Tag Archives: 9/10

Steven Wilson – Hand. Cannot. Erase. (2015) – Review

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2015 is over and now I continue to unearth all these hidden gems that somehow went missing last year. And I am unhappy to say that I really missed that one.

Hand. Cannot. Erase. from Progressive Rock and Metal adept Steven Wilson is a very special piece of work. In fact, you will find a lot of early progressive hooks on this disk, sometimes with flavors of old prog masters mixed into all that. But I was not very confident that Steven Wilson could indeed release a new album that would blow the 2013 The Raven That Refused to Sing (And Other … [...] Click to raid more!

Krokus – Headhunter (1983) – Review

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Krokus spawned a few remarkable records in their early days. Names like Pay It In Metal, Hardware (to a lesser extent), Metal Rendez-Vous still resound to this day. The latter caused this reviewer to seriously veer towards this band, by the way. And it makes sweaty, rocky concerts in “the pit” come back to memory.

But nothing mentioned before really blew the true Heavy Metal record Headhunter of 1983 out of the water, their 7th studio album. Not equaled then, and not ever since. And – clearly – the record was a true forerunner to what was to become speed and thrash. Metallica was already at it, but this was early stages.… [...] Click to raid more!

Batushka – Litourgyia (2015) – Review

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Da Pacem Domine?1

For sure not in Batushka‘s first studio record Litourgyia. This album is going to get feistier as it progresses. And it has this friggin’ tendency to keep you on your toes, and not grant you one tranquil moment to calm down and contemplate your situation.

Do we have your undivided attention now?

And I quote: “Band members are unknown, but they are from well-known bands.” We are told that the band is – supposedly – from Poland. And this fits, and it does not bode well. There’s trouble looming over the horizon. Which … [...] Click to raid more!

Zierler – ESC (2015) – Review

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Do you think that you found your progressive nirvana with Guilt Machine, Leprous, Ayreon, or Opeth? 

Well, nope.

Zierler‘s ESC builds back better. Right? Or worse, depending on how you look at it. Or more complex? Too complex? All of the above? Or nothing at all of value.

Well, this is the confusing message this record projects at the first listen until you wrap your mind around it. And it will improve with age. You just need to give it some time to mature – like old wine. And as you progress, you will discover new bits and pieces.… [...] Click to raid more!