Category Archives: Reviews M – Z

Sorcerer – In the Shadow of the Inverted Cross (2015) – Review

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Yo, Baby, where u been all my life? 

A crystal clear mix of Heavy and Doom Metal pours out of my earphones and just startled me awake. Oscillating between these two styles, but leaning more towards the doomy mix of nuts served with this Metal Long Island Ice Tea. 

A long time in the making, the new album In the Shadow of the Inverted Cross of the Swedish Metal Band Sorcerer is like a bunch of vitamins to a somewhat neglected field of this metal universe. Dark, magical, stepping right out of the mists of the treacherous moor onto the stage.

I am so pleased that they … [...] Click to raid more!

Moonspell – Extinct (2015) – Review

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Whoa! What a nice slab of metal! When I first started to listen to the 11th full length album Extinct of the Portuguese band Moonspell, it did not impress me much. The record just did not stick. But then their tune started to get glued to the inside of my eardrums. And slowly, but surely got into my mind and bloodstream somehow. What the hell? Some fucking voodoo right there.

The more you listen to the album, the more it grows on ye. Mind you, it is not ‘conquer by attrition’, but you need some peace and leisure to really listen to what is there. … [...] Click to raid more!

Nightwish – Endless Forms Most Beautiful (2015) – Review

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They kept their brand alive, yet again. My fears that this time we would be faced with something entirely different did not materialize. But this very same and familiar style is presented with an added edge to boot.

The album is darker and more direct, a tad louder than before. You will also find a distinct or – shall we say – pretty heavy use of symphonic and folk elements. Which is yet another hallmark of their 8th full-length studio album Endless Forms Most Beautiful. So, this is undeniably Nightwish, but refreshingly different from their last record Imaginaerum… [...] Click to raid more!

Xandria – India (2005) – Review

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Xandria - India - Album Cover

When I read the late Twitter message from the German band Xandria a few days ago that they are now – in 2015 – heading out to India for the first time. That struck me as somewhat ironic. And this of course in light of their 2005 record and 3rd studio album India that has been on the market for … almost 10 years now. 

After their very successful 2nd album Ravenheart, it must have been decidedly difficult to create a fitting follow-on record to an already successful former offering. And – in addition – just about a short … [...] Click to raid more!