Goat hates the concept of giving the “benefit of the doubt” when it comes to music reviews. Too often, reviewers claim an album needs several listens to be rated properly. Whatever happened to trusting instincts? In our Goat’s view, this search for redeeming qualities often leads to softening critiques. But with Grendel’s Sÿster’s Katabasis into the Abaton / Abstieg in die Traumkammer, he knew immediately—no doubt about it.
Read moreFleshgod Apocalypse – Opera Review
There will always be a special place in Cosmo’s heart for Fleshgod Apocalypse, since it was one of the first bands that he fell in love with in his formative years. But will their latest aria bridge the gap between fanbat and metal connoisseur?
Read moreEvilyn – Mondestrunken Review
How would a painter handle sound? Pretty damn well, it turns out. Mondestunken’s most defining feature is Alex Weber’s bass, a dynamic center-point which leads the songs on a drunken stroll, calling to mind the style of Aseitas or perhaps even the jazzy all out war of Sarmat’s debut album with its technical dissonance. But for all its flash, does it have its own style?
Read moreDark Tranquillity – Endtime Signals Review
No band has meant more to me than Dark Tranquillity. Yet somehow I’d have missed the release date of Endtime Signals if friends hadn’t reminded me. Part of that is me living a more complicated life now I’ve grown up. The other part though is that age has simultaneously fractured Dark Tranquillity’s line-up while also ushering in a calmer sound with less wild album to album evolution. They’re not releasing bad albums, but they’re not punishing heavens any more either.
Read moreThis Week In Metal, 2024 Week 35
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 Feind, Nebülith, Aseitas, Har, and Seth, you can do that too! I
Read moreSeth – La France des Maudits
To get me interested in a black metal album at all, it has to offer something more than just grating tremolo riffs topped by questionable production. And when it does, it has to be done very well. Luckily, Seth slay this bear’s high standards. Find out why.
Read moreNebülith – Feel Good Music for the End of the World Vol. 1 Review
Stoner as a genre often gets a bad rep. Sure, it’s not like the stereotypical act with a horrendously nasal vocalist, singing arhythmically over repetitive overlong songs does not exist, but similarly, many unique acts exists that are more fluid in tempo and that are willing to take other influences in. Feel good music or feel bad music?
Read moreHar – Cursed Creation Review
If the metal ain’t ferocious Cosmo doesn’t want it! But Har seems to have stirred and shaken him with their debut album Cursed Creation.
Read moreFeind – Ambulante Hirnamputation Review
Ever met an Icelandic black metal fan? You know the kind that insists that the origin of a band, despite the advancements in communication technology, fully informs their sound — transforming music into something akin to a champagne than an artistic discipline that can be studied, imitated, and paid homage to. No, of course you haven’t. That’s why you’re hear, ready to read a deathgrind review. Good taste comes to those who grind.
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