Christmas in July…(in August)

Ho ho ho dear readers! It’s time for Christmas in July! Do you like new music! Here’s a crapton! This was supposed to go out in July, so you can imagine how frustrated I am that it is now nearing the end of August. But it’s never too late for presents! Click a present below to see what’s inside:

This is why I have a caffeine addiction sheesh

An Angel for the Tree (Sacred Music)

Angelic voices abound with two new records from our dear Benedictines from Gower; a welcome gift for any soul:

Martyrs at Ephesus

My dear St. Cecilia adorns the cover of this one, and we have another excellent release from the angelic voices of the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles. This record has been a close companion of mine these past weeks as I have done much traveling, and need something to block out the noise of airports, airplanes, hotels and the like in order to pray and meditate. If you are familiar with these sisters, then nothing in this record will surprise you. I especially enjoy the two settings of Cantantibus Organis, and am glad to hear some hymns in English, most especially For All The Saints and Faith of Our Fathers.

Sister Wilhelmina at Ephesus

Given the fascinating story of Sister Wilhelmina, it’s only fitting that the sisters release a record in her honour as well. In truth, when this was announced, I could have sworn it was going to be a Requiem, with some other stuff added as well. Imagine my surprise when it was nothing of the sort! Still, there is much joy to be found here. I especially like the chanting of the Litany of Loreto, as the sisters emphasise by repetition certain titles, such as Queen of Apostles. I also enjoy I’ll Seek His Face. However, the sisters try some interesting pieces to honour Sister Wilhelmina that while admirable, don’t really work well. The last two tracks are not great, and really kind of make me laugh. It sounds just like you’d imagine these sisters singing a spiritual would sound. No matter, there is still much peaceful music to enjoy, including original compositions of the sisters worth checking out.

2.

Toy Soldiers (Trad Metal)

There are many bands here to carry the trve metal banner into battle! Your present is all the TEN trad/speed metal records I’ve explored this year, with varying degrees of quality…

Judas Priest: Invincible Shield 7.5/10

You can go read my post in the Old Wave of British Heavy Metal, but my enjoyment of this record has only increased over time. I had the pleasure of seeing Judas Priest a few months back and they blew me away. The young blood on guitars can really play (even if overplaying at times) and Halford has it when it counts. They completely outshined Sabaton, and I like Sabaton! Safe to say that 50 years on Judas Priest is still a force to be reckoned with in a genre they practically invented.

Saxon: Hell, Fire and Damnation 7/10

I think I like this just a tad bit more than I did when I first reviewed. The songs I liked best I like even more, and the weaker tracks are more easily forgotten. The only thing that really upsets me is the lack of oxford comma in the album title. It’s so confusing!

I AM THE INTIMIDATOR: I AM THE INTIMIDATOR 7/10

ALL CAPS ACTIVATED! Look if you can’t tell what this album is about by the all caps title and band name, and that absolutely ridiculous cover art then I don’t know what to tell you. We’re here to swing swords, drive cars, and drink gasoline! Okay maybe not that last one but we need some high-octane fuel here. I had a lot of fun with this one. This gas-guzzling monster keeps its engine in the rear though, as the back half is where the album really shines. Cuts like the title I AM THE INTIMIDATOR, the Neal Breen titled I AM HERE…NOW  and CRYING FROM THE ABYSS are all fantastic and elevate the back of this to another level. Maybe a bit too much profanity for my taste, but aside from that this is fun and swift ride.

Traveler: Prequel to Madness 6/10

Short and sweet rip-roaring metal. Clocking in at under 40 minutes, the brevity of this record is certainly appreciated. Traveler can certainly amp up the energy with joyful and earwormy tracks that are solid and pleasing to any fans of that era of metal. Despite this consistency, Traveler does little to wow me, so it slots right in this box with yet another middling score. It’s certainly worth the listen, but not winning any awards here. Title track is killer though.

Riot V: Mean Streets 6.5/10

Baby seals are back! I saw Riot, or Riot V as this iteration is calling themselves last year and it was a blast. I especially loved the “God bless” at the end. These guys can still rip, and the twin guitars are as fun as ever. Mean Streets doesn’t offer a whole lot new, but it is consistently solid speed metal that shows the boys still got chops. I think the back half is better than the first, and tracks like Mean Streets, High Noon, and Mortal Eyes make the whole thing worth a few spins.

Attacker: The God Particle 6/10

Am I reading this correctly? Attacker? Like from the 80’s?? Yup…well, sort of. Drummer is the only original member with a bunch of hired guns. However, they could’ve fooled me, as this sounds like Attacker all right! Their album The Battle at Helm’s Deep is a favourite of mine and I listen to The Hermit fairly regularly. This album is fine. It’s about as good or a little better than the Accept record above. All band members are in good speed metal form and it tears through the material at breakneck speed.

Accept: Humanoid 6/10

In terms of the great bands of trad metal yore, it seems that Accept seems to be forgotten as one of the genre giants. It’s a shame too, as they have a discography that I would put up against almost any band from that era, beaten out only by the titans Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. And in reality, Accept have been more consistent that those two. Humanoid is another entry that slots well into their impressive collection. It’s the same formula, and whilst not reaching the heights of their early output, is still a pleasing and raucous romp through trad metal territory. I quite like the track Unbreakable, and most of the album is a fun run that will get you back to listening to old Accept.

Bruce Dickinson: The Mandrake Project 4/10

I have yet to return to this since the old review, but I leave it here in case any fans of Bruce are itching to be disappointed. It’s not good, and not really worth anyone’s time.

Greyhawk: Thunderheart 5/10

I hear this album getting a lot of praise, and I can certainly see why, but at the end of the day it just doesn’t do it for it me. It’s just too generic hard rock that offers very little that is interesting or inventive. The vocals are not good, and it just sounds like I’ve heard it all before. It’s not entirely bad, there’s definitely some skill to be heard here, but it’s not particularly good either. Perhaps more records will show this band with a little more oomph, but as for now I find it very mediocre.

Show N Tell: The Ritual Has Begun 6.5/10

I honestly thought this band might be from the 80’s with that stylisation and album cover. But nope! This is their debut…that is intentionally trying to be 80’s speed metal. When it comes to speed, that is really Show n’ Tell’s strength. The faster cuts absolute rip, and show off impressive guitarwork and drums. The band is rough around the edges when they slow things down though, so the album remains inconsistent. The high-pitched screams get tiresome by the end as well. Still, this was certainly exciting and catchy and worth a few spins. There’s a track called Heavy Metal, what did you expect?

3

A Wooden Sword (Power Metal)

Strap on your battle belts folks, you’ve chosen war! Here is all the cheesy epic power metal from this year so far. (Yes, I realise Dream Evil and Hammerfall have dropped records…I haven’t gotten around to those yet.

Seven Spires- A Fortress Called Home- 9/10

Dumping this in the generic power-metal tag is not fair to what this really is, as Adrienne and crew cycle through any number of styles, but alas categories are hard. I placed it here to bring up the scores of an otherwise disappointing section. I know I wrote a book in review of this record, so I’ll keep this one short. I love it! I love it even more with every listen. It is the #1 contender for album of the year, and you need to listen to it now. All bow before Adrienne Cowan, Queen of Metal!

(ps. this demands a high quality audio set-up to get the full experience. You wanna hear those flutes and harps and multiple more Adriennes filling out the mix).

Unleash the Archers- Phantoma- 6.5/10

I may have been too harsh in my review of this record, but I will keep the score the same. The high points are high indeed, and I still love Green & Glass and the title track, but the forgettable parts are forgettable indeed. Still excited to see them in a few weeks.

Firewind- Stand United 6/10

Firewind is a band that I just never sunk my teeth that deep into. Their debut is fantastic, and Gus G is plating his booty off, but I can’t say I’ve kept up with their discography too much. This album was fine, but only just fine. I like a few tracks such as the title, but funnily enough my favourite part was the cover of Talking in Your Sleep. Oh well, I guess. Bands have to do a lot to stand out from so much generic power metal nowadays, and Firewind doesn’t seem to have that same magic that their early material was stuffed with.

Sonata Arctica- Clear Cold Beyond 5.5/10

Am I the only power metal fan that just does not understand the endless adulation that is heaped upon Sonata Arctica? People continually talk about their early albums as if they are some shining masterpieces of the genre, and I just don’t hear it. They’re good to be sure, but not unbelievably fantastic. All that to say, if people are calling Clear Cold Beyond a return to form for the band, then maybe I agree. It’s just not a form I ever really loved. This sounds fine for pretty generic synth-laden euro-power, and I’m ok with that.

Elvellon- Ascending in Synergy 5/10

Mom, I want Nightwish! We have Nightwish at home. Nightwish at home: … Ok that’s probably too harsh for this, but I can’t get too deep into this style of symphonic metal. The orchestrations are so overbearing, and though the guitars and bass offer some good crunch, it’s not enough to give this the oomph it needs.

Thornbridge- Daydream Illusion 6/10

You know, despite not loving this, I’m really not disappointed. It was a fun little listen, and that’s about all I expected when looking at the album cover. It’s some generic carny influenced power metal. It’s got big choruses and some flashy solos as one would expect. Fans of the style will probably enjoy it, but it’s not groundbreaking in any way.

Scanner- The Cosmic Race 6.5/10

The Cosmic Race indeed, as this one flies out of the gates! It did have me worried at the start, as despite the rich riffage I was not in love with the vocal performance. I’m glad I kept with it though, as instrumentally this baby really rips a few good ones and makes up for the inconsistent and sometimes grating vocals. Tracks to check out include Scanner’s Law and Space Battalion.

Hyloxalus- Make Me the Heart of the Black Hole- 7/10

So, this was not at all what I was expecting but hot diggity I enjoyed it. It was some fast and relentless metal with a surprise operatic/choral vocals overtop. At first, I thought that would just be for style points, but nope, it’s the whole dang record. It gets a little tiresome if I’m being honest, as it offers little variety much the way constant growls can do. That being said, the instrumentation around it does enough to keep one interested throughout and I was really digging it. I will definitely check out what this band has to offer in the future. Best tracks are Undead in Ward 6, He Dies in the Swamp, and Severed From The Reborn Sun.

Dragonforce- Warp Speed Warriors 2/10

Sigh.

I’m not a Dragonforce hater by any means. Valley of the Damned is one of my favourite power metal records of the early 2000’s. At this point however, they’ve become a sad caricature, and I can’t stomach it. This is bad, and you should feel bad for liking it.

4.

An Acoustic Guitar (Folk Metal)

This was a bit of a trick, but there’s plenty of acoustic guitar-work and folk sensibilities in the three records inside this box

Albion- Lakesongs of Elbid- 7/10

I like this a lot. I like this waaayyy more than I expected to. This is what I want when I listen to folk metal. This band pulls no punches and comes storming out with a 9-minute instrumental Arthurian Overture. Heckin’ yeah! After that they weave in and out of catchy folk-laden metal tracks that embed themselves in your ears. Pagan Spirit…Christian Heart! You’ll be chanting it for days. My biggest complaints are structural. It’s overlong, and the ballads really slow it down at the wrong parts. I’m also not a fan of Barrett’s Privateers and I don’t think it fits the otherwise Celtic feel of the rest of the album (even though I Like Stan Rogers a lot). Soft closer Camlann is ill-placed and might serve better elsewhere. Aside from those complaints, I really like this sound and will come back to maybe bump the score more with each listen.

Ember Belladonna- The Grove 6/10

I gave this little project a full review back in January, and I haven’t much more to add here. It’s fine, but I rarely return to it. When tracks from it come up though, they are always a pleasant listen. I hope Emma-Kramer Roger keeps making music in this genre.

Tyr- Battle Ballads 4/10

If Albion is what I want in folk, then this version of Tyr is what I don’t want. It’s a shame too as they have put out some great releases in the past, but this is some real meat and potatoes. It’s Tyr paint by numbers, and the formula has gotten stale.

5.

Toy Drums (Doom Metal)

Doom doom doom, drums in the deep. A six-piece set awaits you in this box:

Counting Hours- The Wishing Tomb 8/10

This is some good doom I tell ya hwat! It is certainly a bit lighter than the other doom albums, but I think those vocals are what is making me love this more and more. His cleans are fantastic. For doom it’s really darn catchy and I come back to these songs over and over again, especially No Closure and Starlit/Lifeless. Crushing doom riffs abound, and excellent drumming make for a finely crafted experience that continues to wow with each listen. Aside from the two mentioned above,other killer tracks are Timeless Ones and This Well Of Failures.

Hamferð – Men Guðs hond er sterk 8.5/10

People know that I love blazing fast speed metal, but I am a man of extremes. I also love plodding and slow as molasses funeral doom. As for this one, I have no idea what’s going on in this record. Whatever it is, I think I love it. Perhaps it’s just the mysticism of a record in another language that is drawing me in, but I really like this. There is a mixture of utter sorrow in the story told, with the bright ray of hope shining through, and the band captures it really well in the music (since I don’t understand the lyrics). It changes tempo far more than most “funeral doom” and keeps you engaged throughout. The title is a quote from a survivor of the whaling accident (the final track is this interview) that reminds us that even amidst tragedy, Providence is guiding all: “But God’s hand is strong.”

Crypt Sermon- The Stygian Rose 5.5/10

Genre stalwarts Crypt Sermon are back with another hefty slab of epic doom. Yum yum! They are for sure keeping that dark classic doom sound alive amidst a slew of death doom and funeral doom, so their classic sound is welcome for sure. However, I think they fall a bit short of recreating that old magic in a consistent way. There’s doomy talent to be sure, but I find that this record really peters off near the end and makes for kind of a drag. I think I’ll prefer older material, and come back to this more seldom than other classic doom.

Stygian Crown- Funeral for a King 6/10

I wanted to like this album a lot, I really did, especially given that stunning album artwork (what is it with doom metal bands and awesome covers?). However, despite some excellent riffage and drumming, and I really mean that, this album is brought down from great to good by the vocals. Just stay in key gosh darn it! It’s not a lot to ask! She’s all over the place and whilst it doesn’t completely ruin the album, it makes for an overall less enjoyable experience. That being said, I still enjoy Scourge Of The Seven Hills, Beauty and Terror, and Strait of Messina.

My Dying Bride- A Mortal Binding 4/10

This…this I do not like. Kudos to anyone who really digs this band, but I cannot do it. I thought maybe my previous distaste was a fluke so I gave it another shot but just could not stand it.

Distorted Reflection- Doom Rules Eternally 5/10

Despite reading some rave reviews, I just could not stomach this one. The vocals and lyrics just bring down what could be a great record. There is talent, and some decent to good riffage for sure, but it’s in a package that, as a whole, goes down poorly.

6.

A Kitty Cat

Did I mention this present was a lion. It’s a lion.

JUDAH and the Lion: The Process 3/10

Can someone who likes this music a lot explain it to me? That’s not entirely sarcastic, I genuinely want to understand what the appeal is. I know several people that rave and rave about this group but after listening through this I don’t get it. It just sounds so generic to me. I was hopeful as well, as this album has a deep concept running through it but I don’t think it executed that concept well. I was excited too, as the concept is similar to things I’ve dealt with, but man I wanted this to be over about half way through. Also, the mandolin is so buried and underutilised. The mandolin is good, go with the mandolin! Stop it with those drums I say. Anyway, overall a disappointing first experience with this project.

7.

A White Elephant (Pop and Such)

Congratulations! You’ve chosen the not-metal present. Here’s some other stuff to check out:

Jacob Collier- Djesse Vol. 4 6.5/10

Lumping Jacob Collier in with a bunch of pop artists probably isn’t fair but I didn’t have any more boxes! I knew the man by reputation, and had seen a few concert videos, but had never given any dedicated time to his music. I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed much of this. I loved seeing Arch Echo, a super talented instrumental prog band that I like, feature on the opening track, which probably remains my favourite on the record. There’s a lot going on here, and whilst I don’t jive with everything, there’s enough that I like to keep me interested and to go back here and there. I’m glad this one caught my radar.

Taylor Swift- THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT 3/10

Why do I hurt myself? I go into each Swift record expecting something like 1989, and album I genuinely love, and I’m continually disappointed with her output. She has left those days behind it seems, and I’m not sure I’ll get that Taylor back.

Ariana Grande- eternal sunshine 6/10

I put this one on expecting to hate it and surprise surprise…I liked it? Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think this is phenomenal by any means, it’s still pretty generic pop with that kick-snare pattern, but I was bopping to it. It’s not something I’m gonna seek out by any means, but I understand the appeal. And at just over 35 minutes it doesn’t overstay it’s welcome. My favourite tracks were eternal sunshine, and we can’t be friends.

Bleachers- Bleachers 4/10

This is not my cup of tea (especially that one song, you know the one). It was recommended to me to broaden horizons, but it’s too unengaging to hold my attention. I’m not against simple music at all, but this is just not all that interesting. Comparisons to The 1975 and Bruce Springsteen abound, and that makes sense. I never really cared for them either.

Carter Vail- 100 Cowboys 7/10

Keep a little dirt under your pillow for the dirt-man! Our favourite internet meme-lord made some real music…and it’s good! I found myself smiling through much of 100 Cowboys. We knew he was talented from the funny shorts, but he can actually write decent full-length songs. They’re not amazing, but there’s a lot to love in this catchy little record. I especially like Ready Aim Fire and Harder to Kill.

Also, Dirt Man is unironically song of the year material. I friggin’ love it.

8.

A Musical Box (Prog)

Although a slow start, prog is creepily sneaking in really good releases and fixing to take over my end-of-year list again. Your present is 9 prog-ish albums to explore:

Caligula’s Horse- Charcoal Grace -9/10

This one still packs a huge punch and will stay near the top of my lists for this year. Go read my full review for my complete thoughts, but I definitely keep returning to the title suite and to Mute. These are some of the best tracks C-Horse has ever written.

Madder Mortem- Old Eyes, New Heart 8/10

Yeah, this album definitely deserved a full review back in January, but circumstances prevented that. The vocals on this are not what you’d typically expect from a female fronted band and are a welcome change from all the wailing sopranos. The songwriting on this is fresh and inventive, and surprisingly catchy. It has that signature gothic sound that Madder Mortem love, and guitar and bass both shine in subtle ways that you notice more and more with each listen. It really is a tour-de-force of emotionally driven prog, and I would look for it come end of year lists. Top tracks include The Head That Wears The Crown, Coming From The Dark, Master Tongue, and Towers.

OU- II: Frailty 5/10

I don’t think this is for me. It was getting rave reviews, so I gave it a shot, but really don’t get it. I think I understand why people of a certain sensibility would like this idiosyncratic combination of Chinese music and proggish metal, but I am not that kind of person.

Sunburst- Manifesto 9/10

Yeah, I’m still in love with this record. I don’t have much more to add than what I said in my full review, but go listen to this! More listens just reveal how bonkers the guitar-work is! Those pinch harmonics…hnnngh. They give me more joy than cancelling plans at the last minute.

Evergrey- Theories of Emptiness 5/10

Theories of Emptiness indeed, as this album is pretty empty when all is said and done. It just find it pretty stale and boring, despite there being a lot of good playing here. Nothing grabs the listener here, and it lacks any aggression one might expect. Top that off with a boring ballad and spoken word bs and you’ve got a boring and forgettable album.

DVNE- Voidkind 8/10

I like it, and come back to it fairly often. I recognize its faults, but where it excels it is truly excellent.

Whom Gods Destroy- Insanium 4/10

I’m not sure why I bother with these prog “supergroups.” I know what it’s gonna be, and I’ve heard it all before. However, people were raving about this record so I gave it a spin. Surprise! They are who we thought they were! They are who we thought they were! I’ve been had again! So if you wanna hear a bunch of old farts aimlessly solo and show off their guitar and keyboard wankery go right ahead, but it’s all been done before. I saw a comment on another blog that said, “I heard this album in 1999 and I didn’t like it then.” Basically sums it up for me.

Borknagar- Fall 8/10

If you’re wondering if the reviews are true, I’m here to tell you this album is real good! Bork bork everyone we’ve got some good northern prog! I don’t like this as much as the new In Vain, but it will for sure be around at end-of-year list-making time. It’s really what I want when it comes to “Viking metal,” not the generic folk/power or melodeath that one usually thinks of with that label. Only the track Nordic Anthem really falls short of greatness here, whilst the whole album is elevated by such amazing cuts as opener Summits, as well as Moons and Stars Ablaze. Don’t let this one pass you by!

Hippotraktor- Stasis 7/10

Do you like djent? This album offers up a healthy serving amidst its back heavy track list. I particularly enjoy the title track, as it beats you to death with its riffage so you can be still for a big fat chorus. If you do indeed like technical and well-played djent style prog, then this album will certainly be an enjoyable listen. It’s not terribly deep to engage the mind or emotions, but the music is good enough that I don’t care.

9.

A Box of Nothing (Death Metal)

There is nothing inside this box, only Death. Eight deaths to be exact:

In Vain- Solemn 8.5/10

Did I just find a new favourite band? I think I just found a new favourite band! This was not at all what I was expecting, as the beautiful forlorn man on the cover prepared me for some slow sad melo-death. Imagine my surprise when I was hit with those fat choruses and, do my ears deceive me, a saxophone! Friggin what? This perhaps belongs more in the prog box than the death box, but I really love this. Opener Shadows Flap their Black Wings is a banger, and I’ve had the epic and hopeful closer Watch for Me on the Mountain on repeat for days and days. Why is all my favourite music about mountains? Mountains Gandalf! I’d be surprised if this didn’t make it on my end of the year list, as I like it more and more with each and every listen. It’s a wild ride, but I’m here for it. Further greatness is to be found in the top tier tracks Blood Makes the Grass Grow, Where the Winds Meet, At the Going Down of the Sun…ok just listen to the whole album.

Job for a Cowboy- Moon Healer 8/10

Job For A Cowboy is a stupid name for a band. I hate it. Ok with that out of the way, let’s talk about the record, shall we? This is not a band I was familiar with prior to Moon Healer, and from what I have been reading they have gone through some stylistic changes. Whatever those may be, the monster they have become for this record is just what the doctor ordered. This prog-infused death metal is relentless and off the charts. And clocking in at just over 39 minutes, it’s very easy to enjoy over and over in a short period of time. I actually had this album on for a lot of the time I was working on site details at the end of February. But giving it the full attention it deserves reveals a real gem of an album. The tracks are infectious, aggressive, and easily embed themselves. Be on the lookout for this on end of year lists. The Sung Gave Me Ashes, So I Sought Out the Moon has been on repeat for weeks and weeks. The double punch of The Agony Seeping Storm and The Forever Rot bring this album to a powerful close.

Inter Arma- New Heaven 4/10

I’ve found all commentary on this record to be very divisive. Either it’s the greatest thing since sliced bread, or one simply doesn't get it and will have none of it. I’m in the second camp. What is this and why do people love it so? Also, who mixed this? The drums sound absolutely awful (that snare…disgusting!) but are also louder than everything else. I’m sure everyone else is playing cool stuff, but I can’t hear it. Production woes aside, this just does not stack up against the better death metal of this year. It’s weird and wild, but doesn’t make sense to me.

The Last of Lucy- Godform 7.5/10

Tech death is slowly becoming my favourite genre, and it’s excellent cuts like this from The Last of Lucy that are solidifying it. The blazing guitar histrionics leave me yearning for more, and this record is short enough to spin it over and over. Unlike some other tech-death here though, The Last of Lucy offer some variety with occasional cleans and non-standard metal instrumentation to freshen up the sound. This clips it just above the new Vitriol. Of especial note are Twin Flames, Wormhole and Sentinel Codex.

Vitriol- Suffer to Become 7.5/10

Oh more tech death, what would I do without your endless barrage of speed and ferocity into my ear-holes? And speed and ferocity do Vitriol have in spades. January kept me rather occupied with the site launch and Caligula’s Horse that I only gave this a few spins, but hot dang does this album rip! It’s definitely front heavy with the best tracks in the first half. I’m a tad upset that I wasn’t be able to catch Vitriol live, as they played the stage next door whilst I saw Armored Saint…and Armored Saint was a let-down. I’ll try to catch them next time, as I dig a lot of what they do here, especially Nursing From the Mother Wound, Weaponized Loss, and Shame and its Afterbirth.

Dark Oath- Ages of Man 6/10

This album was recommended to me, and I knew immediately I had to listen to it after one look at the track list. I’m a sucker for a concept album and a high concept with numbered tracks is just what the doctor ordered. That being said, this album leaves something to be desired. It’s good to be sure, but it could be better. I don’t think the concept was executed as well as it could have been. There’s not much variety to be had, so whilst I enjoy the tracks a lot, they start to run together in a bad way over the 40 minutes. Perhaps I’m expecting too much, but I will for sure be on the lookout for further releases from this band.

From Dying Suns- Calamity 7/10

Album cover of the year so far! Just look at that PS1 cover…absolutely brilliant! I was about to be so upset when this album had a cover like that and then ended up stinking. Crisis averted: this album rips! It’s fast and exciting and doesn’t let up, aside from the little respite they give you in the middle. Riffs abound here, and just listen to that bass! It’s technically dense at a crisp 40 minutes where the band flashes all of their skill across your ear-drums. Check out Turn Undead, Vereor Nox, and Reclamation.

Eternal Storm- A Giant Bound to Fall 4/10

A Giant Bound to Fall indeed. This is a monster of a record, with several songs clocking in at over 8 minutes…all of which have no right to be that long. This band needs an editor because it drags and drags as it meanders through inconsistent musical ideas and pretty weak transitions. There might be a good melodeath album hidden in here amongst all the fluff, but as it sits, I can’t seem to find it. Trim the fat boys! You’re not writing prog epics so cut that crap out.