Metal Assault: Album Reviews

By Andrew Bansal

Over the past four decades, Americanized British old-school heavy metal cult legends Raven have carried themselves through thick and thin with unmatchable determination, drive and passion, fully embodying their self-created ‘rock until you drop’ ethos. But equally importantly, the trio of John Gallagher (vocals & bass), Mark Gallagher (guitar) and Joe Hasselvander (drums) have continually nurtured their creative abilities that have enabled them to stay relevant in the modern-day, wherein countless bands exist and an endless plethora of music is available at the click of a button. Six years after the release of their 2009 effort ‘Walk Through Fire’, Raven are ready with their thirteenth full-length studio album ‘ExtermiNation’, funded via a Kickstarter campaign and set to be unleashed to masses worldwide in late April 2015. Continue reading “Raven – ExtermiNation”

By Andrew Bansal

Stepping into the second decade of their career, Swedish traditional heavy metal warriors Enforcer are ready with the follow-up to their captivating third studio full-length ‘Death By Fire’ which was released in 2013. The new creation ‘From Beyond’ has already been unveiled in Europe and the UK via Nuclear Blast, and awaits its April 7 US release on the same label. ‘Death By Fire’ is undeniably one of the finest efforts to have graced the genre in recent times and counts as a crucial contribution to the revival and conservation of the continuously diminishing realm of clean-singing heavy metal. Enforcer had a task-and-a-half on their hands, carrying the burden of their own creative achievements. But fans and followers had a feeling they would live up to the standards they’ve set, and with ‘From Beyond’, it appears that they have done so. Continue reading “Enforcer – From Beyond”

By Andrew Bansal

Following a stellar, acclaimed 2010 debut full-length effort ’13 Arcane Hymns’, Canadian industrial/ambient heavy rock duo The Unravelling were forced into a hiatus because of vocalist Steve Moore’s battle with cancer. But due to his full recovery, The Unravelling are active once again and have returned with a sense of purpose. Their new single ‘Revolt’ is set for an independent April 25 release, and clearly expresses their past inner turmoils through their musical talent.

Heavy on synth but still focussing on the guitar sound to a large extent, ‘Revolt’ maintains a strong hard rock/metal vibe and raises itself head and shoulders above other industrial projects that get carried away with the synth layers and kill the guitars almost completely. The music is fully composed and produced by Gustavo de Beauville, and combines fluently with Steve Moore’s vocal delivery. The tense buildup evident in the tune as it progresses through its four-minute duration is pleasantly reminiscent of Porcupine Tree, and portrays a style of musicianship that would be instantly appreciated by fans of not only that band but others like Tool, Nine Inch Nails and Faith No More. ‘Revolt’ is The Unravelling’s triumphant return.

Rating: 9/10

Release Date: April 25th 2015

Links: facebook | bandcamp

By Andrew Bansal

Texas-based multi-instrumentalist and musical visionary Kevin Price has been creating and compiling richly layered extreme metal music for the past fourteen years, and has finally been able to release this set of compositions under the moniker Unfathomed Of Abyss. Titled ‘Arisen Upon Oblivion’, nearly hour-long offering was released independently on October 8th 2014, and even amidst a vast plethora of new albums put out by bands in a genre that seems to be enjoying a tremendous wave of popularity amongst metalheads all over the planet, Price’ effort does not go unnoticed and offers something unique. Continue reading “Unfathomed Of Abyss – Arisen Upon Oblivion”

By Andrew Bansal

In 2011, three former members of legendary doom metal band Trouble, Eric Wagner (vocals), Ron Holzner (bass) and Jeff Olson (drums) joined forces with the guitar duo of Lothar Keller and Matt Goldsborough to form The Skull. The new group has been making carefully selected live appearances and garnering unanimous approval from doom diehards. They have now unveiled their debut full-length effort via Tee Pee Records, a ten-track effort poised to satiate fans of the genre everywhere. Ever since witnessing them  smoke out Loaded Hollywood with a glorious headline performance in 2013, I’ve been eagerly waiting for this album, and in all honesty, it does not disappoint Continue reading “The Skull – For Those Which Are Asleep”

By Andrew Bansal

Boston MA-based technical/progressive thrash metal band Revocation have earned an almost unanimous level of respect and admiration amongst metalheads and critics alike over their 8-year career so far, through six impressive studio efforts and countless live performances all over the world. Their fourth full-length self-titled LP came out in 2013 and marked the end of their tenure with Relapse Records, following which they immediately signed on to the legendary and historic Metal Blade label. Just a little over a year since, a prolific surge of creativity has seen them write, record and release their fifth full-length ‘Deathless’ for their Metal Blade debut. Continue reading “Revocation – Deathless”