Category Archives: Reviews M – Z

Metallica – Hardwired…To Self-Destruct (2016) – Review

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It is their number 10 in over thirty years, right? Well, fuck me running. This feels like yesterday when we first started to listen to their sound.

And Hardwired…To Self-Destruct – managed through Metallica‘s vanity label Blackened Recordings – comes along some 8 years after their last full-length record. They are taking their sweet time, don’t they? But then, they always have. 

When Metallica started their run for fame with their debut Kill ’em All we thought that this was about it. Seemingly confirmed by their unimpressive sophomore Ride the Lightning, the excellent #3 called Master of Puppets surprised back then and still does … [...] Click to raid more!

Sirenia – Dim Days of Dolor (2016) – Review

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To look at Sirenia these days is like reliving the events around Leaves’ Eyes all over again. If you remember, out rocketed Liv Kristine earlier this year, and in came the Goth Chick from the East. And it was lightning fast, with – apparently – no prior notice to the victim in this play of villains.

In the context of Sirenia, it is Aylin Gimenez getting the boot in a tearing hurry. She actually stayed longest with the band, as female fronts go. In the past all leads left after an album or so, stating a variety of reasons. This kind of sounds … [...] Click to raid more!

The Gentle Storm – The Diary (2015) – Review

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Here I am going to hunt – for once – well outside of my usual haunts and dark forests of yonder badlands. Lost at sea, like Jack Sparrow with his compass pointing to nowhere. And this lands us back in spice trade nirvana, with creaking planks, and salted beef for supper. 

This new endeavor all started when I heard about a double-concept album called The Diary. Released under the name of The Gentle Storm, featuring Anneke Van Giersbergen (a long time ago with The Gathering, Devin Townsend, Ayreon, and solo) as the vocalist, and Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon, Stream of … [...] Click to raid more!

UFO – Lights Out (1977) – Review

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I admit, the British rock band UFO is one of my long-time favorites. They have created great, great Hard Rock over time and helped pave the way into what is today called metal. 

One of the best periods in the distinguished career of UFO are indisputably the Schenker years. Back in the ’70s, a super-gifted young lad, almost too young to be that good a guitarist, joined this band led by Phil Mogg in search of a riff maker.

Who better to choose than German-born Michael Schenker, a founding member of the Scorpions. Anecdotally, Michael’s brother Rudolf still plays … [...] Click to raid more!