Anticipation in my ears was high for Wisconsin thrash masters Lazarus A.D follow up to ‘The Onslaught’, an album that has been in heavy rotation since I first heard the re-released version back in 2009. If you had any type of involvement with me back then I would have been force feeding you ‘Last Breath’…
After the departure of long time member and once lead guitarist/lead vocalist Timo Tolkki, it wasn’t an unreasonable thought to question the future of Stratovarius. 2009’s Polaris – the first album of the bands career not to feature Tolkki – was the sound of a rejuvenated band hitting some much needed form. Now, on their 13th…
Combine Every Time I Die with The Dillinger Escape Plan and you basically have Boys with X-ray Eyes. Exceptionally eccentric and musically diverse BWXE combine Mathcore guitar sounds with a hardcore aggression to give a fresh, often piercing sound. Opener Hotrod shows their influences in seconds with riff after riff of bizarre, yet alluring tones…
I think it would be fair to say that Wales never really produces any decent Thrash bands – Anterior are one of very few that spring to mind – the majority of others merely want to be Slayer. Which is why it’s such a breath of fresh air to hear a band like Fell On Black…
Only 3 years in the making and ‘The Hotel Ambush’ are already showing signs of things to come. Condemned is a 7 track mini album that displays the bands ability to combine heavy, memorable riffs, balls to the wall aggression, catchy, distinctive choruses and sleek, stylish solos. Echoes (from within) and Cutting the Tie’s become…
If you’re around my age (25) or a little older (or a lot older), you will no doubt remember Killswitch Engage’s mainstream debut release, Alive or Just Breathing back in 2001/2002 (note I said mainstream debut, not debut for the nitpickers out there). Featuring one of the metal anthems of the 00’s, My Last Serenade,…
Have you ever bought an album without knowing anything about the band, have very little expectations and just bought it merely because someone said it was good? Well, this is what happened here. Only this time, saying I was blown away would be like saying Justin Bieber is a modern day Michael Jackson. As Le…
The problem with Traditional Metal is in the title, it’s traditional, hence it’s been done before by bands who created the sound, and that we now love. Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Saxon, Def Leppard, Diamond Head, the list goes on. These bands shaped the new wave of British heavy metal and produced albums that are…
When a band changes style, or tries something new, we always like to praise that band for at least trying to bring something extra to their sound. There can, however, be a thin line between ditching what your band is about – much like Linkin Park have recently done – and injecting a new excitement…
Forming in the summer of 2007 Me vs Hero quickly made their mark as a band with hooks, bounce and undeniably catchy music. In 2008, tragedy befell the band when guitarist and good friend Alex McCulloch sadly passed away; since then however, MVH have honoured their friend with an EP, released their debut album in…