Category: Reviews

  • Yakuza – Of Seismic Consequence

    Even though this might be the darkest Yakuza record thus far, it’s also the most song oriented. It seems that Yakuza has focused on crafting their free form jazz metal jams into more succinct pieces this time around, which allows for a more palatable record. Palatable that is, for folks who found their previous work…

  • Nevermore – The Obsidian Conspiracy

    The Obsidian Conspiracy had an almost insurmountable expectation being the follow up from TGE and both solo records, which were great. Nevermore fans will be disappointed with this new album however, as the record doesn’t really deviate from the Nevermore formula and some of the songs are just plain stale.

  • Kingdom of Sorrow: Side-Project Comes Into its Own

    Kingdom of Sorrow: It’s a name that conjures up images of some grizzled warrior-king, his throne coated in ash, his body caked with blood. It evokes both torpor and power. And indeed, the quintet plays a blend of filthy swamp sludge and growling hardcore, courtesy of Crowbar/Down string slinger Kirk Windstein and Hatebreed vocalist Jamey…

  • Obituary/ Entombed/ Rumplestiltskin Grinder at The Opera House, Toronto, ON June 1, 2010

    I have yet to attend a metal show that I am not excited about. It’s an excitement that transcends ticket price, record label, venue, or profile. Whether I am going to see a deep-underground band playing in a tiny bar, or a legend taking on the ACC, I experience the same moment of unrestrained pleasure…

  • Necronomicon – The Return of the Witch

    The Return of the Witch is a solid piece of work. It’s an album that is upfront about what its intentions are.

  • ISIS/ Tombs/ Jakob @ Rickshaw Theatre, Vancouver BC, May 31, 2010

    “But as fans slowly drifted away, they could rest assured these talented and prolific musicians would live to play another day, even if in a different incarnation than the one they saw on stage tonight.” Cara Cross reviews ISIS on the Vancouver stop of their North American farewell tour.

  • Maryland Deathfest 2010 Recap Part 3

    by Jay H. Gorania Sunday (May 30) As hessian metalheads strolled the streets of downtown Baltimore like zombies on a mission, they weaved in and out of Lacrosse athletes and fans who were there for the NCAA Division I Men’s Championship. I was working out at my hotel’s gym alongside one of Virginia’s players who…

  • Dying Fetus/ Arsis/ Misery Index @ Mod Club, Toronto ON, May 31, 2010

    After tonight’s show we now know why Dying Fetus deserve to be a bonafide headliner. Holy fuck! What a ferocious machine these guys are live. They have the songs and riffs and you cannot get any tighter than they are right now.

  • Jex Thoth – Witness EP

    At only 15 minutes long the Witness EP is definitely a teaser, but the three songs show a pleasing attention to old-school songcraft.

  • Maryland Deathfest 2010 Recap Part 2

    Part two of Jay H Gorania’s recap of the 2010 Maryland Deathfest, covering what he saw and heard on the Saturday, May 29th portion of the fest. It includes Incantation, Asphyx, Repulsion, Jucifer and Autopsy