Emerging from the darkness, brimming with bombast and drenched in doom, “Psalms for the Dead”, the (perhaps) final album from Swedish doom metal legends Candlemass is/might be a stirring finish to a storied career. Candlemass have been recording for 20 plus years, and set the tone not just for themselves, but for a whole generation of doomsayers with their 1986 album “Epicus Doomicus Metallicus”. Over the past two or so decades, Candlemass have burned through lead singers at an alarming rate, but their commitment to a mournful, oppressive, and especially EPIC form of heavy metal has made them a powerful force in heavy music.

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It is not a rarity to be impressed by something with the constant thrust of new releases year in year out but it is quite unique to be left truly stunned by one of pure brilliance and imagination so that nothing but praise can be offered. Made in China from South Wales band Kyshera (pronounced K-eye-she-ra), is one of those rare treats. It offers a kaleidoscope of ideas, invention and intrusive imagination within a maelstrom of captivating and challenging ingenuity, quite simply it is exceptional and the best album so far this year.

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Porcupine Tree and Opeth are two of the leading bands within the modern progressive rock/metal movement, so when Steven Wilson and Mikael Akerfeldt announced they’re working on a new project expectations soared to an incredible level. In several interviews Wilson described the Storm Corrosion album as an integral part of a trilogy, made out of Opeth’s Heritage album and Grace For Drowning, his latest solo effort. Let’s see what Storm Corrosion has to offer.

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Bible of the Devil's "For the Love of Thugs and Fools" is a refreshing old-school metal album. Unlike a lot of albums that are totally serious, these guys want you to turn the album up. Check the album out after this interview with Mark Hoffman and Nathan Perry of the band.

 

First of all, I just wanted to say I really enjoyed your latest album "For the Love of Thugs and Fools", it was refreshing to hear some old-fashioned metal in the vein of Priest and Maiden! Can you give a bit of an introduction to the band for those who don't know of you? I was surprised to find out long you guys have been around for. 

Mark Hoffman - We have been around since 1999 playing fist-pumping riff-rock anthems for the rad folk. Hearts have been broken, beers have been drunk, and countless eardrums battered along the way. I guess it started because we wanted to get even more laid. 

Nathan Perry - Quite simply I see what we do as arena rock not being performed in an arena. I realize that most bands hang it up after a few years once responsibilities creep in but what can we say, we're not most bands. We are gluttons for punishment clearly! But as long as people keep coming to see us act like fools night after night, I can't complain. Seriously though, this is what we love to do, so we're doing it, simple as that. We have been around for a long time because it feels good and we believe in it. Hopefully more people will figure it out. 

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As someone with only a passing familiarity with Xasthur I am probably the wrong person to be reviewing this album. "Nightmares At Dawn" is a compilation album with unreleased tracks, a Sabbath cover and a couple of redone Xasthur songs. As such this album is intended for fans of which I am not.

I can say however that while Xasthur seems to be a fairly good artist, this album of slow and depressive ambient Black Metal made me want to slit my wrists after a while as it is just way too fucking long.

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Formed in 1991, American death metal nutters Dying Fetus have carved out a bit of a reputation for themselves as purveyors of extremely intense metal, showcasing an amazing grasp of musicianship. Although the line-ups may have changed over the years - guitarist/vocalist John Gallagher being the only constant throughout – the band have never been anything less than totally on-top-of-their-game and “Reign Supreme”, their seventh album, is testament to this.

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Within the rock and metal community Mike Patton is mostly known for his pioneering vocal antics with Faith No More, The Dillinger Escape Plan and Mr Bungle. The last couple of years he’s active in countless side projects of a more experimental nature, including Mondo Cane, Peeping Tom and many other collaborations with drum n’ bass and jazz artists. His latest musical venture is a tribute to Italian composer Luciano Berio, together with the Dutch Chamber Choir and the Ictus Ensemble from Brussels, Belgium.

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Elongated drones with distant, scratchy voice samples that mutate around the tone are generally a brave introduction to a collection of recorded music. If however, the listener favours the innovative and the experimental, then “Octagon”, the first track on “Cold Ground” is stirring news. Echoes of Yul, essentially Michal Sliwa and Mateusz Czech, originate from Opole in Poland, and will challenge the listener with this latest release which can broadly be described as disquieting. “Foundations” is a writhing collusion of extended guitar riffs, drones and vocal samples that stalk the listener’s subconscious, upsetting them further with passages of dissonance and anguish.

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When it comes down to delivering full-on ferocious black metal few do it better than Marduk. These Swedes are the one of mainstays within their specific fields and many of their albums are considered essential. “Serpent Sermon” is the name of Marduk’s latest sonic assault, so let’s see whether Steinmeyer and Co are still able to spring a surprise or two...

To my great surprise “Serpent Sermon” opens with relatively slow song in the form of the title track. Marduk’s trademark craftsmanship is immediately recognisable.

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Female fronted metal bands, I personally really loath the term. I find it a hollow shell, because it doesn’t give any information about the style of a certain band. Both Arch Enemy and Epica have female vocalists, but both outfits are on opposite side of the metal spectrum. Montreal, Canada-based The Agonist is another metal outfit featuring a female singer, but this time around it’s a lady whose good looks are only exceeded by her vocal capabilities.

“Prisoners” is the third album by these Canadians and it’s arguably their most focused and compact effort to date.

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Bong, contrary to what we might be led to believe, do not play stoner rock heavily influenced by that magical plant that goes by the name of cannabis. Instead, this four-piece from the UK plays an intriguing style of music that can be described as part spiritual, part ritualistic and part drone. Their newest effort “Mana-Yood-Sushai” is a record that begs for a sit-down, lights off listening as the overall effect that its two tracks spanning 47 minutes transmit is that of a one transcendental ritual, a trancelike journey seeking spiritual enlightenment in some Tibetan monastery.

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