Metal Assault: Album Reviews

By Francisco Zamudio

If you ever want to be taken back to the days of old school nintendo, where you stayed up late nights battling alien invaders, slaying dragons and cursed demons and needed a soundtrack for the final boss – you need look no further than the worldly metal of DragonForce, with members from Italy, the United Kingdom, France, Ukraine  and China. Shredders Herman Li and Sam Totman have been going strong since early 2000, and now they’re releasing their seventh full-length album, ‘Reaching Into Infinity’. Continue reading “Album Review: DragonForce – Reaching Into Infinity”

By Rosie Walker

In the late ’80s, the glam metal band Slaughter emerged from the Mojave Desert. The Las Vegan group saw success with frontman Mark Slaughter at the helm. They still tour today, but haven’t released any new music in years. Mark, with his limitless creativity, started a solo career in 2015. His second solo album ‘Halfway There’ is ready for release, and is an enduring, charismatic follow-up to his first record, ‘Reflections In A Rear View Mirror’. Grabbing the attention of the scene with his unwavering determination and skill, Mark Slaughter’s new record proves the relevance of rock n’ roll. Continue reading “Album Review: Mark Slaughter – Halfway There”

By Ryan Falla

Many of you may remember Beastmaker as Metal Assault’s emerging artist of the year for 2016 with their debut EP ‘You Must Sin’ and the full-length album follow-up ‘Lusus Naturae’. It’s no surprise to see Beastmaker hitting 2017 even harder than the previous year they already left behind in flames. Now we get to listen to the much anticipated follow up, ‘Inside the Skull’, and revel in all of its glory. It is an amazing, groovy stoner trip through dark psychedelia that you won’t be able to get enough of. Continue reading “Album Review: Beastmaker – Inside the Skull”

By Andrew Bansal

Canadian group Kobra and the Lotus emerged as the strongest new force in heavy metal with their 2012 self-titled full-length, and followed it up successfully with the 2014 release ‘High Priestess’. Three years later, the band has returned after having forging an ambitious double album, ‘Prevail’, and its first part was released today, Friday May 12 2017 via Napalm Records. Powerful clean singing, scorching guitar leads, technically precise rhythm section and catchy melodies and harmonies are traits commonly found in all of this band’s works, and on ‘Prevail I’, they attempt to retain all of these elements but also explore their musical identity in various new ways. Continue reading “Album Review: Kobra and the Lotus – Prevail I”

By Jaide Alicia

It goes without saying that Fates Warning is legendary when it came to forwarding the progressive metal movement in the mid to late eighties. Starting in 1982, they quickly formulated their sound and by 1986 they had released one of the most notable progressive metal albums that has stood the test of time, ‘Awaken The Guardian’. Continue reading “Review: Fates Warning – Awaken the Guardian Live (DVD+CD)”

By Rosie Walker

Allentown PA quartet, Mindmaze have released their third full-length album, ‘Resolve’. This band’s classic power metal sound makes one think they’re from overseas, but in fact, this group of guys and gal reside right here in the USA. Materializing in 2004 out of Pennsylvania, this group sets a prime example on how a band can work independently and still succeed. Setting ripples throughout the scene with their honest sound, the band has raised some considerable anticipation with this newest release. ‘Resolve’ is a record that has a strong emotional and serious vibe that hopefully is sending Mindmaze in the right direction. Continue reading “Album Review: MindMaze – Resolve”