Author Archives: RockmusicRaider

Ljungblut’s excursion to Sauda!

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Ljungblut Sauda Album Cover

A few weeks ago I went to the movies. Le Otto Montagne1 the film was called, and it played in Italian language only. A zero-action piece so contrary to the usual overwrought Hollywood productions, it almost hurt. Powerfully grand yet quiet pictures of mighty mountains, raw nature, and locals trying to eke out a living from this picturesque tract of land near to the Swiss border. A movie that had an almost visceral effect on many of the viewers. And what – at first – felt boring and bland, morphed into a potent almost overpowering impression of roaring silence. … [...] Click to raid more!

Arch Enemy – Deceivers (2022) – Review

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Procrastination. Fueled by your fears of the consequences your actions could have. At least, that’s one of the definitions for this sometimes persistent lack of activity. And what does that have to do with the price of butter on a metal record? Well, read on – we’re getting there. Promised.

The RMR crew started on Arch Enemy with War Eternal. The debut album with Alissa White-Gluz after Angela Gossow left for bigger and better things. This record generated a mighty metal heap of enthusiasm over here. True oomph with a bobcat delivery of a new vocalist with an affinity … [...] Click to raid more!

Insomnium – Anno 1696 (2023) – Review

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Since the RMR webzine saw the light of day, Insomnium always was a sure value. Their slightly melancholic yet stately brand of Melodic Death Metal gorging on Niilo Sevänen‘s gruff croaks, a smattering of clears, and stellar weeping guitar work always got on our good side. And I daresay, this band probably was instrumental in getting yours truly’s ass in gear to hunt for more melodeath than is good for metal health.1

The most impressive records that crossed the RMR Review committee’s desk definitely were Shadows of the Dying Sun and the excellent Winter’s Gate. But after … [...] Click to raid more!

Sarcoptes – Prayers to Oblivion (2023) – Review

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Sarcoptes do like it dreary – and brutal to a fine point. Already their rough-hewn EP Plague Hymns was a friggin’ scorcher and it landed them straight on the 2020 Top 3 year-end list for EPs.

And the band truly does like its themes, too. There’s no light or joy left in that dystopian and depressive end-of-world view of theirs. Grim topics such as disease, endless war, massacres, and catastrophes abound. That’s their daily rotten bread. All of that served with a mighty stew of gore and tribulation and an avalanche of energy to turn Anaal Nathrakh yellow1 with … [...] Click to raid more!