Metal Assault: Album Reviews

By Andrew Bansal

French progressive extreme metal quartet Gojira have enjoyed a meteoric rise since the release of their fifth LP ‘L’Enfant Sauvage’ (2012) and the globally reaching touring cycle that subsequently came with it. But this was no sellout move by any means, and they achieved all of this success by progressing vastly as songwriters within a short period of time, striking the right balance between complexity and accessibility. In existence since ’96 (and since 2001 under this name), Gojira have made a distinct statement with each album and have never made the same album twice. So, when it was time for follow-up to ‘L’Enfant Sauvage’, it was unanimously expected of Gojira to not only retain their newfound popularity, but also to deliver the goods on all fronts in a manner that would satiate their longtime fans as well as expand their outreach in equal measure. Enter Gojira’s sixth full-length effort ‘Magma’, slated for a June 17 2016 release via Roadrunner Records. Continue reading “Gojira – Magma”

By Andrew Bansal

With a stellar self-titled debut full-length release and tremendous live performances appearing on high-profile national and international tours, Austin, Texas hard rock band Scorpion Child were the breakthrough artists in the world of heavy music in the year 2013, but then disappeared to regroup and rebuild, and much to the delight of their newfound fanbase of 2013, they have now returned with a revamped lineup and a brand new LP ‘Acid Roulette’, slated for release throughout the U.S, U.K. and Europe on June 10th 2016 via Nuclear Blast. Blending blues and psychedelia into their brand of hard rock on the tunes that decorated their debut effort, Scorpion Child recreated the classic ’70s vibe with greater conviction and power than their peers, and brought forth a highly discernible degree of fresh exuberance. They were certainly missed for the last two years. Much was expected from their new album, and it remained to be seen whether they’re still worthy of being the frontrunners in the new breed of young bands waving the classic hard rock flag. Continue reading “Scorpion Child – Acid Roulette”

By Andrew Bansal

French psychedelic stoner rock trio Mars Red Sky have been in existence since 2007, and first landed on Metal Assault’s radar in 2012 through a random exploratory Bandcamp session. It’s incredible how hard rock/heavy metal music is supposedly ‘dead’ and yet people can still discover such great hidden talent if only they tried. Mars Red Sky’s 2011 eponymous debut LP left an indelible impression on Metal Assault, and their stature was further heightened by the 2014 follow-up album ‘Stranded In Arcadia’. Now, the band is ready to release their third full-length ‘Apex III (Praise For The Burning Soul) on May 20th 2016 in North America via Listenable Records, and just like their previous efforts, promised to be quite the hallucinogenic trip down psychedelic pastures. Continue reading “Mars Red Sky – Apex III (Praise For The Burning Soul)”

By Andrew Bansal

When it comes to modern-day traditional heavy metal, hardly anyone can deny or argue against Canada’s status as world leaders in the genre, with bands like Striker, Skull Fist, Cauldron, Axxion, Iron Kingdom and many others marching triumphantly in their respective conquests to keep the old school alive. Adding to the crop of such bands, Vancouver BC trio Spell existed as Stryker for a few years before changing their name in 2013 and releasing the debut Spell full-length ‘The Full Moon Sessions’ in 2014. Now they are ready to release the follow-up LP ‘For None And All’ on May 27 2016 via Bad Omen Records, another potential treat for old-school metalheads constantly seeking new bands with the old sound. Continue reading “Spell – For None And All”

By Andrew Bansal

Norwegian six-piece Kvelertak have garnered the hard rock/heavy metal world’s attention with their eclectic blend of rock ’n roll, extreme metal and hardcore punk, portrayed excellently on their 2010 self-titled debut LP as well as on the 2013 follow-up ‘Meir’, and presented with tremendous energy on stage. The band released their third full-length ‘Nattesferd’, on Roadrunner Records in May 2016. It takes an open mind to be fully appreciate Kvelertak’s music, and the band’s fans expect the unexpected from them. But ’Nattesferd’ takes even their most loyal, die-hard and open-minded fans by surprise. Continue reading “Kvelertak – Nattesferd”

By Andrew Bansal

In an era where thrash metal is on the decline, the so-called ‘new wave’ of thrash that surfaced a decade ago having almost completely died down and the sub-genre being kept alive mainly due to the efforts of a handful of old bands, San Francisco veterans Death Angel have surged ahead as thrash’s true saviors. The band made a comeback in 2001 after being absent for the entirety of the ’90s, and proved that their comeback was no nostalgia trip, with albums like ‘The Art Of Dying’ (2004) and ‘Killing Season’ (2008). But through their recent work on ‘Relentless Retribution’ (2010) and ‘The Dream Calls For Blood’ (2013), they left no one in doubt that they’re right at the top, ruling the modern-day thrash universe. Besides, their rip-roaring live performances have further cemented their stature in metal. Death Angel are ready to release their eighth studio album ‘The Evil Divide’ on May 27 2016 via Nuclear Blast. While the previous two albums were similar in every aspect, right down to the cover artwork, ‘The Evil Divide’ breaks away from the pattern and injects fresh blood into the band’s repertoire. Continue reading “Death Angel – The Evil Divide”