Metal Assault: Album Reviews

By Ryan Falla

We have another local Los Angeles band for you, this time it’s Mountain Tamer; a fantastic stoner rock band that has dropped a debut record. There is a lot of top-notch action coming out of the Los Angeles metal scene and Mountain Tamer is one of those many bands that need attention paid to. Right from the start of the album you might be convinced this is a sold stoner rock band. While this is true, at first, the band flies far beyond the expectations you might set for yourself with the first track. Continue reading “Album Review: Mountain Tamer – Self-Titled”

By Ryan Falla

Straight from the first track of their self-titled debut album, Los Angeles band Fallen Suns re-introduces you to extremely powerful groove metal. This album is a winner right out the gate; much like the Phil Anselmo project Down, it strikes hard and heavy with a very concentrated aggression. I don’t pull the Down comparison out of the blue, it’s a very strong benchmark regarding the tone the band brings to the table. Given this is the debut record by Fallen Suns, the most pertinent question regarding the band would be “What do they sound like?” Continue reading “Album Review: Fallen Suns – Self-Titled”

By Ryan Falla

Blazing out of Los Angeles under the power of their sophomoric effort ‘And So We Fall…’ is the band Heavy Justice, who bill themselves as a thrash band, but to label them as purely such would be a disservice to the unbelievable dynamics present in this record. The ambition of Heavy Justice to launch themselves into unseen heights is palpable in their music; this record is a constant climax from the start to finish. Continue reading “Album Review: Heavy Justice – And So We Fall…”

By Francisco Zamudio

So far, 2017 has granted us some great releases from longstanding bands. And quite a few of those have been comeback albums, as it were from bands that have been on long hiatus. Undoubtedly, one of the most anticipated returns comes from Netherlands’ own God Dethroned, whose absence was strongly felt after nearly 20 years of great release after great release. The 70K Tons of Metal Cruise, the same place where vocalist Henri Sattler and company called it quits, was the same place a return would become eminent. Now after 7 years since the WWI epic ‘Under The Sign of the Iron Cross’ (2010), Sattler has returned with a new lineup to set The World Ablaze (via Metal Blade). Continue reading “Album Review: God Dethroned – The World Ablaze”

By Ryan Falla

Despite the Sword having a career that’s spanned over a decade, there hasn’t been too much in the way of official live tracks for The Sword. Aside from the three bonus tracks on the ‘Apocryphon’ album, we haven’t had too much exposure to official live recordings of the band, so their release of their first career live album is extremely heartening. The only question that needs to be asked here is, “Does this album stack up for The Sword lovers?” Continue reading “Album Review: The Sword – Greetings From…”

By Rosie Walker

Founded by guitarist and vocalist Adam Buszko, the Polish band Hate were pioneers in their country’s metal scene. Buszko has seen his project face many trials and triumphs over the years. Yet still manages to make moving music to this day. Moulded together in 1990, Hate continues to convey their extreme signature sound. This ninth release ‘Tremendum’ is inspired by the Latin phrase ‘mysterious tremendum’, meaning ‘mystery that repels’. Known for their provocative lyrics and severe sound, Hate keeps carrying the torch for extreme metal. Continue reading “Album Review: Hate – Tremendum”