I am not normally a thrash fan. Usually, I think of it as nothing more than a wild government conspiracy theory, but when a thrash album manages to get me to take off the tinfoil hat, it’s real special. Have Sovereign actually managed to alter Cosmo’s thrash perception?
Read moreCaligula’s Horse – Charcoal Grace Review
For Caligula’s Horse, Charcoal Grace is a return to the kind of songwriting that attempts to develop a lot over their runtime of extended-length songs. This band is very adept at their vocal hooks, so it’s no surprise that they lean into the vocals for this newest album. This is NOT a horse of a different color. But it is prog!
Read more$LAMUARY 2024 – Week 4
January is a time for resolution, reflection, new beginnings, and SLAM. Join us for the last (2024) Slamuary at The Goat Review to DROP HAMMERS! IT’S THE FINAL SLAM DOWN!
Read moreMassa Nera & Quiet Fear – Quatro Vientos // Cinco Soles Review
Are you impatient when it comes to finding new albums at the start of a new year? To be fair, we haven’t gotten particularly far into 2024—but out of everything that has passed through my ears so far, post-hardcore release Quatro Vientos // Cinco Soles has come the closest to scratching that new-music-itch. Quatro comezóns // Cinco rascadors.
Read moreUnsouling – Vampiric Spiritual Drain Review
Unsouling describe their personal style as broadly death metal, but they are eager to highlight influences from darkwave and gothic music. Frankly, they might be right about their influences, but in cases like these, the promo blurb also sets expectations. So just how well do Unsouling practice what they preach?
Read moreThis Week In Metal, 2024 Week 4
Another week, another round of metal reviews in the bag. Words are tough, so we assembled the highlights. And if you want to read the latest reviews for the new offerings from Cognizance, Narzissus, The Oldest House, Resin Tomb, and Junta, you can do that too!
Read moreThe Oldest House – A Worm Through Time
The promo sheet states that the sole creator of this EP, A.M. (what’s in a name?), conceived the music as one long piece that is supposed to be like a “huge wall of static that is creeping slowly towards you.” Fortunately for Metalligator, he did not do a good job of that. Wait, or did he? Guess you have to read to find out.
Read moreJunta – Junta Review
Junta prefer to use their music as a weapon of mass education, thus aligning with an aim beyond conventional entertainment. Their journey is not just about the music they release; it’s a deliberate exploration into the intersection of raw energy, political consciousness, and a commitment to a deeper purpose. No drone shit—BARE KNUCKLE PUNK!!
Read moreNarzissus – Akt III: Erlösung Review
Metalligator had no clue what to expect when looking at the odd album cover for Akt III: Erlösung. Some kind of raw black metal produced into harsh noise? Austrian one-man act Narzissus turns out to be a neighbor of that genre: melodic black metal, but not any kind of meloblack. Anti-Nazi meloblack. Yeah, that’s right. Fuck Nazis, no disclaimer here!
Read more