Recently, while I was compiling playlists requested by friends, I decided to look back at my old blogs for inspiration and to jog my (worryingly, fading) memory. While I was doing so, I was surprised to see that I had posted more than 200 blogs over a 10 year period. That it was so long and that I posted my first blog in 2010 is unfathomable to me. I'm not just saying that. It's true, it's just how my memory works.
Anyway, that isn't my point. I realised just how much I enjoyed writing, regardless of how many people read them or how much feedback I received. I genuinely enjoyed sharing my opinions and getting my thoughts out there.
This got me thinking that maybe it's time for me to revive this tired old blog. I've been through some tough times over the past 4 or 5 years (as have most of us) and I need an outlet for my passion for music and my creativity, such as it is.
2024 has been a fantastic year for music and it feels fitting to honour the bands, old and new, who are keeping Metal and music, in general, alive. To those bellends who claim that Metal peaked in the 80s, I pity you and your blinkered little lives. Music has never been more vibrant and creative and I'm glad to be an aging rocker in this brave new world.
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Friday, 8 November 2024
Saturday, 12 March 2022
Band: Verikalpa
Album: Tunturihauta
Label: Scarlet Records
Release date: January 21st 2022
Rating: 9/10
Verikalpa are the next in a line of great Folk Metal bands from Finland, following in the footsteps of such luminaries as Moonsorrow, Finntroll, Korpiklaani, Ensiferum and Turisas. Lofty company indeed, but with this, their third album, Verikalpa have emphatically marked their territory and cemented their place in the upper echelons of Finnish Folk Metal. As the lyrics on Tunturihauta are in the band’s native tongue, Finnish, therefore rendering them completely impenetrable to the rest of the world, it’s hard to really get a handle of the subject matter. However, working from the song-titles alone (I’m currently learning Finnish and Google Translate is your friend), they follow the familiar Folk Metal tropes, namely Battles, Alcohol, Ancient times, etc. That said, we all know that language is pretty much irrelevant in the world of music as the bands we love come from far and wide and it’s the music which does the talking. Lucky for us, then, that just about every song on Tunturihauta is immediate, instantly catchy and these melodies will be stuck in your head for days. There were signs of potential on their previous albums, but this time around, Verikalpa have struck gold. Musically, they slot neatly into the type of upbeat and melodic Folk Metal as purveyed by the likes of the aforementioned Finntroll and Korpiklaani, albeit with a liberal sprinkling of Moonsorrow’s keyboard magic. This is perfect musical accompaniment for drinking beer, and I imagine that Verikalpa would be an absolute blast in the live setting. If I had to give a criticism, and it’s a minor one, it’s that there isn’t much variation here. Every song follows a similar, familiar pattern and musically, Verikalpa are very much a one trick pony, steeped in the sound of their contemporaries. But when the trick is this good, you might as well perfect it…and they have. This is hook-laden, straight down the line Folk Metal and I honestly wouldn’t want it any other way. Those looking for a ground-breaking band who are pushing the boundaries of the genre will find slim pickings here, but fans of straight down the line, quality Folk Metal will love it! I certainly do. 2022 is already proving to be a great year for Folk Metal and Tunturihauta is yet another album that is likely to be finding a place on end of year lists come December. Lovely stuff!
Album: Tunturihauta
Label: Scarlet Records
Release date: January 21st 2022
Rating: 9/10
Verikalpa are the next in a line of great Folk Metal bands from Finland, following in the footsteps of such luminaries as Moonsorrow, Finntroll, Korpiklaani, Ensiferum and Turisas. Lofty company indeed, but with this, their third album, Verikalpa have emphatically marked their territory and cemented their place in the upper echelons of Finnish Folk Metal. As the lyrics on Tunturihauta are in the band’s native tongue, Finnish, therefore rendering them completely impenetrable to the rest of the world, it’s hard to really get a handle of the subject matter. However, working from the song-titles alone (I’m currently learning Finnish and Google Translate is your friend), they follow the familiar Folk Metal tropes, namely Battles, Alcohol, Ancient times, etc. That said, we all know that language is pretty much irrelevant in the world of music as the bands we love come from far and wide and it’s the music which does the talking. Lucky for us, then, that just about every song on Tunturihauta is immediate, instantly catchy and these melodies will be stuck in your head for days. There were signs of potential on their previous albums, but this time around, Verikalpa have struck gold. Musically, they slot neatly into the type of upbeat and melodic Folk Metal as purveyed by the likes of the aforementioned Finntroll and Korpiklaani, albeit with a liberal sprinkling of Moonsorrow’s keyboard magic. This is perfect musical accompaniment for drinking beer, and I imagine that Verikalpa would be an absolute blast in the live setting. If I had to give a criticism, and it’s a minor one, it’s that there isn’t much variation here. Every song follows a similar, familiar pattern and musically, Verikalpa are very much a one trick pony, steeped in the sound of their contemporaries. But when the trick is this good, you might as well perfect it…and they have. This is hook-laden, straight down the line Folk Metal and I honestly wouldn’t want it any other way. Those looking for a ground-breaking band who are pushing the boundaries of the genre will find slim pickings here, but fans of straight down the line, quality Folk Metal will love it! I certainly do. 2022 is already proving to be a great year for Folk Metal and Tunturihauta is yet another album that is likely to be finding a place on end of year lists come December. Lovely stuff!
Firn - Frostwärts review
Band: Firn
Album: Frostwärts
Label: Einheit Produktionen / Schattenpfade
Release date: 25th February 2022
Rating: 10/10
Let’s not beat around the bush here, initially Frostwärts sounds like an album which worships at the dark altar of Finnish Pagan Metal kings, Moonsorrow and there is no doubt that said band have been a clear influence on Firn, the one-man project from Horda (Ordoerir / Waldtraene). It soon becomes apparent however that there is so much more to them than such a one-dimensional comparison would suggest. Horda brings a wide variety of influences to the table, such as, but not limited to, the overt folk leanings of Svartsot and Bifröst, Falkenbach’s knack for atmosphere and even the Power Metal stylings of Crom. In my opinion though, Firn are so much more than the sum of these parts and bring something decidedly unique to the Folk / Pagan Metal table.
One of the most exciting things about Firn and the thing that should make them real heavy hitters in the scene in years to come is Horda’s ability to craft a song which keeps the attention of the listener for its entire duration. At no point was I even tempted to skip to the next song, despite the fact that none of the tracks on the album comes in under the 8-minute mark. This is no more apparent than on the stunning Urkraft, which ebbs and flows with an almost cinematic beauty. Harsh vocals and folk instrumentation gives way to chants, whispered vocals and a catchy as Covid folk melody. For me it’s on this song as well as on the first single from the album, Vater Berg, where the band really comes to life and shows the massive potential they have. All of this is done without contrivance. In fact, the opposite is true as every song on the album is a beautifully crafted piece of work and there isn’t a weak moment to be found. That this is the band’s debut album is nothing short of breathtaking and I look forward to seeing them grow and develop their enormous potential.
I am sometimes guilty of hyperbole and tend to award high scores to the albums that I review, so with that in mind, Frostwärts is a masterful and majestic, solid 10/10 masterpiece.
Album: Frostwärts
Label: Einheit Produktionen / Schattenpfade
Release date: 25th February 2022
Rating: 10/10
One of the most exciting things about Firn and the thing that should make them real heavy hitters in the scene in years to come is Horda’s ability to craft a song which keeps the attention of the listener for its entire duration. At no point was I even tempted to skip to the next song, despite the fact that none of the tracks on the album comes in under the 8-minute mark. This is no more apparent than on the stunning Urkraft, which ebbs and flows with an almost cinematic beauty. Harsh vocals and folk instrumentation gives way to chants, whispered vocals and a catchy as Covid folk melody. For me it’s on this song as well as on the first single from the album, Vater Berg, where the band really comes to life and shows the massive potential they have. All of this is done without contrivance. In fact, the opposite is true as every song on the album is a beautifully crafted piece of work and there isn’t a weak moment to be found. That this is the band’s debut album is nothing short of breathtaking and I look forward to seeing them grow and develop their enormous potential.
I am sometimes guilty of hyperbole and tend to award high scores to the albums that I review, so with that in mind, Frostwärts is a masterful and majestic, solid 10/10 masterpiece.
Theigns & Thralls - Theigns & Thralls review
Band: Theigns & Thralls
Album: Theigns & Thralls
Label: Rockshot Records
Release date: 8th April 2022
Rating: 7/10
I’ll start with a caveat; I’m a huge Skyclad fan. In fact, they are my favourite Folk Metal band and one of my all-time favourite bands, full stop. With that in mind, given that Theigns & Thralls is a new project from Skyclad frontman / songwriter, Kevin Ridley and features Dave Briggs (Waylander) and John Ryan (ex-Cruachan), I went in with high expectations. I am very aware that in doing this there arises a risk of bias, both positive and negative, so I listened with as open a mind as I could.
With such an impressive pedigree you’d be forgiven for expecting Theigns & Thralls self-titled debut album to be a rip-roaring Folk Metal monster. In reality, however, it is a much more nuanced and varied offering, with one foot in the Metal camp and the other firmly planted in traditional British Folk music. It is as much Damh the Bard or Levellers as it is Skyclad and If I’m honest, the result of this juxtaposition is a bit of a mixed bag, quality wise. When the songs are good, they are very good. On this side of the coin, you have the beautiful melancholy of “Strive” and “Lord of the Hills”, the brilliant Levellers-esque stomp of “The New Folk Devils” and the wonderfully catchy single “Drinking” which features a variety of guest musicians, most notably Jonne Järvelä from Korpiklaani. On the flip side, however, you have the forgettable instrumental “Flora Robb”, the trite “Today We Get to Play” and alternative version of the cringeworthy “Queen of the Moors” which originally appeared on Skyclad’s “Forward into the Past” album. An honourable mention should also go to the Electronic / Industrial remix of “Life Will Out” which rounds of the album and is an unexpected personal highlight. As Kevin’s voice and song writing style are both so distinctive, many of these songs would fit very neatly into the Skyclad back catalogue and as you might expect, the lyrical themes here are on brand Ridley fare; hardship, politics and of course, drinking.
As I touched on previously, Theigns and Thralls is a hit and miss affair that has moments of brilliance, but it is marred by too much lackluster filler material. I really wanted to love it, but I’m sorry to say that I don’t. That said, it’s a solid album with enough quality songs for fans of Skyclad or Kevin Ridley’s solo project to get their teeth into, but it is far from being an essential purchase.
Album: Theigns & Thralls
Label: Rockshot Records
Release date: 8th April 2022
Rating: 7/10
Saturday, 7 March 2020
New Release Highlights: 6th March 2020
As 2020 continues its unrelenting march, things are starting to pick up as far as new music goes. These are my picks for the best new album releases of the week.
Body Count - Carnivore
At the ripe old age of 62, Mr Tracy (Ice T) Marrow is still releasing new music which packs a punch. Angrier than ever and with a lot to say regarding social politics and racial in-fighting, Body Count are more relevant and important than ever in 2020! They are also heavier, which is nice.
My Dying Bride - The Ghost of Orion
Hailing from the home of misery (apparently), Halifax, My Dying Bride were, along with fellow Yorkshiremen, Paradise Lost and Liverpool's, Anathema, early pioneers of the Death / Doom Metal sound. The band's new album, their 14th full length, finds them at full strength. I can honestly say the MDB have never sounded better...or more despairing. Perfect!
Crematory - Unbroken
You could be (quite rightly) forgiven for assuming that a band which decides on the name Crematory are going to opt for a Brutal Death Metal approach, however, they are actually purveyors of a stomping blend of Industrial and Symphonic Metal. If you've not heard then before, Unbroken isn't the best place to start, but hey, this is a new release blog. This, the titular track, isn't the best song on the album, but it is a good representation of the band's sound. Okay, so the lyrics are a little cringe-worthy, but as the band has English as a second language, I'll give them some slack. Recommended for fans of Pain and Deathstars.
At the ripe old age of 62, Mr Tracy (Ice T) Marrow is still releasing new music which packs a punch. Angrier than ever and with a lot to say regarding social politics and racial in-fighting, Body Count are more relevant and important than ever in 2020! They are also heavier, which is nice.
My Dying Bride - The Ghost of Orion
Hailing from the home of misery (apparently), Halifax, My Dying Bride were, along with fellow Yorkshiremen, Paradise Lost and Liverpool's, Anathema, early pioneers of the Death / Doom Metal sound. The band's new album, their 14th full length, finds them at full strength. I can honestly say the MDB have never sounded better...or more despairing. Perfect!
Crematory - Unbroken
You could be (quite rightly) forgiven for assuming that a band which decides on the name Crematory are going to opt for a Brutal Death Metal approach, however, they are actually purveyors of a stomping blend of Industrial and Symphonic Metal. If you've not heard then before, Unbroken isn't the best place to start, but hey, this is a new release blog. This, the titular track, isn't the best song on the album, but it is a good representation of the band's sound. Okay, so the lyrics are a little cringe-worthy, but as the band has English as a second language, I'll give them some slack. Recommended for fans of Pain and Deathstars.
Saturday, 15 February 2020
New Release Highlights: Feb 14th 2020
Ok guys and guyettes, despite there being a lot of Metal / Rock releases this week, there are just a small number which I reckon are worth spending your time (and energy) on, and one of these is a single.
Ihsahn - Telemark EP
Now I'm sure that the vast majority of you are already aware of who Ihsahn is, but for those that aren't, he is most known and respected, for being the frontman / song writer for Norwegian Black Metal legends, Emperor. Now, while I am an admirer of the man's work in the aforementioned band, I will admit that I haven't found the vast majority of his solo output to be to my tastes, so I was naturally cautious when it came to his latest release. I was therefore pleasantly surprised to hear his most consistent and heaviest work since the Emperor days, albeit it with the now prerequisite saxophones / horns.
Kvelertak - Splid
A decade ago (really??), Norwegian rockers, Kvelertak blew my mind with their exciting and energetic self-titled debut album, which seamlessly blended Metal, Punk, Rock 'n' Roll and more to create an eclectic and completely unique style all of their own. Sadly, the two albums which followed failed to capture the same magic and I lost interest. That has all changed on Splid, the band's fourth album. Here the lads have rediscovered what made them great in the first place. It might not be reinventing the wheel as far as Kvelertak's sound is concerned, but Splid is exactly what I want from the band and it still stands out from the crowd. Great success!
Ihsahn - Telemark EP
Now I'm sure that the vast majority of you are already aware of who Ihsahn is, but for those that aren't, he is most known and respected, for being the frontman / song writer for Norwegian Black Metal legends, Emperor. Now, while I am an admirer of the man's work in the aforementioned band, I will admit that I haven't found the vast majority of his solo output to be to my tastes, so I was naturally cautious when it came to his latest release. I was therefore pleasantly surprised to hear his most consistent and heaviest work since the Emperor days, albeit it with the now prerequisite saxophones / horns.
Hatebreed - When the Blade Drops (Single)
I can only assume that when Hatebreed released their previous album, 2016's The Concrete Confessional, frontman Jamey Jasta was in a bad place, personally, as the overall vibe was dark and negative, which is far removed from the usual Hatebreed attitude of self-belief and positivity. When the Blade Drops obviously isn't an upbeat, radio-friendly pop ditty, but it is a punchy, groove-laden Hardcore track and that is exactly what you want from Hatebreed, right?
Kvelertak - Splid
A decade ago (really??), Norwegian rockers, Kvelertak blew my mind with their exciting and energetic self-titled debut album, which seamlessly blended Metal, Punk, Rock 'n' Roll and more to create an eclectic and completely unique style all of their own. Sadly, the two albums which followed failed to capture the same magic and I lost interest. That has all changed on Splid, the band's fourth album. Here the lads have rediscovered what made them great in the first place. It might not be reinventing the wheel as far as Kvelertak's sound is concerned, but Splid is exactly what I want from the band and it still stands out from the crowd. Great success!
Sunday, 9 February 2020
New Release Highlights: 7th Feb 2020
This is the first of what I am hoping will be weekly blog posts, which will do as it says in the title and focus on the best (in my opinion) and most relevant of the week's new Metal / Rock releases. I won't necessarily have had chance to listen to everything in advance, so I apologise for any lack of quality control. This week's crop is, interestingly, a collection of legendary bands who have all been doing to rounds for many, many years. I have listened them all too. Enjoy!
Sepultura - Quadra
The Brazilian legends release their 15th album this week. Most of you will have already seen my review of this album and will be aware of my thoughts on it, so I won't say any more here, other than this is the album of the week for me.
Napalm Death - Logic Ravaged by Brute Force
Enduring Brummies, Napalm Death are back after a few years of relative silence, with new single, Logic Ravaged by Brute Force. I know that enduring is usually used a metaphor for a band which has seen better days, but I'm using it as a positive. These boys have been around the block for the best part of 4 decades and can still deliver the goods.
Green Day - Father of all Motherfuckers
Over the past 15 - 20 years Green Day have naturally and organically adopted a more mainstream sound. I have never been a big fan, but Green Day have earned the right to be mentioned on this post, by very virtue of their longevity and continuing popularity. Also because I think this album is rather bloody good! Bonus points too for the title.
Sepultura - Quadra
The Brazilian legends release their 15th album this week. Most of you will have already seen my review of this album and will be aware of my thoughts on it, so I won't say any more here, other than this is the album of the week for me.
Napalm Death - Logic Ravaged by Brute Force
Enduring Brummies, Napalm Death are back after a few years of relative silence, with new single, Logic Ravaged by Brute Force. I know that enduring is usually used a metaphor for a band which has seen better days, but I'm using it as a positive. These boys have been around the block for the best part of 4 decades and can still deliver the goods.
Green Day - Father of all Motherfuckers
Over the past 15 - 20 years Green Day have naturally and organically adopted a more mainstream sound. I have never been a big fan, but Green Day have earned the right to be mentioned on this post, by very virtue of their longevity and continuing popularity. Also because I think this album is rather bloody good! Bonus points too for the title.
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