Metal Assault: Album Reviews

By Andrew Bansal

Hailing from Edmonton, Alberta, Striker have been a band since 2007 and with each of their past three full-length studio albums and touring cycles, they’ve won the hearts of metalheads all over the globe, the then first-time listeners that now constitute their ever-growing cult fan-base. The Canadian quintet first caught Metal Assault’s attention with their stellar second LP ‘Armed To The Teeth’ (2012), came out with a great follow-up ‘City Of God’ (2014), and established themselves on the website’s radar permanently by blowing their headliners Artillery off the stage on a US support run in early 2015. In 2016, they present their newest full-length ‘Stand In The Fire’, which promised to be their best effort yet, and at the very least, another fun-filled set of tunes that retains their reputation. Continue reading “Striker – Stand In The Fire”

By Andrew Bansal

The old-school metal ways of the ‘70s and ‘80s have made quite the resurgence in recent years, and one would be in complete denial to say it isn’t so. The internet and the easy access to music has led to the current generation of teens and twenty-somethings discovering bands from several decades ago, and in turn seeking modern-day bands that pursue similar musical styles. The fan-following for traditional heavy metal, a la Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Saxon, Satan, Angel Witch and Witchfinder General, is truly global, with kids everywhere from the far East to the far West spinning records, wearing denim battle vests and banging their heads to the music of traditional metal stalwarts old and new. The impact of these bands has certainly been felt in the U.S. as well, thanks also in part to America’s own old-school metal legacy comprising the likes of Riot, Armored Saint, Manilla Road and Iced Earth, and this not only applies to the big cities but to every corner of this vast country. One wouldn’t associate Louisville, Kentucky with old-school metal, but then came Savage Master to put this town on the metal map. The quintet released their debut full-length album ‘Mask Of The Devil’ in 2014, gained quite the cult following mainly because of their live performances and visual stage antics, and have now unleashed their second LP ‘With Whips And Chains’, which comes as a highly anticipated release in the traditional metal circles. Continue reading “Savage Master – With Whips And Chains”

By Andrew Bansal

Swedish metal trio Grand Magus have been going strong for more than 15 years, delivering their blend of victorious tunes, staying true to the ‘denim and leather’ brand of heavy metal. Through each of their past seven full-length studio albums they have only enhanced their reputation and expanded their global fan-base, and it’s about time the metal universe readied itself for yet another brand new Grand Magus masterstroke. Simply and aptly titled ‘Sword Songs’, the band’s eighth studio LP releases May 13th 2016 via Nuclear Blast, and meets all expectations. Continue reading “Grand Magus – Sword Songs”

By Lisa Burke

The punk-infused hard rock antics of Los Angeles-based The dramedy continue to turn ears wherever they go as they have just released a second limited edition cassette titled ‘What time is life?’ with a total of 150 copies while the supplies last, and they are obtainable for purchase through Wiener Records. The dramedy comprises of only two members Dave Davids and Abby Vester. Dave masterminds all guitar, vocals, lyrics and cover art while Abby fuses it all together with her old-school garage punk style hard-hitting drumming. This is one of those musical groups that can create a complete sound without the live addition of bass or other instrumentation into the mix and still comes out on top in creativity and style. After viewing them live and listening to their previously released double A-side cassette single featuring ‘Not The Only One’ and ‘Ring For Two’ complete with three live downloads, one of which, titled ‘Rejection Piece’, is the first track on this new cassette, and adding two more songs to the mix on this release, it is clear these two are an emerging talent and ready to reach the next level. Continue reading “The Dramedy – What Time Is Life?”

By Andrew Bansal

Fledgling Denver, Colorado-based trio Saddle Of Southern Darkness was formed in 2015 by brothers Trent and Chase Williams with one aim, to bring their country and metal influences together into a unified sound. Saddle Of Southern Darkness are presenting this brand of ‘evil country’ via their self-titled debut full-length album, released independently in November 2015. Continue reading “Saddle Of Southern Darkness – Self-Titled”

By Andrew Bansal

Over the eight years of their existence, Holy Grail have developed into one of Los Angeles’ most prominent young group of metal flagbearers, but more than staying true to the so-called ‘old-school’ brand of metal that they started out perpetrating on the debut EP ‘Improper Burial’ (2009), Holy Grail have stayed true to their creative instincts and have broken new ground for themselves by venturing into a variety of musical territories through the two full-length albums ‘Crisis In Utopia’ (2010) and ‘Ride The Void’ (2013). Now, having solidified a five-member lineup that has stayed constant for the past five years, Holy Grail are ready to unveil their third full-length album ‘Times Of Pride And Peril’ on February 12th 2016 via Prosthetic Records. Continue reading “Holy Grail – Times Of Pride And Peril”