Tag: review
-
Witch Mountain – self-titled
It’s been a while since Witch Mountain parted ways with Uta Plotkin, the amazingly rangy singer who first blew my mind on 2011’s South of Salem. But their next two albums were subsequently less heavy, before creative differences led to the search for a new frontwoman. And while it didn’t take long for the band…
-
Khemmis – Desolation
It’s not uncommon for a more traditional doom band to take a turn toward power metal—Argus first made strides in this direction with Boldly Strides the Doomed, while Age of Taurus is leaning much more towards the swords ‘n sorcery set on their outstanding second album, The Colony Slain. We can also now include Khemmis…
-
Sense of Fear – As The Ages Passing By…
So much metal is marred by a lack of dynamics, but that is certainly not the case with Sense of Fear. Time changes abound on As The Ages Passing By…, giving Sense of Fear a real sense of drama. The first thing that struck me about Sense of Fear was their strong songwriting and musicality.…
-
Ghost – Prequelle
After three years, Ghost have released their fourth full-length album, Prequelle. After how much I enjoyed their previous work, Meliora (2015) especially, I had high hopes for the new record, but ultimately I believe my expectations were a bit too high for their new project. The album features several high points, but many low points…
-
ASG – Survive Sunrise
Now, I don’t think that “sludge pop” is actually a thing, although I might have seen that term used in a Torche review or two. It could also possibly apply to ASG, a Carolina outfit that often mixes catchy hooks with heavy, distorted riffs. It’s been five years since their last album, Blood Drive, which…
-
The Raz – The Raz
Good music is always timeless music and such is the case with the music made by the splendidly named The Raz. Their self-titled debut could have been recorded at any time in the last fifty years (which I mean as the highest compliment). Their musicianship is very strong and the band gel together well, giving them…
-
Yob – Our Raw Heart
You could call Yob’s eighth studio album a labour of love. Certainly, from reading Mike Scheidt’s heartfelt Facebook updates over the past couple years, it’s clear the frontman has a new lease on life after an intestinal disease left him hospitalized in 2017. While doom is definitely no stranger to pain and suffering, whether physical…
-
Exmortus – The Sound of Steel
It’s been two years since their last offering, Ride Forth, but the guys from Exmortus are back with a vengeance. On June 8th (via Prosthetic Records) comes The Sound of Steel – the band’s fifth full release. I’m going on record right now to say it is my favorite record from these young men out…
-
Greystone Canyon – While The Wheels Still Turn
Australia has a great track record for producing classic rock acts like Rose Tattoo and AC/DC, so it is no surprise that Greystone Canyon, hailing from Australia, have those bands in their musical DNA. The very name Greystone Canyon sums up images of cowboys on a vast empty landscape. It’s a very cool name for…
-
Shadygrove – In The Heart of the Scarlet Woods
As we see with the surprising and pleasing success of artists like Myrkur, our beloved metal genre is becoming ever more diverse. More and more artists are returning to the past, like aural archaeologists, to the primordial musical wellspring for inspiration. Shadygrove have an acoustic heaviness that can only come from the heart and soul:…