Ascension – Under the Veil of Madness (2023) – Review

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Power Metal. Most folks either love or hate it and there’s almost no in-between. Unless you work @ RMR, of course. But even here it’s complicated. We do love AND hate it, believe it or not. Or love to hate it, or vice versa. Yet again, the RMR crew adopted a fair number of Power Metal pieces over the years, so the hate won’t reach too far. It must be that closet fan thing you do late at night when nobody’s watching. The booty we amassed to date ranges from truly excellent fare, over runaway and over-the-top Mad Max [...] Click to raid more!

Frozen Crown – Call of the North (2023) – Review

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Frozen Crown - Call of the North - Album Review

Frozen Crown floated about the outer edges of our recordscape for a few years. And yet, their wares never quite connected with the cranky folks over at the review desk. But I’d like to stress that Frozen Crown‘s earlier records – The Fallen King, Crowned in Frost, and Winterbane – got duly checked out nonetheless.

So, Call of the North came along somewhat at the last minute. And once it hit our music machine over here, we just kinda sat there in a trance. It was one of those rare Holy Metal Cow moments. This record indeed … [...] Click to raid more!

As Light Dies – The Laniakea Architecture, Volume II (2023) – Review

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The RMR crew had their share of intricate metal pieces to review that strained to make sense. So, one day this early 2023, some RMR hands peacefully rummaged about the moldy lost corners of our review pipe. Just to discover that the Spaniards of As Light Dies brutally struck again.

And I freely admit it here for the record, The Laniakea Architecture, Volume II must be one of the most challenging records this crew ever attacked. This is no album for the faint of heart – and it probably belongs into the realm of Trve Metalheads ov the Weird. Oblivion … [...] 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!