Articles
Album Review: Hesperian Death Horse – Ziv
Hesperian Death Horse is a post-metal/avant-garde/sludge band from Zagreb, Croatia. Their second album, Ziv, is named after the Croatian word for “Alive”. This name fits the themes of the lyrics, which describe the cycles of life, death, creation, destruction, and rebirth. Their first album, Mrtav, was named after the Croatian word for “Dead”. They will soon have a third and final album, Rodjen, named after “Birth”, completing the trilogy. This second installment is eerie, disturbing, … read...
read moreAlbum Review: The Salvage Retrograde – Bringer Of Light
This debut album is hard and heavy. The thudding bass lines and pounding drumbeat provide a solid structure for strong guitar riffs and raspy screams. The genre strays away from metal and into rock, country, pop, and different combinations of all of the above. If they had to be categorized, I would define them as hard rock and heavy metal. The blues-inspired melodies are energetic, yet dark and heavy. The rowdy vocals are distinctly … read...
read moreBand Interview: 8 Questions With 156/Silence
156/Silence is a hardcore metal band based in Pittsburgh, PA. They are releasing the new album, Undercover Scumbag, with Innerstrength Records. Undead Goathead now interviews the band about the new record, as well as musical influences and other behind-the-scenes anecdotes. Undead Goathead: Who are all the band members and how did the band form? Jimmy Howell, 156/Silence guitarist: Jimmy Howell – Guitar Ryan Wilkinson – Guitar Christian Snow – Bass Max Bradshaw – Drums… read...
read moreAlbum Review: Immortal Guardian – Age of Revolution
Soaring power metal vocals, wailing guitars, triumphant melodies, and just enough distortion to hint at thrash and death metal influences. Shredding solos, double pedal drumming, and heart racing rhythms make this a solid metal album. These traditional metal themes match up with progressive rock. This band experiments with several unexpected genres, including folk music and flamenco. Somehow, it works. The album art is reminiscent of classic Iron Maiden record sleeves. The logo is another … read...
read moreAlbum Review: Imperial Triumphant – Vile Luxury
I’m listening to Imperial Triumphant- Vile Luxury put out by Gilead Media, and it is one of the most twisted and decadent metal albums I’ve heard in awhile. I haven’t heard any of their previous work, but its imaginable to see that it is probably just as dark and foreboding. The band is from New York, and it is fitting since this album paints a grim tableau of urban decay and societies’ plead for … read...
read moreAlbum Review: Collector – Liberation’s Fall
Collector is an indie metal band from Boston, MA. They have recently self-released their debut album, Liberation’s Fall. This record features fantastic guest musicians like Chris Broderick (Act of Defiance, Ex- Megadeth), and Vicky Psarakis (The Agonist). The band has continued to persevere, even after the loss of their collaborator, colleague, and friend, Warrel Dane (Nevermore, Behemoth, Sanctuary), who passed away in December 2017. This heavy, emotionally charged album does justice to his legacy. The … read...
read moreBand Profile: LostPray
Lostpray have recently uploaded a new music video for their song, Cyberblood. This new music video was released on July 1st, 2018. The morbid humor of the music video is fittingly conveyed with an animated cartoon. There is a serious message behind the comical imagery. Cyberblood is about the irony that we are divided and isolated from each other by the very technology that was intended to connect us. The internet is … read...
read moreBand Profile: Universal Theory
Universal Theory is a multifaceted, complex band. Their songs feature raspy gothic vocals punctuated with black metal screams. The female voice also shines with clean singing. All of these disparate vocal styles are united by the poetic lyrics, which are dark yet romantic. Moody piano melodies create an atmosphere of introspective melancholia. Some songs even have the ambience of a cathedral choir, with sustained notes, slow rhythms, and subtle echoing. This music is very emotional. … read...
read moreAlbum Review: Deforme – God-Like Strength
Deforme is a conglomeration of brutal death metal and grind. The gutteral vocals are especially gruesome, with lead vocalist Juan Martinez growling and grunting like a demon from hell. The guitarwork of both Alex Camacho and Joe Baca shreds violently. The bassline from Blair Robey is strong and solid. The drumming is a sturdy skeleton for the whole musical package. No wonder their drummer is called “Beast”. I love how the rhythm section sometimes steals … read...
read moreAlbum Review: Amorphis – Queen of Time
The brilliance of Amorphis is their ability to intertwine several complex themes. Even before listening to the music, the album art and title are intricate fusions of multiple abstract concepts. The Queen of Time is a similar name to that of a previous album, The Beginning of Times. This is almost like a self-aware breaking of the 4th wall. The melodic music of their past is bleeding through into this futuristic new record, … read...
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