Metal Assault: Album Reviews

By Ryan Falla

1476 is a heavily experimental metal band from Salem, Massachusetts. Where some bands would root themselves into a couple of sub-genres while taking elements from varied genres to create their musical identifier, 1476 foregoes the typical “genre” build by floating in a sea of fluid waters. Instead of setting you on a specific, foreseeable path, with ‘Our Season Draws Near’ 1476 takes more after white river rafting. It isn’t so much that the album is “never ending ferocity” like many would expect from a metal band; what 1476 brings is a constantly changing, yet fluid piece of work that keeps you on your toes because you genuinely don’t know what’s going to come next. Continue reading “Album Review: 1476 – Our Season Draws Near”

By Andrew Bansal

Glam metal comedy/parody kings Steel Panther are veterans in their own right, toiling hard on the Sunset Strip week upon week for several years before breaking through as a global phenomenon. With an unbeatable combination of solid musicianship, skilled lyric writing and immaculate comedic timing, Steel Panther became one of the greatest bands on the planet. They started out as Metal Shop, then became Danger Kitty, then Metal Skool and finally Steel Panther, but the essence of the band remained the same throughout, only their songs and live shows got funnier. On March 2017, they released their new album ‘Lower the Bar’, a collection of 11 brand new songs that further spread their signature gospel of sleazy humor and glam metal. Continue reading “Album Review: Steel Panther – Lower the Bar”

By Andrew Bansal

Based out of Vancouver BC, Canadian guitarist Matt Chanway is a member of death/thrash band Assimilation who released their debut full-length in March 2017, but recently, Chanway also worked on his own set of tunes showcasing his guitar prowess, and put out his eponymous debut album. Guitar nerds and prog fanatics, strap yourselves in because this is a wild rollercoaster of an album, and one that firmly puts this guitarist on your radar. Continue reading “Album Review: Matt Chanway – Self-Titled”

By Rosie Walker

Equilibrium is a bright light in the epic European metal scene. Since the band’s humble beginnings in 2001, they have managed to manufacture music that is distinctive and enjoyable. Their newest addition, ’Armageddon’, is the band’s fifth album and surpasses all expectations. Hailing from the Southern regions of Germany, these guys highlight their roots by incorporating the unique German culture into their sound and lyrics. Plus a majority of their songs are sung in German, but you don’t need a translator to enjoy and understand the vibrant, fun music on this new album, which again proves that heavy metal is a universal language. Continue reading “Album Review: Equilibrium – Armageddon”

By Ryan Falla

Tygers of Pan Tang finally break back into the American scene after a 34 year absence with their self-titled record ‘Tygers of Pan Tang’. Tygers is a classic NWOBHM band that originated in the roots of the musical movement. They may not be the most memorable band to come out of the NWOBHM movement, but there is little doubt to the question of their success. However, there is a definite reason as to why they don’t share the same success as other bands to come from the same era. Continue reading “Album Review: Tygers Of Pan Tang – Self-Titled”

By Erik Brasher

The idea of “time” is established in every culture. We all see its effects but it still seems somehow elusive and mysterious. It seems to be a mathematical constant, but sometimes it appears to move fast or slow. It is truly valuable because we all wish we had more to spend, and we don’t like to waste it. This continual passage of time is personified as the ‘Emperor of Sand’ in the newest album from Mastodon. Continue reading “Album Review: Mastodon – Emperor of Sand”