Tag: metal

  • Shining – Animal

    Shining – Animal

    The dilemma most bands face is whether to progress or not. AC/DC have made a very successful career out of sticking to the same formula; so too have Slayer. Conversely, bands like Rush, Voivod and Mastodon have followed the path of constant change and innovation, and done well as a result. Shining have chosen, on…

  • Venom – Storm The Gates

    Venom – Storm The Gates

    After Black Sabbath and Motorhead, I consider that Venom are the third most influential metal band; few bands have inspired and influenced three genres of metal, black metal, death metal and thrash metal. The first two Venom albums, ‘Welcome To Hell’ and ‘Black Metal’ are essential for any metal fans collection. Now, many years later,…

  • Sigh – Heir To Despair

    Sigh – Heir To Despair

    Hailing from Japan, Sigh bring a unique perspective to metal. On one hand it’s very traditional; Sigh are great musicians and composers, and you can hear the influences of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal very strong, particularly Iron Maiden. On the other hand, Sigh are so out there as to be in a…

  • Staff Playlists, January 2019

    Staff Playlists, January 2019

    As the new year rolls in, we ask you to join us once again for an update on what the people of Hellbound have been digging these days.   Hellbound Recommends Steve Earles New Release: Sigh – Heir To Despair. Managing to be both traditional metal and totally ‘out there’ at the same time. Well worth…

  • Cancer Bats – The Spark That Moves LP

    Cancer Bats – The Spark That Moves LP

    When a band gets six albums deep into their career, history has illustrated that one of two things happens: either the group releases a career-defining album, or they release the worst shit shingle in their catalogue. For every British Steel, Iron Fist, Machine Head, Divine Intervention or Sound of White Noise, there are also albums…

  • G.B.H. – The Rough Justice Years

    G.B.H. – The Rough Justice Years

    Once again Cherry Red have excelled in presenting an important and influential band’s work in the best possible light. A huge influence on Cliff Burton-era Metallica, G.B.H are a special band indeed. This box set, which has 76 tracks over 5 discs, covers GBH’s output for the Rough Justice label between 1984 and 1985. Disc…

  • Metal Fest Rundown – Winter 2019

    Metal Fest Rundown – Winter 2019

    A rundown of some of the metal festivals taking over the world in January, February and March… Black Flags Over Brooklyn “Anti-fascist, anti-racist extreme metal festival held in the dark heart of Brooklyn” January 25-26th ~ Brooklyn, NY Vile Creature, Dawn Ray’d, Cloud Rat, Occultist… https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-flags-over-brooklyn-fest-pass-tickets-52898497831 Brews & Bruise Fest March 29th-30th ~ Diesel Concert…

  • Witchers Creed – Awakened from the Tomb

    Witchers Creed – Awakened from the Tomb

    Why yes, it’s another “occult stoner/doom” band with Witch in its name – and this one even includes Creed in its moniker! But hey, if you can get past the band name, let’s just say they can take you higher. ? The song “Witchers Creed” kicks off the album. “Black Sabbath” this is not, but…

  • Dead Witches – The Final Exorcism

    Dead Witches – The Final Exorcism

    If you ever wanted to hear what Electric Wizard might sound like with female vocals, this is the band for year. Featuring venerable ex-Wizard can-basher Mark Greening, Dead Witches recorded their sophomore effort in the same rural English studio as Dopethrone and Let Us Prey…although I’d say this one sounds more akin to the Wizard…

  • Killer – Volume One: The Mausoleum Years 1981-1990

    Killer – Volume One: The Mausoleum Years 1981-1990

    As time passed heavy metal became broken into many sub-genres, but conversely the New Wave of British Heavy Metal continues to grow in stature and regard. It is rightly seen as a time of innocence, where heavy metal was played for fun, for the love of the music, and where song-writing really mattered. But the…