Metal Blade – The Metalist

Album Review : Nova Collective – The Further Side

March 8, 2017 No Comments

Orienteering, aside from being incredibly boring, is also incredibly hard. For those who aren’t Bear Grylls reading the signs of the setting sun in the west, drinking urine and checking compasses really won’t do! Similarly at times the listener can get lost, particularly in the treacherous environment of Prog. Banding together to deliver something entirely different we welcome Nova Collective, our metaphorical compasses to help guide us through the labyrinthine layers of Prog.

Reviews

Album Review : Six Feet Under – Torment

February 24, 2017 No Comments

The idea of dualism in human nature is one as old as time itself. The concept of the ying and the yang, without one, you cannot understand the other. Once more returning back from the undead studio Six Feet Under unleash their study in the art of balance, Torment.

Featured, Interviews

An Interview With : Ben Savage (Whitechapel)

December 16, 2016 No Comments

A lot can happen in ten years. Celebrating their decennium this year, Whitechapel commemorate the moment with their brand new ripper Mark Of The Blade. With subject matter ranging from personal issues to the more inclusive fierce fan base the band have developed. Regardless of whatever genre you might be in, to be carrying on for ten years deserves a pat on the back. However Whitechapel are special kind of entity, one that has since grown with each release. Pushing their sound forward, whilst remaining the same. Getting flack for the incorporation of (shock horror) clean vocals on their latest album, it seems that these are just minor issues that fans will of course get their heads around. Catching the band on their Never Say Die headline run of shows we were able to speak to guitarist Ben Savage about just what Mark of The Blade means to the band and of course their fans.

Featured, News

Album of The Year #15 : Revocation – Great Is Our Sin

December 15, 2016 No Comments

Now having gone further than the halfway line in our Christmas Album of The Year Countdown we continue with a new breed of Death Metal pedigree in the form of Revocation. Check out the list to see a more in depth analysis of why we chose each below!

Iamthemorning – Lighthouse
Myrath – Legacy
Touche Amore – Stage Four
Ghost/Aeon – Metanoia
Meshuggah – The Violent Sleep Of Reason
Avantasia – Ghostlights
Gojira – Magma
Devilment – II : The Mephisto Waltzes
The Dillinger Escape Plan – Dissociation
Periphery – III : Select Difficulty
Opeth – Sorceress
Epica – The Holographic Principle
Katatonia – The Fall Of Hearts
Twilight Force – Heroes Of Mighty Magic

Returning back to the vanguard of Death Metal, Revocation wasted no time this year in delivering their calculated masterstroke of Metal once again. Like clockwork the band put out albums every two years. Deciding instead go for a more well rounded approach this time, Dave Davidson decided that thematically the record would center around humanity and its varying degrees of idiocy in its idea of humanity in itself. However this was also the first record not to feature long time drummer Phil Dubois-Coyne. Enlisting the help of one Ash Pearson of previous 3 Inches of Blood fame, the drummer in a word totally floored everyone. From the fluttering Jazz style beats to the all out blasting that Revocation are known for Pearson truly stepped up his game.

News

Whitechapel, Cattle Decapitation, Goatwhore And Allegaeon Announce Tour

December 13, 2016 No Comments

What a way to celebrate Metal Blade’s 35th anniversary.

Featured, Interviews

An Interview With : Brody Uttley (Rivers Of Nihil)

December 9, 2016 No Comments

Creating somewhat of a notoriety among the Death Metal scene in the US, Rivers of Nihil are fast becoming a leading band in the revolution of modern Death Metal. A revitalised sound, each album is anchored in the hallmarks of the Death Metal charm, yet with their latest album, 2015’s Monarchy Progressive elements have begun to infiltrate the band’s sound. On their first ever European tour, we were lucky enough to be able to speak to Rivers of Nihil guitarist Brody Uttley. Though you would imagine both western territories of Europe and the US would be similar each is a very different ordeal. Frought with new challenges on the road we spoke about everything from David Bowie to the four songs the band have written for their brand new album and the importance of the seasons in Rivers of Nihil’s thematic tapestry.

Reviews

Album Review : Serpentine Dominion – Serpentine Dominion

December 1, 2016 No Comments

The idea of friendship is something that can sometimes get lost in translation in the creation of music. Born from their touring time together at Rockstar’s Mayhem Festival, the unlikely combination of George Fischer, Adam Dutkiewicsz and Shannon Lucas formed a bond built on those most sturdy of things Metal. Bringing together their musical outputs the band at long last release their first foray into the unknown as Serpentine Dominion.

Reviews

Album Review : Abnormality – Mechanisms Of Omniscience

April 26, 2016 No Comments

Intensity has become a indispensable element of Death Metal. Known for its sheer sense of ferocity, tip toeing trepidatiously on the outskirts some are pulled into the maelstrom that is the epicentre of Death Metal. This where the men are separated from the boys, sticking to its steadfast foundations we see the arrival of Abnormality’s Metal Blade debut, Mechanisms of Omniscience.