Browsing Tag

heavy metal

Shrapnel take us into the ‘DARK AGE’ with their new blackened thrash metal sound.

Posted on 16 October 2021

After achieving coveted status in the thrash scene, Shrapnel boldly broached nuanced atmospheric territory with their latest single, DARK AGE.

Their sonic shift proves that they’re so much more than your run of the mill hard and fast powerhouse with the capacity to keep the boomers that nothing but assimilation happy. Their new testament to their authenticity may not have won over thrash purists, but seriously, the 80s happened 40 years ago, mate; the world doesn’t freeze in stasis because your tastes are pedantically pathetic.

Like their former releases; the progressions in DARK AGE still blaze at a breakneck frenetic speed, but in this groove metal hit, there is enough spatial effect to leave you captivated by the constant transitions in the super techy riffs, bouncy breakdowns, infallibly gorgeous drums and laceratingly sharp vocal hooks.

It’s enough to give you serious nostalgia for the Saw III soundtrack with the fleeting reminiscence to Slayer, Static X and Lamb of God, but anyone searching for new tumultuous catharsis and practically pornographic talent won’t be disappointed.

After seeing first-hand their ability to leave a crowd frenzied and pious to their matchless stage presence while supporting Evile on tour in Manchester earlier this month, I can safely say that Shrapnel isn’t a band to be slept on. Even with their tendency to take inspiration from the most nefarious and brutal facets of the human experience, Shrapnel’s sheer ingenuity that makes nihilism enjoyable won’t fail to leave you psyched. Save a spot on your radar.

The official video premiered on October 15th; check it out for yourselves via YouTube.

Artist links: Website, Facebook, Instagram, Spotify

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Finding a way to survive no matter what: Wirral Heavy Metal Rockers Riptide Messiah rise up again from the dust on ‘Still Human’

Posted on 4 January 2021

Riptide Messiah send us a heart-boosting message of hope and grit on their excellent new single named ‘Still Human‘.

With their upcoming self-titled EP, which will be released this month; big things are on the way for the Wirral-based four piece band Riptide Messiah– who are on a mission to get their music known the masses during this pandemic. For them, this is the only way to keep busy and help others out there during this horrendous time.

Music is the savior to all problems and they make a hard-hitting sound that breathes new life into your ears to spark them to life and get you motivated again.

”Cold, numb, drowned in grief.”- Riptide Messiah

Their rawness and edgy sound helps them stand out from the crowd and the driving energy rips your shirt off here. His vocals are a tremendous shot to the cold face to that clears your doubts and gets you jumping in the air to get all frustration out. This is a band that are clearly in tune with each other and this is a song that deserves love.

We are all still human no matter what our current circumstances are and this is the time to reevaluate ourselves and build up our armor to be indestructible if this even happens again. Things may seem dark but the light is there if you look deep enough for it.

No what happens in our lives we need to find a way to rise up again. This pandemic has been absolutely terrifying but if we can find others that are willing to go to battle with you and be there in tough times, the bond is like blood and will be there forever.

Merseyside Heavy Metal act Riptide Messiah prove that brotherhood is alive and well on ‘Still Human‘. They were formed from the ashes of the frost-bitten floor and will only be stronger now as they have achieved something that many others haven’t been able to. The band have made quality music with a real self-aware message, during a time that shows who are willing to do whatever it takes to get their message out there; to inspire fellow citizens of the world that are cold and need heat-filled motivation to face an uncertain tomorrow with a new mindset.

Enjoy this new wave British Metal single on Spotify and see their story of social media via IG and FB.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

INSiGHT deliver a damning depiction of the socio-political climate with ‘THiS is AMERiCA’

Posted on 21 December 2020

Opening up with the powerful statement that ‘last year, 39,603 people died from gun violence in the USA’, ‘THiS is AMERiCA’ is a powerful indictment of gun culture and bloodshed from the California-based metallers INSiGHT. Once a six-piece, and now effectively the solo-project of multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Dave, INSiGHT drive hard-hitting, hard-riffing metal in the style of Machine Head, Pantera, Metallica, or the late, great Randy Rhoads.

Grinding and thundering like another sadly-lost guitar hero, Dimebag Darrell, Dave’s guitar tone is all heavily-scooped gain-cascaded chug and grind, the vocals alternately nonchalant and angry, mumbled or growled over rumbling bass and heavy blast-beat drums. It’s a potent mix, the angry, disbelieving message of the track made all the stronger by the stomping grind of the riff, like Pantera’s ‘Walk’ or Machine Head’s stunning ‘Davidian’. Boosted by the potent animated lyric video, ‘THiS is AMERiCA’ is a strong introduction to INSiGHT’s forthcoming album ‘GEMiNi: The Light And The Dark’.

Check out ‘THiS is AMERiCA’ on YouTube, and follow INSiGHT on Facebook and Instagram.

Review by Alex Holmes

Heavy Metal Rockers Six Feet To Salvation rips out with powerful ”Take It Away”

Posted on 7 July 2020

Six Feet To Salvation is an Alt-Rock and Heavy Metal band straight outta of Fort Wayne in Indiana. The band combine the hard hitting riffs of metal with the energy of punk, Six Feet to Salvation certainly bring a unique sound to the crowded US rock music scene.

”Take It Away” is a high-energy swing for the fences and the band really grips on hard here. This is a smashing single that pushes the boundaries here. Indiana’s Six Feet To Salvation are a band that appeal to so many different fans due to their punk, metal and alt rock influences. They give 100% effort and mix in the new and old school.

Influenced by God Smack, Green Day, Blink 182, Bullet For My Valentine and Avenged Sevenfold, Six Feet To Salvation are a terrific band with a massive future. We look forward to more music from the Fort Wayne act who rock out with ”Take It Away”.

Stream this new track via the Soundcloud page.

Head through to Facebook for more info on live shows.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

CANIBALS NYC – Blue Heaven: Heavy Metal Has Never Hit Harder

Posted on 19 August 2018

CANIBALS NYC’s latest single Blue Haven took me right back to the debut days of Slipknot, and that’s a brand of nostalgia I will always be keen to revel in. With a palpable amount of Nu Metal hype, the track unfolds under feverishly chaotic composition for the ultimate offering in sludgy, angular, aggressive alchemy. The New York based artists technically fall into the Ghetto Core arena but that’s not to say all of the archetypally Heavy Metal boxes aren’t violently ticked with their single Blue Heaven. Even if their concordantly brash choice of style doesn’t win you over, the band’s admiral ethos and reluctance to leave their roots behind will. Behind the aggression in the vocals and the cataclysmically heavy instrumentals is a message of pure unadulterated resistance against the government and the disparity that it drives people to.

There is no wonder why seminal bands such as Agnostic Front, Murphy’s Law and Leeway have previously opted for CANIBALS NYC to open for them at their shows. I’m just amazed there was anyone left standing for the headline act to be honest.

You can check out CANIBALS NYC’s latest single Blue Heaven for yourselves by heading over to their Reverb Nation page.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Crisis King – White Grave: Sonorously Sinister Heavy Metal

Posted on 29 June 2018

White Grave is just one of the sensational new singles from Crisis King’s latest album Planetary Suicide. The track may take a while to kick in thanks to their fairly progressive style, but once you get to the end of this Heavy Metal Post-Hardcore track you kind of feel like you’ve been taken on an epic journey. The extended 7:47 minute track leaves plenty of room for multiple intricate instrumental breakdowns and blindingly sexy guitar solos. If you’re a Dream Theatre fan, it’s hard to go wrong with Crisis King.

The New York based band take inspirations from artists such as Pantera, Megadeath and Iron Maiden to create their eclectically heavy style. Whilst the instrumentals were absolutely flawless, I couldn’t help but feel that the softer and more melodic vocals weren’t quite the perfect match. But when the momentum in the vocals was picked up, it was perfection. Having said that, it’s quite refreshing to be able to make out the lyrics to a Heavy Metal track with their accessible approach.

You can check out Crisis King’s latest single White Grave along with their album Planetary Suicide now via Spotify

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Shadow Horse twist that bridges the gaps between old school and contemporary metal

Posted on 22 August 2017
The Visitor by Shadow Horse

Shadow Horse is a heavy metal band hailing from Nashville, Tennessee. Their music immediately stands out for its broad range and for the band’s unique approach to songwriting, denoting a truly special personality and an original twist that bridges the gaps between old school and contemporary metal.

The band’s recent single, “Spear”, is a great example of the well-refined sonic mechanism at the core of the band’s tone. The song has some really great riffs, a dense, heavy beat and more importantly, a smooth vocal flow that sits perfectly on top of the instruments, easily cutting through the mix.

On “Spear”, Shadow Horse showcases a driven attitude, with lots of talent and a unique vision. Their tone could be described as a refreshing blend of doom and heavy metal, echoing the work of influential artists such as Black Sabbath, Judas Priest or Arch Enemy, only to mention a few of the bands that come to mind while listening to this music.