Metal Assault: Album Reviews

By Ryan Falla

Las Vegas natives SicociS have been making a serious name for themselves in the metal scene; often regarded as the best local metal act by Las Vegas publications. The content present in the record ‘Requiem of the World’ shows off their talents in the best way possible. This record fuses melodic death metal with prog elements and power metal into a formula that is so cohesive with its multitude of elements, it’s almost indescribable. Continue reading “Album Review: SicociS – Requiem of the World”

By Ryan Falla

Former Iron Maiden vocalist Blaze Bayley releases his 9th solo album ‘Endure and Survive’ as a continuation of a sci-fi trilogy concept presented in the record ‘Infinite Entanglement’. The fact that this is a heavy “sci-fi” oriented album calls back to Blaze’s ‘X-Factor’ and ‘Virtual XI’ days with Iron Maiden. Now, Blaze isn’t trying to call back to his Iron Maiden fame, this sci-fi power metal concept is simply what lies in the wheelhouse of Blaze Bayley. Continue reading “Album Review: Blaze Bayley – Endure and Survive”

By Rosie Walker

Tuomas Saukkonen has a unique, uninhibited ability to make metal music. He has triumphed in the scene with his bands Before the Dawn and Black Sun Aeon. This Finn has dappled in so many projects over the years that everyone was shocked when he ended them all to focus on just one. In 2012, he dropped everything to cradle his new creation, Wolfheart. The first full-length album ‘Winterborn’ came out in 2013 and made a significant impression. Tuomas culminated all his creative powers and made something far beyond expectation. Then we were blessed with ’Shadow World’. On this second album, Tuomas and the band dug even deeper into the dark corners of the metal realm. Now, the much anticipated third release is here. ’Tyhjyys’ ascends the mediocrity of modern metal and reveals the limitless ability of leader Tuomas Saukkonen as he exposes the sublime superiority of his creation, Wolfheart. Continue reading “Album Review: Wolfheart – Tyhjyys”

By Doug Walker

Mothership, the power trio from Texas, offers up their third record ‘High Strangeness’. Fans of psych metal who haven’t heard them yet would do well to check them out on this one. The first thought I had when listening through this was “Man… those guys have got to be stoked on how this came out.” The record is exceptionally well produced and mixed. It’s a fantastic balance of no-frills tracking and absolutely on-point balancing between the parts. Continue reading “Album Review: Mothership – High Strangeness”

By Ryan Falla

Danko Jones is the epitome of the false revival of “old-school rock n’ roll”. The record ‘Wild Cat’ is the culmination of try-hard badassery injected into the most basic rock n’ roll formula. This is the same man whose music catalog consists of “Rock n’ Roll Proletariat”, “Rock Shit Hot”, “Rock n’ Roll Is Black and Blue”. This extreme pretension in the “rock revival” elements present within the catalog of Danko Jones is astounding. Continue reading “Album Review: Danko Jones – Wild Cat”

By Rosie Walker

Sweden is a nation where many metal masters have emerged. Scandinavia in general is known for inspiring heavy bands, making it home to some of the biggest metal acts in the world. Birthing legends like Amon Amarth and Opeth, Sweden is also cranking out new, upcoming bands. Continue reading “Album Review: Bloodbound – War Of Dragons”