Album Reviews

23
Aug
2019
Album Review: PSOTY – Sunless

Album Review: PSOTY – Sunless

When a copy of Sunless by PSOTY (formerly known as Pet Slimmers of the Year) landed at Noodle Towers, I didn’t know what to expect. A week later and it’s played more than anything else in the office.

Post Metal? Post Rock? I don’t know, they don’t seem to fit neatly into a single genre. What they bring with Sunless is a crushing assault of pounding bass and drums, huge-sounding guitars and ever-changing dynamics which take you on a journey into their dark and mesmerising world. And it’s glorious! Continue reading →

Posted by Mark Smith in Album Reviews
14
Aug
2019
Album Review: Klone – Le Grand Voyage

Album Review: Klone – Le Grand Voyage

Klone return with their new album, Le Grand Voyage, their first since signing with Kscope. Klone are one of those bands who fly under the radar of most people, but when you discover them it’s hard to ignore them. The French band are hard to describe. Atmospheric Rock probably covers it best but it somehow doesn’t feel like enough. Imagine mixing Gojira and Steven Wilson in a blender and you might be part way there. What really makes them stand out though is their use of space and layers to create their beautifully atmospheric music and they’ve achieved that wonderfully on Le Grand Voyage. Continue reading →

Posted by Mark Smith in Album Reviews
13
Aug
2019
Album Review: Hammerfall – Dominion

Album Review: Hammerfall – Dominion

Swedish Metal legends Hammerfall return with their latest album, Dominion. Some bands evolve into something else over time, Hammerfall have chosen the other route and refined their sound.

Dominion isn’t going to surprise anyone, what it does instead simply shows what a well-oiled machine Hammerfall have become. The album sounds fresh and Hammerfall show they are as hungry as they’ve ever been to bring their own brand of melodic power metal to the masses. Continue reading →

Posted by Mark Smith in Album Reviews
01
Aug
2019
Album Review: Steven Wilson – Hand. Cannot. Erase. Deluxe 2-Disc CD & Blu-Ray Edition

Album Review: Steven Wilson – Hand. Cannot. Erase. Deluxe 2-Disc CD & Blu-Ray Edition

Originally released in 2015, Hand. Cannot. Erase was a huge hit with fans and critics alike. The new 2 disc set brings back the original album and also includes a Blu-ray disc featuring the album in hi-resolution stereo & 5.1 audio (96/24 5.1 LPCM & DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1), along with seven additional tracks including alternative & radio mixes. The Lasse Hoile Studio Documentary & studio sessions photo gallery complete the Blu-ray. Continue reading →

Posted by Mark Smith in Album Reviews
30
Jul
2019
Album/EP Review: Rabea Massaad – Grinding Gears, Vol. 2

Album/EP Review: Rabea Massaad – Grinding Gears, Vol. 2

Rabea Massaad is a busy guy. The Dorje and Toska guitarist never seems to stop so I don’t know how he finds the time to release his solo music. Grinding Gears Vol. 2 is, unsurprisingly, the follow-up to last year’s Grinding Gears Vol. 1 and sees Rabea return with another instrumental guitar masterclass.

Straight away you find yourself beaten around the head with some deliciously chunky riffs in Cthulhu. I couldn’t think of a better way to open the album than with the constant barrage to the senses Cthulhu provides. Rumbling bass, pounding drums and huge riffs never sounded so good. And then we are treated to some sweet lead playing at the end to round things off perfectly. Continue reading →

Posted by Mark Smith in Album Reviews
31
May
2019
Album Review: Darkthrone – Old Star

Album Review: Darkthrone – Old Star

Darkthrone return with their follow up to Arctic Thunder. Fenriz and Nocturno Culto have been busy at Necrohell 2 Studios working away to create possibly their best album yet. In the build-up to the release, Fenriz stated Old Star would be the bands most 80’s sounding album to date with the focus squarely on the riffs and it doesn’t disappoint. Continue reading →

Posted by Mark Smith in Album Reviews
01
May
2019
Album Review And Interview: Mammoth Weed Wizard Bastard – Yn Ol I Annwn

Album Review And Interview: Mammoth Weed Wizard Bastard – Yn Ol I Annwn

Yn Ol I Annwn is no ordinary doom metal album, but then, Mammoth Weed Wizard Bastard are no ordinary doom metal band. Album opener, Tralfamadore, sounds more like something you’d find on a Tangerine Dream album than you’d expect from a doom band. The 2 minutes of synth let you know you’re in for something a bit different. Continue reading →

Posted by Mark Smith in Album Reviews
06
Apr
2019
Album Review: Nex – The World Collapses

Album Review: Nex – The World Collapses

When a copy of The World Collapses landed on my desk to review I had no idea what to expect. Nex are a modern groove/death metal band from Poland who have been working on refining their sound since 2014. I hadn’t heard of them before but after listening to their debut album I’m definitely a fan. Continue reading →

Posted by Mark Smith in Album Reviews
02
Apr
2019
Album Review: Ola Englund – Master Of The Universe

Album Review: Ola Englund – Master Of The Universe

Ola Englund is a huge YouTube star, plays in The Haunted and Feared, runs Solar guitars and is a family man. How he found the time to record his first solo album is a mystery but with the release of Master Of The Universe, he has put together an early contender for album of the year. Continue reading →

Posted by Mark Smith in Album Reviews