Reviewed: August 2021 Released: 2021, AFM Records Rating: 4/5 Reviewer: Jack Merry Swedish power metal outfit Bloodbound have returned in 2021 with their ninth studio album entitled Creatures of the Dark Realm, the follow-up to 2019’s well-received Rise of the Dragon Empire. Continuing the trend of anthemic, fist-pumping power metal akin…
Swedish
Cobra Cult – Second Gear
Reviewed: March 2021 Released: 2021, GMR Music Rating: 3.5/5 Reviewer: Andrea Di Stasio Straightforward and soaked in contagious energy: “Second Gear” is this and much more. With their second album, Cobra Cult bring oxygen to the music scene, delivering good old hard rock that never disappoints and engages the listener…
Tribulation – Where the Gloom Becomes Sound
Reviewed: February 2021 Released: 2021, Century Media Rating: 4.5/5 Reviewer: Rebecca Bush Tribulation’s fifth full length studio album ‘Where the Gloom Becomes Sound’ casts its dark spell, weaving tales full of foreboding and mystery. Stories of the dark and macabre, full of ghosts and phantoms drawing you in and taking you…
Amaranthe – Manifest
Reviewed: November 2020 Released: 2020, Nuclear Blast Records Rating: 4.5/5 Reviewer: Jack Merry Swedish cinematic electro-metallers Amaranthe return with their sixth full-length studio album Manifest, after spending the best part of the last decade establishing themselves as a formidable, positive, and feverishly melodic force for sweeping heavy metal goodness. Now more than ever,…
Pain of Salvation – Panther
Reviewed: September 2020 Released: 2020, InsideOut Music Rating: 4.5/5 Reviewer: Kieron Hayes Pain of Salvation are rightly considered consummate heavyweights in the world of progressive music, and Panther aptly demonstrates just why. As always with any album that is inspired by more than a simple desire to keep making enjoyable…
Vampire – Rex
Reviewed: July 2020 Released: 2020, Century Media Records Rating: 4/5 Reviewer: Kira Levine With Darkthrone’s Fenriz being one of the fans who helped their eponymous demo sell out in a matter of days back in 2012, Vampire have been an underground favourite in the Swedish metal scene ever since. This…
Vampire – Interview with Black String (guitars, songwriting)
Interview with Black String – guitarist and songwriter Interview by Kira Levine Vampire links: Facebook Bandcamp Hey and thank you for your time. Please state your name and position in the band. – Black String, guitarist Vampire formed almost a decade ago. How did you guys all meet? –…
Mad Hatter – Pieces of Reality
Reviewed: June, 2020 Released: 2020, Art Gates Records Rating: 2/5 Reviewer: Kat Knite Swedish power metal act Mad Hatter released their sophomore album ‘Pieces of Reality’ through Art Gate Records on May 22, 2020. Their sound is influenced by classic heavy metal acts, which has won over fans and led the band to…
Voodus – Open the Otherness
Reviewed: June, 2020 Released: 2020, Shadow Records / Regain Records Rating: 3.5/5 Reviewer: Jack Merry Swedish black metal outfit VOODUS return with a brand new mini-album entitled “Open the Otherness.” Consisting of two songs clocking in at 25 minutes in length, the four-piece have honed their craft and put out an…
Horisont – Sudden Death
Reviewed: June 2020 Released: 2020, Century Media Records Rating: 4/5 Reviewer: Kieron Hayes Horisont’s last album, About Time, was an absolute belter, and ended up among the best albums of 2017 with its genuine and effective retro rock feel. So understandably, expectations are high for 2020’s follow-up, Sudden Death. It…
Mustasch – Killing it for Life
Reviewed: May 2020 Released: 2020, Tritonus Records Rating: 4/5 Reviewer: Kieron Hayes The more album reviews I write, the more I see just how big Sweden’s hard rock movement is these days. It seems like every hard rock album that makes it to me is another Swedish band. This movement…
Dynazty – The Dark Delight
Reviewed: May 2020 Released: 3rd April 2020, AFM Records Rating: 2/5 Reviewer: Andrew Shirley First impressions often last and Dynazty definitely leaves a lasting impression that the band are every bit a European power metal band. Crystal clear enunciated vocals, bright guitar tones and thumping drum rolls you’d hear from…
Sabaton + Apocalyptica + Amaranthe @ SSE Wembley Arena, London
Sabaton + Apocalyptica + Amaranthe @ SSE Wembley Arena, London 8th February 2020 Review by Jack Merry Photography by Graham Hilling
Märvel – Märvelous
Reviewed: February 2020 Released: 24-01-2020, The Sign Records Rating: 3/5 Reviewer: Ernie B Märvel, a three piece from Sweden, have taken it upon themselves to re-record their first E.P., due to suspicious circumstances concerning the master tapes of the original. Taking it for what it is, re-recordings of tracks from…
Berserker World Tour 2019: Amon Amarth + Arch Enemy + Hypocrisy @ O2 Academy Brixton, London
Amon Amarth + Arch Enemy + Hypocrisy @ O2 Academy Brixton 30th of November 2019 Review by Thomas James Henry Saunders Edited by Johnny Wolf Photography by David McKnight