps to becoming one of the most volatile Death Metal forces in the world.