Heavier Than Hell!

Evile Skull Evile have always been a band riding the wave of the modern thrash metal revival scene which has gradually got bigger and bigger since the latter part of the Noughtie's. They first exploded onto the scene in 2007 with the much acclaimed album  "Enter The Grave" and since then have spawned 3 very strong album's since with each one growing in both publicity and production value's. As soon as I heard of there output for there 4th album bluntly entitled "Skull" it was hard not to conjure up sceptical thought's would the band still be able to produce a memorable album in what can sometime's be considered an over saturated and repetitive genre? The album opens up with a pummelling chord stab intro unveiling a sound which any fan of there previous albums will have come to love with the production tone's sounding closer to there first two albums than there last release (2011's) Five Serpent's Teeth. Giving hint's ...

Clutch Earth Rocker  Some records hold the title of being cult classics over the year's for hitting you right were you want with integrity, power and quality song writing this can be said for clutch's 2004 effort Blast Tyrant. More recently clutch have turned down the gain and aggression for a more chilled, bluesy and laid back vibe on there 2007 album "From Beale Street To Oblivion" and 2009's "Strange Cousins From The West". There Latest effort see's them turning back the aggression and energy levels to Max creating perhaps there heaviest but still upbeat album yet or at least since Blast Tyrant . The Opening track "Earth Rocker" kicks in with a dynamic groove which is unrelenting and powerful ensuring the listener from the start it's going to be a fast paced affair. The second track crucial velocity see's Tim Sult in full Jimmy Page mode starting the track with a trippy wah laden guitar lick ensuring all the band...

Ghost BC infestissumam Ghost BC have only been around for the past few years originally holding the name Ghost of which they are previously entitled on there succesful 2011 release Opus Eponymous . This mysterious Swedish outfit have managed to cultivate a strong following while keeping the symbolism and arcane nature which made there first release so ground breaking.  Although the sabbathesque crunchy guitar riffs are as evident as on the first record there seems to be even  more focus on the pomp driven chorus's giving nods to more classic pop roots to bands such as Abba but the content and substance itself still remains bleak and dark. The intro track   "infestissumam" opens up with an orchestral like chant with backing female vocals to give an earthy wide feel helping the listener conjure up mental images of papa walking out into a cathedral itself.  The third track which was also the third track to be leaked of this album is secul...

The Atlas Moth hail from Chicago Illinois and have come to the attention of the metal underground within the last couple of years. After offering a wide pallet of different styles and concepts within metal since there 2009 inception there latest offering An Ache For The Distance has raised the platform most experimental progressive metal bands aim to achieve which they have done by the barrel load and very early on in there career. The Album Starts of with a track bluntly entitled Coffin Varnish which starts of with some tasty legato based guitar riffs lashed together creatively with hordes of Reverb and Delay creating sound scapes which have become notoriously associated with acts such as Isis, Tool, Katatonia. The Drums have a natural open airy feel which complements the dark and brooding tribal tom sounds perfectly blending well with the tension and atmosphere consistently from start to finish. The 2nd track which is personally my favourite...

So where to begin it is not long before Agalloch's next release with there latest leaked track the Faust based on the classic German legend of the same name about a protagonist who sells his soul to the devil exchanging it for unlimited worldly knowledge. This is sure to to be a big release within the metal community alike this year but how will it compare to the sparser marrow of the spirit? Marrow of the spirit welcomes the listener with the sound of a running waterfall, birds tweeting and a mournful cello line giving the album a big cinematic impression in the audiences mind from the word go. Due to the liveliness of the trickling water and distant ambience you can't help but imagine it being the perfect background music to compliment a scene from a classic Cult B movie. The next track "Into The Painted Grey" starts of with hectic picked riffs doused in Reverb and fast passed paced drum patterns this then comes to an immediate stop to we...

well where to begin It certainly took a long time for machine head to present us with new material considering there classic album the blackening was released to much acclaim during the earlier releases of 2007. But any doubts of this release not living up to its predecessors' are quickly blown away as the opening song "I am hell (Sonata In C#) kicks in cementing the listeners ears with curiosity to endure the rest of the album. The first song itself does a good job of showing the listener how versatile and experimental the album is from word go showcasing fast thrash picked riffs, Gregorian style chant and even atmospheric finger picked interludes. The second song on the album is a nice follow up it storming in with a legato based guitar riff which instantly stands out as a classic sticking into the listeners mind and is sure to become a live staple being one of the most stripped back songs on the albums. The chorus is catchy and memorable...

Opeth have always been a band to surprise there audience constantly moving the boundaries of progression album after album. Heritage serves as an album at the mellow end of there spectrum more closely related to there 2003 album Damnation than there previous release 2008’s watershed. Despite the dropped death metal vocal style which made them synonymous among death metal fans as well as hard rockers and classic prog fans. The album still remains Heavy although the distortion has been turned down to the core revealing a more organic warmth which feels like it helps underline the depth and dynamics of the album. The album opens up with the mournful Piano interlude heritage. Although this does not help define a band that still have there heavy elements intact the following track the devils orchard features a punchier upbeat vibe with warmth and exploration on lyrical themes such as the devil and god. And also reveals much of Opeths long, tranquil and experimental instru...