Author: Sean Palmerston

  • Wolves In The Throne Room – Celestial Lineage

    “Even when it feels almost too packed for its own good, Celestial Lineage is a fantastic album that showcases Wolves In The Throne Room’s commitment to their core sound while slowly expanding the band’s boundaries.” Album review by Jonathan Smith.

  • Vreid / Kampfar / Necronomicon @ Annex Wreckroom, Toronto ON, August 25, 2011

    “Also hailing from Norway, black metal unit Vreid filled the headlining position and performed what was unquestionably the strongest set of the night. In contrast to the theatricality of the other bands’ appearances, Vreid adopted a simple, almost military look for their style and dress. They performed with much more energy than the other acts…

  • Decapitated – Carnival Is Forever

    The Polish deathstars return with a fifth studio release, Carnival Is Forever, not too far off from Nihility’s celebrated “Spheres Of Madness” yet closer to a fresh sound that provides fans with an ear-catching listen.

  • Rwake – Rest

    An original effort of epic proportions, Rest takes the music of Neurosis/Isis into the 21st century, with their own unique southern touch. Often, songs this long have me nodding off, but there is enough dynamic fluidity, changes of tempo, pace and styles to keep me interested throughout.

  • Kroda—Schwarzpfad

    For an album stacked with layers of instrumentation, nothing’s been overwhelmed. The aggressive and melodious parts marry up nicely, and the production isn’t overly busy, although a bit of thinness creeps in here and there. Kroda induces some genuinely mead-swilling moments that capture the feel of nature at its most capricious.

  • Paul Speckmann: The Hellbound Interview

    Paul Speckmann has been playing death metal longer than many fans of the genre have been walking the planet. The Chicago native started his long-running project Master in 1983. He’s also played with other bands including War Cry, Abominator and the Czech death metal band Krabathor. Dark Descent Records recently reissued his early band Death…

  • Premonition 13 – 13

    This record adds another solid chapter to a long and storied career. Wino is God.

  • Toxic Holocaust/ Inepsy/ Holy Grail/ Kommando @ Annex Wreckroom, Toronto ON, August 21, 2011

    “Predictably, Toxic Holocaust delivered on the challenge laid down by Inepsy. Their set was a riot — pure, dirty thrash glee. The band are touring to support new album Conjure and Command, an excellent full-length with no pretensions and profoundly catchy songs.” Natalie Zed reviews the August 21st Toronto performance by TOXIC HOLOCAUST, INEPSY, HOLY…

  • Revocation – Chaos Of Forms

    Chaos Of Forms is stunningly complex, completely vicious and, above all else, a hugely confident release.

  • Angela Gossow of Arch Enemy: The Hellbound Interview

    “We’ve accumulated a very dedicated hardcore fan-base. This kind of liberates you, because we kind of feel nowadays we can pretty much do anything we want, and we don’t have anything to lose because we are in the lucky position that we don’t have any pressure from the label. They never told us what to…