AMON AMARTH

Twilight Of The Thunder God

Many people don't really understand a genesis of this great success that AMON AMARTH have undoubtedly achieved in the metal music industry. Indirectly, it's probably one of the best promoted bands these days, although Metal Blade aren't idiots but efficient, well- experienced businessmen who are very much aware that's a profitable investment. And so far they have been absolutely right! More...

INTO ETERNITY

The Incurable Tragedy

Canadian prog-death power-metal commando checks in with the successor to "The Scattering of the Ashes." Label advertises the fifth full album of the team led by Tim Roth as the first concept album in IE career I have to admit that it's a classical overstatement. Of course lyrics has been inspired by dramatic events from the life of the band's leader. At the end of 2006, two of his friends, both brothers within a month departed from this world after an unequal fight with most cruel of the diseases - cancer. A month later, the father of guitarist, also lost his life after the fight against cancer. It's difficult to ignore such accumulation of personal tragedies. It's hard not to ask questions. It is difficult not to try reasonably explain what happened. More...

HACKNEYED

Death Prevails

Sooner or later it must have had happened. And even though I hoped that metal-oriented labels won’t reach such a low level, I have to admit that it was based on really frail foundations. I am not so naive to believe that this band gets a chance to release material under the flag of a well-known label only because the artistic value of it's work is so high. I know that there's a big and merciless business behind the pictures of long haired idols on the covers of magazines or album of the month awards. But somewhere deep I still believed that there's also a place for real passion. And metal mainstream's bosses are not completely blinded with a greed of gain. That there's a room for what is authentic and sincere. More...

ALL SHALL PERISH

Awaken The Dreamers

Damn me. Deathcore commando from Oakland really surprised me. The successor to quite decent "The Price of Existence" may be seen be the one of the most interesting modern metal albums, which were published in 2008. 12 compositions packed in the third, full-length album from California team may be called a deathcore hit parade. ALL SHALL PERISH decided to build their new stuff upon melody and diversity. More...

DESTRUCTION

D E V O L U T I O N

German thrash veterans celebrate their 25th anniversary in style. Last year they’ve started the party with the collection of re-recorded immortal classics „Thrash Anthems”. It was a solid starter indeed. But now the time has come for the main course. „D.E.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N.” is fifth – and in my opinion one of the best – album in band’s new era. Since 2000 Schmier and Co. always deliver quality old fashioned thrash metal. It’s no different this time. But in my opinion the new stuff is a little bit more vital and frisky then 2005’s „Inventor of Evil”. More...

DAYLIGHT DIES

Lost To The Living

While I’m listening to North Carolina doomsters’ third, full-length album my thoughts instinctively float back to the early 90’s. Those were the times when I discovered the beauty of such a classics like „Gothic”, „Clouds” or „Turn Loose The Swans”. It was something new, fresh and inspiring. In 1995 MOONSPELL’s mighty „Wolfheart” sealed the triumph of melancholic, dark and romantic metal. Soon after that – like many other genres – doom/death sunk into the depth of repeatibility and affectation. However some of the 90’s top bands still deliver top quality music, it’s quite uneasy to mention only few interesting newcomers that may be potentially as influential as their glorius forerunners. So without any doubts – in such unfavourable circumstances - DAYLIGHT DIES seems to be one of the genre’s biggest hops. More...

BLAZE BAYLEY

The Man Who Would Not Die

I keep my fingers crossed for success of Bayley’s new album. Not only on the musical level – however it’s one of the best heavy metal albums that I’ve heard in recent months, but also on personal level. As you all probably know last few years were quite hard for the guy who replaced Bruce Dickinson in MAIDEN. His band BLAZE broke-up and his ex-label left him with no deal. But this is tough guy. And what didn’t kill him, only made him stronger. More...

EVERGREY

Torn

Although I don't have anything against EVERGREY latest effort ("Monday Morning Apocalypse" was not a bad album at all), I prefer their previous works. Especially released in 2003, epic metal masterpiece „Recreation Day” which is not only the best release of these ambitious Swedes, but also one of the best in that genre. Reaching a peak in terms of songwriting and sound quality, the band proved their ability to create world-class music then... Five years after the release of „Recreation Day” EVERGREY would like to present you their seventh studio album called „Thorn” which can be described as the next logical step in their career, but it also does not stray from what „Recreation Day” is renowned for- epic metal at its best! More...

PRO PAIN

No End In Sight

Frankly speaking I always appreciated the way Meskil and his comrades blended hard core, metal and rock’n’roll elements in their music. It was their trade mark since the very beginnings. High energetic cocktail served on legendary “Foul taste of Freedom” and “The Truth Hurts” secured band’s position among top NYHC acts. Even the previous album “Age of Tyranny/The Tenth Crusade” was a good antidote after listening to all those modern-boring-beefy metalcore acts. Vital force and authentic anger emanated from songs like “The New Reality” or “All for King George”. Band seemed to be in really good shape. So my expectations connected with their eleventh studio effort were quite high. More...

HAIL OF BULLETS

Of Frost And War

There is no doubt that HAIL OF BULLETS debut album is one of the most important releases on the European death metal scene in 2008. Just try to imagine a band featuring members of such great acts as PESTILENCE, ASPHYX, THANATOS and GOREFEST. Does it not sound good enough to you? You may be seriously wrong looking for something here. There's no emo stuff hidden behind HAIL OF BULLETS name. So, go to listen to your favorite metalcore hero and don't bother me anymore... More...