Dedicated to ’80s heavy metal and the closely related sounds of speed metal and American power metal.
Old School Metal
Rating 58 / 100 Despite a few exceptional songs, Judas Priest’s latest offering does little to pull the band out of their decades-long slump into mediocrity
Rating: 92 / 100 White Wizzard makes a stunning return to form on Infernal Overdrive with several exceptional and inspired melodic metal creations
Rating: 79 / 100 “Apocalyptic riffing, vicious drumming, and savage vocals delivered with a signature snarl give Ram’s latest full-length effort an attractive sound, though Rod is laden with awkward compositional choices that ensure the album can’t compete with the Swedish band’s past efforts in heavy metal tyranny.”
Rating: 83 / 100 “On the surface, Across the Line has everything needed to be a heavy metal masterpiece for the modern age. Unfortunately, it suffers from too much of a good thing, and the unvarying pace and delivery of each song leads to flavor fatigue before the recording reaches its conclusion.”
Rating: 69 / 100 “The gritty, authentic, and immensely exciting songs that open the album are valuable contributions to an NWOTHM scene that is frequently too glossy and polished for its own good. Yet Visions in the Night quickly slumps into bargain bin material for the remainder of its running time with uninspired riffs, repetitive song structures, and grating vocal performances.”
Rating: 67 / 100 “Twisting the Blade is at its best when it produces fist-pumping, headbanging old school heavy metal with a gritty attitude. When it delivers, it does it as well as any album in contemporary heavy metal. Unfortunately, the band’s attempts at diversifying the song selection tend to backfire, revealing their relatively limited songwriting abilities.”
Rating: 87 / 100 “Burn the World represents a frequently explosive effort that sometimes dwindles to embers. Its most compelling pieces occupy the early going, and the level of inventiveness and technical elaboration revealed upfront can’t sustain itself for the album’s duration. Many inspired and exceptional moments contribute to a respectable venture that remains enticing for its duration, even if it’s not enough to set the world on fire.”
Rating: 98 / 100 “Blazon Stone’s fourth full-length album gravitates closer to Running Wild’s ’90s sound than anything from Ced to date, yet instead of complacently following in the wake of the older band’s vessel, Blazon Stone has prepared a hostile takeover. Down in the Dark uses established techniques to challenge Running Wild for dominance of the speed metal seas, and it does so with genuine respect and admiration, even as it boards their ship and sets fire to the sails.”
Rating: 28 / 100 “Generally lifeless, frequently tedious, and occasionally embarrassing, Accept has piled on the latest releases from Judas Priest and Iron Maiden with a meaningless contribution to the modern heavy metal scene that does more damage to the band’s legacy than anything else.”
Rating: 72 / 100 “Too few distinguishing features occupy the musical landscape to separate the songs, and listeners are given little sense of space or progress as the story unfolds. As the follow-up to one of the finest true heavy metal albums this side of the 1980s, Sanctimonious is a distinctly disappointing outing.”
Rating: 65 / 100. “The most remarkable part of the album is its unfaltering commitment to ’80s underground heavy metal. Those who enjoy tight execution and clean production should skip this one, but fans craving a chunk of unrefined nostalgia mined from the depths of metal history will find a satisfying, if ultimately limited, listening experience.”
Rating: 91 / 100. “The drums frequently mix things up in the middle of verse sections, guitar riffs evolve rapidly, and new elements are selflessly introduced late into a song’s running time to keep things fresh. In short, this is a smart and nuanced recording that rewards careful listening and repeated spins.”
Rating: 84 / 100. “The band is adept at a variety of styles, shifting easily from speed metal to classic heavy metal and supporting it all with genuine elements of blues and hard rock.”
Rating: 75 / 100. “Satan’s Hallow is perfect to throw on for a Saturday night drinking session with some friends, but those looking for depth, nuance, and song variety will find them in short supply here.”