Album Review: The Call of The Iron Peak by The Devil’s Trade

I have heard a lot of artists talk about the idea of channeling negative emotions such as fear, anxiety, pain, and sorrow into their art. This process can often be cathartic and even healing for both artist and witness. Perhaps the process of facing these difficult topics and feelings via the medium of art allows… Continue reading Album Review: The Call of The Iron Peak by The Devil’s Trade

Single Review: X-Ray Love’s “Sha La Love”

Speculation and debate about the death of rock ’n’ roll has been rife for decades now. Whenever we feel certain that it is time to close the lid on the casket, another set of bands arrives to show us that rock ’n’ roll his in fact very much alive. New York City’s X-Ray Love are… Continue reading Single Review: X-Ray Love’s “Sha La Love”

EP Review: All The Pretty Little Horses by Henry Derek Ellis

Metal is often ignored by the mainstream media and sometimes belittled by those who can’t see past the loud and seemingly unwelcoming surface of the music. In spite of this — or perhaps, because of it — the metal community has continued to thrive as a supportive and welcoming scene. In the past, though, there… Continue reading EP Review: All The Pretty Little Horses by Henry Derek Ellis

Album Review: Pale Divine’s Consequence of Time (Cruz Del Sur, June 19th/26th)

Consequence Of Time marks 25 years since Pennsylvania doom metal stalwarts Pale Divine began their career. The fantastical album cover features a scythe-endowed wizard-type figure and the press release contains references to classic prog rock and metal. The promo photos feature the band with a woodland background in all their leather jacketed, long-haired and bandana-wearing… Continue reading Album Review: Pale Divine’s Consequence of Time (Cruz Del Sur, June 19th/26th)

Album Review: Wino’s Forever Gone (Ripple, June 26th)

The best music makes you feel something. It communicates something universal and beyond words. You can’t put your finger on it but you know when you find it. This quality can be traced back and found in the output of artists such as Neil Young and Steve Earle, in country music, in old time American… Continue reading Album Review: Wino’s Forever Gone (Ripple, June 26th)

Album Review: Anthropocene by Deludium Skies

Anthropocene by Deludium Skies is “drone rock fused with industrial and a free jazz spirit” according to its creator, Austria’s Karl Pelzmann. It is a concept record set in a “dystopian” future in which nature has reclaimed the planet from the rubble of civilization following humanity’s decimation. The surviving people have formed small tribes and… Continue reading Album Review: Anthropocene by Deludium Skies

Album Review: Leaves of Yesteryear by Green Carnation

Leaves of Yesteryear provides everything one could hope for in the first new release in 14 years from Norwegian prog-doom-psych-metal titans Green Carnation. Within the first minute of the opening title track we have spoken word samples about loneliness, all-encompassing doom riffs, mournfully longing melodies and necro-prog Floydisms replete with brooding synths. Did I mention… Continue reading Album Review: Leaves of Yesteryear by Green Carnation