Totengeflüster – The Faceless Divine (2019) – Review

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Who works most in a band?

That’s right, the drummer. Especially metal drummers have a tough time keeping track of those often convoluted melodies. This leads to episodes like the misadventure of one Jukka Nevalainen, formerly of Nightwish. The man who lost all of his sleep over his mighty boom bins.

But worst off are the stick wielders of Black and Extreme Metal bands. That’s where folks often try to kill their bandmates with complicated drum patterns. It is of course also true that he or she works sitting down. But – boy – their job feels like being … [...] Click to raid more!

Insomnium – Heart Like a Grave (2019) – Review

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At first, Heart Like a Grave sounds like one of them Amon Amarth records. It is this straight-in-your-face, rumbling Death Metal that compares so well to the yonder icy tracks from the muscular and bearded ones. The only missing part is the dragonhead and the inevitable Viking longship.

So nope, this cannot be it. Instead, we – indeed – get a hefty dose of pretty stellar Insomnium. The type of Melodeath that does not take prisoners.

If you remember, Winter’s Gate already went Viking in 2016, much to the insane pleasure of the Norns. Insomnium set the bar … [...] Click to raid more!

Lindsay Schoolcraft – Martyr (2019) – Review

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The success of a band defines itself by the fan engagement it gets, on live events and any support medium currently available. It basically represents the sum of the actions of all its member musicians – and their hopefully outstanding contributions.

And many times you will find band members in these bands that seem to shine. And kinda stand out from the others, in the bright light the band and its brand disperses overall.

Then – suddenly – the shining ones decide to leave and tempt to go their own way. Either totally separate or as solo projects that will … [...] Click to raid more!

Video: Xaon release Eros!

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Xaon first got on the RMR metal detection radar with their EP Face of Balaam some years back. The full-length The Drift followed in 2017, which already showed tendencies of abject symphonics on a bed of crunchy metal.

Now, the band followed this up with a new record called Solipsis in 2019 that sadly escaped our review pipe until now. Well, never say never, and this reviewer may still find time to get to it until the year is out.

Yet, here I stumbled across their newest video Eros from the aforementioned album. The change in direction really hits you … [...] Click to raid more!