Author Archives: Azrael

Born & raised in Florida. Lived in Wisconsin for a bit, then moved to Tennessee for college. After graduating, I moved to California for law school. Currently doing video game design for Point of View, Inc., but should have a legal-related career shortly. I’ve listened to metal for over 15 years, and I’ve been a radio DJ at various locations for a total of nearly 5 years.

CHTHONIC – Seediq Bale

September 18, 2007 – 8:52 pm

A review for this album has been late in the making, but it should speak well for CHTHONIC that their album titled Seediq Bale still demands a review nearly a year after its initial release. CHTHONIC bring their own unique style of extreme metal to the table with a heavy Taiwanese flare. Some [...]

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SAMAEL – Solar Soul

September 18, 2007 – 8:45 pm

SAMAEL is one band in recent times that is dedicated to the continuing evolution and progression of its sound. With a career spanning from the origins of black metal to a kind of avant-garde electro-rock, SAMAEL refuse to be pinned down to any particular genre for very long. The newest release, Solar Soul, [...]

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DIVINE HERESY – Bleed the Fifth

August 31, 2007 – 3:46 pm

For those of you who wanted FEAR FACTORY to do a metalcore album, then this one is for you. Dino Cazares is moving forward with DIVINE HERESY to further make his stamp on the metal scene. Ever present is the machine-like interplay between drums and guitar like you would find on [...]

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NILE – Ithyphallic

August 30, 2007 – 10:53 pm

After coming off the success of the previous 2005 album Annihilation of the Wicked, NILE used it to set the standard of death metal even higher with that incredibly savage release. Their songwriting was tighter than ever, and the addition of Greek drummer George Kollias (SICKENING HORROR) cemented the surgical precision of NILE’s performance. [...]

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ANGELCORPSE – Of Lucifer and Lightning

July 1, 2007 – 5:30 pm

Even though it’s been over seven years plus a band break up since ANGELCORPSE’s previous release The Inexorable, the band picks up right where they left off and sound stronger than ever. Original ANGELCORPSE beatster John Longstreth (ex-ORIGIN, SKINLESS) has rejoined with founding members Pete Helmkamp and Gene Palubicki to form the original three-piece [...]

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SLEEPYTIME GORILLA MUSEUM – In Glorious Times

July 1, 2007 – 5:21 pm

This time around, SLEEPYTIME GORILLA MUSEUM incorporate even more lullaby songwriting contrasted by harsh, distorted rock. For those unfamiliar with SGM, they are at the forefront of avant-rock progressiveness. In concert, their appearance is similar to black metal band members who became Puritans wearing overalls. Their creativity knows no bounds, and they [...]

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DEVIN TOWNSEND – Ziltoid the Omniscient

June 12, 2007 – 10:53 pm

If anyone had questions about Devin Townsend’s sanity, especially after earlier releases such as INFINITY, this album is definitely one that could only be created by a crazed mind. Devin completely soloed this project as the sole writer, performer, producer, and recorder for the project. This particular release runs the gamut of just [...]

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VOMITORY – Terrorize Brutalize Sodomize

May 4, 2007 – 10:19 pm

Sweden’s VOMITORY have been brewing their own brutal concoction of death metal and thrash since they first formed in 1989 as a three-piece band. However, these guys aren’t the typical death metal that Sweden is currently most well-known for such as IN FLAMES and DARK TRANQUILITY. Instead, VOMITORY produces one of the most [...]

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VITAL REMAINS – Icons of Evil

April 29, 2007 – 10:09 pm

Since VITAL REMAINS apparently can’t resist any opportunity to create a death metal album filled with as much anti-Christian fervor as possible (simply look at the cover art for this release), it should come as no surprise that Glen Benton of DEICIDE fame returned to reprise his role performing vocal duties on the new VITAL [...]

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DEW-SCENTED – Incinerate

April 29, 2007 – 10:00 pm

Germany’s DEW-SCENTED has been working to revitalize the international thrash scene for quite some time now. Their previous two releases, Impact and Issue VI, have been very successful in that effort, and their new album Incinerate only catapults them further along that path. They have managed to cultivate the ferocity and technical prowess [...]

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SIRENIA – Nine Destinies and A Downfall

March 30, 2007 – 2:49 pm

“Symphonic goth metal” bands have always been hit or miss, and the plethora of new “beauty & the beast” style vocal bands are not helping to salvage the integrity of this subgenre. However, mastermind Morten Veland has managed to shove a bit more talent into a poppy sounding symphonic band than most would give [...]

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MENDEED – The Dead Live By Love

March 29, 2007 – 11:07 am

Despite what may sound like the title to a poor emo band you might find at a trendy store in the mall, The Dead Live By Love is actually the newest album by UK thrashers MENDEED. This new release is an excellent combination of talented modern thrash metal and 80’s metal inspiration and influence. [...]

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