Year: 2020

HardAlbumReview

Microdose: Psychotic Waltz, Vandan Plas, Vulkan & Haken

December 30, 2020 hardalbumreview

It took more than two decades (24 years to be precise) for these American proggers to get back and release their fifth studio album! Many things have changed since then and so has the whole prog scene but what Psychotic Waltz offers is relatable to modern prog listeners as well as the older fans of the band. The God-Shaped Void is an album that only bands of high caliber and great mastery can create. The music so resembles the common sound of past years in the genre with a more modern approach and quality, but that is what I like much more to this “modern prog” sound which has garnered many fans. The guitar solos, and hefty riffs as well, team up with Devon Graves’ vocals to make the band’s ultimate mix. It’s very interesting that the longest track Sisters of the Dawn is in fact my highlight. It is an epic narrative with all aspects of music in their finest place. It will probably be my choice of prog this year. […]

HardAlbumReview

Microdose: Smith & Myers, Lunatic Soul & Bush

December 30, 2020 hardalbumreview

Verdict: Shinedown duo returns with the second leg of their paired album and again with an assortment of covers of some of the most iconic songs of the history of rock and roll (Billy Idol’s Rebel Yell, REM’s Losing My Religion, Peter Gabriel’s Sledgehammer and Oasis’ Don’t Look Back in Anger), some new hits (Bad Guy by Billie Eilish) as well as several originals which mix so well together like peanut butter and jelly. […]

2020 Albums

Album Review: Hatebreed – “Weight Of The False Self” 7.8/10 (Hardcore)

December 4, 2020 zaxrecordreviews

I’m back, and my black metal streak is over. What ended it? Well… Hatebreed! Hatebreed are a bit of a contentious band, cause they have what I’ve dubbed the “Lamb Of God problem.” They have a considerable and devoted fanbase, but generally aren’t exactly critical darlings due to sorta kinda releasing the same album over and over again. Like Lamb Of God, however, I happen to like this pony’s one trick. […]

2020 Albums

Album Review: Undergang – “Aldrig i livet” 9.4/10 (Death Metal)

November 15, 2020 Melinda (Carcassbomb)

Fun. A lot of fun. There’s something Undergang does in their writing that draws you into it with all of your enthusiasm. Some parts of this had me moving like the metal version of those goth kids dancing at the underpass or the wacky waving inflatable tube man. On the other hand, they managed a few times to descend into an utter dirge that will tickle your dark. It’s a varied album that comes off as an intelligent deconstruction of death metal rather than blind worship of it. They have a deep understanding of old death, doom and grind – far beyond my own. […]

2020 Albums

Album Review: Depravity – “Grand Malevolence” 9/10 (Death Metal)

November 15, 2020 Melinda (Carcassbomb)

Grand Malevolence is the death metal album I’ve been waiting for this year. Many have come and gone, some solid albums but even with Necrot and Ulcerate releasing huge albums I was still reserving my fandom for something specific and until now, undefined. It’s a big boy, with many five minute songs making up forty-nine minutes total but not a minute is wasted. Depravity are a machine that will keep force feeding you your own shit the whole time then at the end you’ll doff your hat and thank them. […]