Smokey Fingers – Promised Land (2016) – Review

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Sometimes it does the soul good to be transported to yonder laid-back times of Easy Rider (the film), Doc Hollyday, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and the likes. Just makes you want to put on your cowboy boots, hunt for these tight jeans, don a Stetson, and go a-cruisin’. Down them dusty highways, across broken service stations to stop at a saloon in a windy town for beers, burgers, and fun.

Now, when I first saw the trailer Smokey Fingers issued, and these guys talked in Italian, I scratched my head, not sure where this was all heading.

But then [...] Click to raid more!

Stormtide – Wrath of an Empire (2016) – Review

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The Chinese are loose in the fantasy metal universe. Or are they? And how does this all fit into a Viking fighting longship, dragon head and all?

Well, it doesn’t.

The tune reaches us from down under. The Aussie band Stormtide are hitting the world with their debut full-length album Wrath of an Empire. And it is all about that one old question.

How can you differentiate yourself from the Symphonic Death Metal and Fantasy Metal crowd out there?

Well, first, Stormtide sail dangerously close to Amon Amarth and Whispered. Then, mix this with an almost Amaranthe-esque [...] Click to raid more!

Thrawsunblat – Metachthonia (2016) – Review

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Risen from the ashes of the defunct band Woods of Ypres a few years ago, the Canadian band Thrawsunblat just took the locks off their newest, third 2016 full-length release Metachthonia.

I am always looking for interesting tidbits and elements in a band that will contribute to an elevated level of metal nirvana.

And I found some. The band’s interesting choice of a female drummer – Rae Amitay – for sure puts even more spice into an already interesting record. Not often found in those male-dominated waters, female drumstick wielders usually turn out better than their male counterparts. The proverbial female touch and no exception here.

If the lore [...] Click to raid more!

Panychida – Haereticalia – The Night Battles (2016) – Review

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At first Haereticalia – The Night Battles of the Czech outfit Panychida, just sounds like any other Symphonic Metal band trying their often frugal orchestral muscle out on the unsuspecting fan crowd.

Already the intro waltzes away like something straight from Central Europe, somewhat of a baroque classical style with a slightly Austrian touch.

Which makes sense to an extent.

Panychida are joining us from Plzeň in the Czech Republic. An area, more known for its beer, classical music (not metal, sadly), and loads of history. So, you kind of wonder where this is all going. Until the evil twins from Shining step in with a [...] Click to raid more!