Nuclear Blast have welcomed back the prodigal sons Primal Fear after a 15-year break in partnership, and the first product of the renewed team speaks for itself. We have grabbed to opportunity for a short talk with band founder and heart – Ralf Scheepers. Ralf is a great, down-to-earth guy, even if he already owns..
Primal Fear – Metal Commando (Nuclear Blast)
Primal Fear have been a trademark for high quality German heavy metal, ever since their eponymous debut came out in 1997. Combining the strengths of scene veterans Ralf Scheepers (ex-Gamma Ray and Tyran’ Pace) and the bass and guitar duo from Sinner – Tom Naumann and Matt Sinner, was already an attention grabber. 23 years..
Tyrant – Hereafter (Shadow Kingdom Records)
Here is another example of an old school cult band resurrected and coming back with a new studio album 24 years after their latest one. There are at least a dozen bands with the name Tyrant, so we have to specify what we are talking about is the Californian Tyrant which have been practicing the..
Naglfar – Cerecloth (Century Media Records)
There are bands one can always rely on when expectations need to be met. Melodic black metal Swedes Naglfar are one such band. Bassist-turned-vocalist Kristoffer W. Olivius and guitar player Andreas Nilsson form the core of the band since 1993, with second guitarist Marcus E. Norman part of the line-up for the last 20 years...
Paradise Lost – Obsidian (Nuclear Blast)
Being one of the originators of the gothic metal genre as well as one of the big three of British doom (along with Anathema and My Dying Bride) has always meant that a new album by Paradise Lost is a big event in metal. The band, as we painfully remember, has gone through some strange..
Havok – V (Century Media Records)
Sixteen years of existence and five full-lenghts are an evidence of ambition, which is backed both by labels and fans. Denver’s Havok are one of the many new wave of thrash bands that emerged in the new millennium, but at the same time – one of the very few requiring special attention. It should be..
Cirith Ungol – Forever Black (Metal Blade Records)
The truest of the true and one of the most cult and appreciated bands from the 80s is back with its first new studio album in 29 years. Yes, it is Californians Cirith Ungol we are talking about. Forever Black is out since April 24th through Metal Blade (who else?) and it’s like the last..
Vader – Solitude In Madness (Nuclear Blast Records)
Death metal institution Vader are entering their 37th year of existence with a lot of confidence and hunger. Well – the first can be easily explained: after all, they have been on the top of their game with each of their 11 studio albums of original songs. So where does the hunger come from, so..
Sölicitör – Spectral Devastation (Gates Of Hell Records)
Thank you Sölicitör. This is exactly what I needed as an escape from reality. Spectral Devastation happens to be the debut full-length player of this Seattle old school speed metallers and it delivers. Oh, yes, it does. Sölicitör attracted the attention with their 4-song debut EP from last year, which was a display of sheer..
Crematory – Unbroken (Napalm Records)
With 15 studio albums released in 29 years, one cannot say Crematory are resting on their laurels – the guys (and girl!) just keep on releasing new music. Coming out less than two years after Oblivion, the new album Unbroken includes 15 songs into a duration of 66 minutes. OK, I can understand the confidence..