Porcupine Tree’s affiliation with the larger metal community largely dates back to Steven Wilson’s acclaimed production credits on several of Opeth’s albums; most notably Blackwater Park.  Of course many metalheads would have already had the highly rated British prog-rockers on their radar but it was evidently the buzz from Wilson’s outstanding production and guest spots […]

Italy’s Void of Sleep is a relatively new entity that looks set to make significant waves when this excellent debut album hits the streets in early 2013.  They have been together since 2010, with their only prior release being a short promo EP titled Giants and Killers.But there is enough evidence on this debut full-length […]

Tired of overly clean, triggered production jobs and some of the more generic, sterile aspects of modern death metal?  Finland’s Desolate Shrine might just be the antidote you are looking for.  Hot on the heels of their 2011 debut Tenebrous Towers; the gut-wrenching The Sanctum of Human Darkness is the depraved follow-up.   This is dark […]

Beyond Threshold sounds like a fitting moniker for a thrash, or perhaps melodic death, or maybe even a metalcore band.  Instead, on their second album Who We Are, Beyond Threshold dish out a perplexing blend of commercially-inclined heavy rock with a big dose of late 90’s to early 00’s nu-metal.  Not exactly a musical recipe […]

Sweden’s Aeon is back with another brutal slab of their blasphemous brand of Floridian-styled death metal.  Aeons Black is their fourth album, and not a great deal has changed since dropping their Unique Leader debut Bleeding the False, back in 2005.  Aeon have never really had progression in mind, instead following a tried and true […]

Relapse Records has been in resurgent form over the last couple of years, revitalizing their roster and boosting their legendary track record and proven ability in providing exposure that some of the lesser known bands deserve.   Canada’s Weapon is another fine addition to the label’s large, esteemed staple.   Plucked from the grimy underground, Weapon applies […]

During their decade plus existence North Carolina’s Daylight Dies have in many ways defied the odds.  Originally written off by many as a subpar clone of their European influences, Daylight Dies have steadily matured, increasingly honing their craft and sharpening their song-writing chops to a fine point.   Subsequently they have carved out their own unique […]

Atlanta, Georgia residents Royal Thunder made a strong statement with their self-titled EP in 2010; blending bluesy, southern-tinged rock ‘n’ roll with sturdy doom foundations.  But perhaps their biggest drawcardwas the commanding presence of singer and bassist Miny Parsonz;a front-woman who could belt the tunes out with full-blooded urgency, or pull back into soulful restraint […]

Nile’s Egyptian themed death metal has long since established the South Carolina veterans as leaders of the death metal pack over their decade plus recording career.  The death metal juggernaut can do no wrong in the eyes of many of their devoted fans.  But regardless of the accolades embellished upon the band, Nile are arguably […]