Author: Metal Storm

German power metal veterans Primal Fear return in 2023 with a scorching new album, “Code Red.” This eleven-track powerhouse is a celebration of everything that makes the band great: soaring vocals, pummeling riffs, catchy choruses, and an infectious sense of energy. “Code Red” is a guaranteed fist-pumper, a potent reminder of Primal Fear’s enduring legacy…

The Dutch veterans of Legion of the Damned return in 2023 with “The Poison Chalice,” a potent blend of thrash and death metal that showcases their unrelenting ferocity and decades of experience. This ten-track assault is a masterclass in extreme metal, offering a satisfying mix of old-school influences and a modern production sheen. While some…

Swedish thrashers Tyranex unleash a potent dose of old-school fury on their 2023 album, “Reasons For The Slaughter.” This is a no-frills, high-octane celebration of classic thrash metal, delivered with infectious enthusiasm and a healthy dose of technical prowess. While not entirely groundbreaking, “Reasons For The Slaughter” is a thoroughly enjoyable listen that will leave…

Sylosis’ 2023 album, “A Sign of Things to Come,” marks a triumphant return for the British thrash outfit. Following a brief hiatus and a lineup change, the band led by vocalist and guitarist Josh Middleton delivers a potent cocktail of classic thrash influences, modern djent sensibilities, and the band’s signature technical prowess. “A Sign of…

Delain’s sophomore album, “April Rain,” released in 2009, finds the Dutch symphonic metal band building upon the strong foundation laid by their critically acclaimed debut, “Lucidity.” While retaining the core elements that garnered them success – Charlotte Wessels’ soaring vocals, intricate symphonic arrangements, and powerful metal riffs – “April Rain” showcases a subtle evolution in…

Delain’s 2021 album, “Dark Waters,” marks a turning point for the symphonic metal band. Following the departure of longtime vocalist Charlotte Wessels, Diana Leah steps into the spotlight, ushering in a new era defined by both change and continuity. “Dark Waters” blends elements of Delain’s established sound with fresh pop sensibilities, resulting in an album…

Outer Heaven’s debut album, “Realms of Eternal Decay,” is a fetid feast for death metal purists. Released in 2018 via the legendary Relapse Records, this album is a relentless onslaught of crushing riffs, guttural growls, and a pervading sense of dread. While lacking the nuanced brutality of their later works, “Realms of Eternal Decay” establishes…

Outer Heaven’s sophomore album, “Infinite Psychic Depths,” plunges the listener into a vortex of unrelenting death metal rife with technicality and moments of unsettling atmosphere. Following up on their well-received debut, “Realms of Decay,” the American outfit showcases a band unafraid to push the boundaries of brutality while weaving in unexpected melodic twists. However, “Infinite…

Iron Maiden’s 2000 album, “Brave New World,” marked a glorious return to form. Following the experimental and commercially less successful Blaze Bayley years, the prodigal son, Bruce Dickinson, returned to the band alongside guitarist Adrian Smith. This reunion breathed new life into Iron Maiden, resulting in an album that seamlessly blended the band’s classic sound…

Bell Witch, the Seattle-based doom metal duo, returns with a gargantuan offering: “Future’s Shadow Part 1: The Clandestine Gate.” This 83-minute behemoth is the first installment in a trilogy, and it throws down the gauntlet for any band daring to compete in the realm of epic funeral doom. Does “The Clandestine Gate” crush under its…

Skyblazer’s debut album, “Infinity’s Wings,” is a triumphant blast of pure, unadulterated power metal. Packed with soaring vocals, blazing guitar riffs, and keyboard flourishes, the album is a love letter to the genre’s golden age. Does Skyblazer recapture the magic of the past, or is “Infinity’s Wings” simply a derivative echo? Let’s strap on our…

Azaghal, the Finnish black metal veterans, return with their latest offering, “Alttarimme on luista tehty,” which translates to “Our Altar is Made of Bones.” This album marks a return to their roots, embracing a raw, icy, and uncompromising style of black metal that will surely please fans of the genre’s early days. A Return to…

Auld Ridge, the mystical black metal project helmed by the prolific O.W.G.A., returns with “Folklore From Further Out.” This latest offering ventures beyond the established boundaries of the genre, blending traditional black metal aggression with haunting folk melodies and epic storytelling. Does this unique tapestry resonate or unravel? Let’s delve into the wilds of “Folklore…

Vile Ritual, the one-man project helmed by the enigmatic entity known only as “M,” unleashes a torrent of sonic savagery with their debut album, “Caverns of Occultic Hatred.” This offering isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s a raw, claustrophobic descent into the abyss of old-school death metal, rife with dissonance, brutality, and a touch…

Vastum’s fifth album, “Inward to Gethsemane,” marks a shift from their usual focus on the visceral and profane. This offering delves into the murky depths of religious and spiritual anguish, dissecting themes of hypocrisy, guilt, and the struggle for faith. Does Vastum successfully navigate these new territories, or does “Inward to Gethsemane” leave listeners yearning…

Mansion’s sophomore album, “Second Death,” is a harrowing journey into the depths of doom metal infused with unsettling atmosphere and unsettling religious fanaticism. Following their critically acclaimed debut, “First Death of the Lutheran,” the Finnish band delves deeper into the abyss, exploring the dark tenets of Kartanoism – a bizarre Finnish Christian sect known for…