This second release from the John Bush-era was pretty much universally panned by the mainstream heavy metal press and quickly sunk without a trace. But was it really the death knell of the mighty Anthrax’s career that many would deem it to be? Our answer to that is a resounding fuck no! From tracks one to ten, Stomp 442 was (and still is) a full-on, straight-up, heavy metal monster which didn’t mess around. From the bilious rage of opener “Random Acts Of Senseless Violence” – a bone-breaker that still hits remorselessly hard – to the mid paced stacatto riffing of “In A Zone” and “Nothing”, whi ..read more

Some simply sublime metal albums are turning 30 years old this year…..here’s ANOTHER 6 of ’em to keep you going! Defiance – Beyond Recognition [USA] Released: March 27th, 1992 via Roadracer Records Genre: Technical Thrash Metal At this stage in their career, Defiance were now trying to out ‘heavy’ the likes of Testament (by way of fellow Bay Area brethren Heathen) and found themselves forging ahead in an ever more progressive thrash direction….and they were damn good at it too! “Inside Looking Out” entertained a decidedly warped take on typical chugging riff ..read more

California’s DEVILDRIVER have revealed the music video for new song “Wishing”, the latest track taken from their hotly anticipated new album Dealing With Demons I, set for release on 2nd October via Napalm Records. “Wishing” follows in the wake of the previously released “Keep Away From Me”, “Iona” and “Nest Of Vipers” and comes with a dreamlike official music video which you can watch at the link below. The video is the band’s most surreal visual yet – placing each member of DEVILDRIVER in a nightmarish state, trying to physically reach their loved ones just to have them disappear o ..read more

Overkill are thrash metal legends. But with such a huge back catalogue to devour (20 full length studio albums and counting), where the hell do you start?  There’s also the small matter of new album, Scorched, to review and rank! Well, fear not, thrash lovers. We’ve re-assessed Overkill’s entire back catalogue and done the hard work for you….  Unpronounceable…. 20. ReliXIV (2005) ReliXIV may not be Overkill’s best work – in fact, it’s far from it – but it is an ‘Overkill album’ and by that we mean it’s exactly what you’d want and expect from Bobby Blitz and DD Ve ..read more

Sweden’s Methane (not the country’s entire stinky gas quota fortunately) released their second full length album on 27th January, 2023 with the rather catchy – and potentially comical – title of Kill It With Fire. Formed in 2012 by bassist/vocalist Tim Scott (he of cult American death/thrashers Revenant) and Jimi Masterbo of Hell Patrol, Methane could hardly be described as prolific. However, as the old saying goes, good things come to those who wait and it has been just over a five year wait since 2017’s Pantera-styled, groove-laden The Devil’s Own. So, what are we facing here? Well, Met ..read more

A nu-metal kind of affair – which will inevitably wind up those who’ve forever bad-mouthed the sub genre but will surely appeal to those who enjoy angst, anger and angular riffing – it should come as no surprise that Almøst Human were first born in the 90’s, under Olivier Perdrizat (guitar and composition) and Rosario Fullone’s (drums) initiative, before slowly fading into obscurity. Bouncing back in 2008, these Swiss survivalists have stood by their sound and have finally unleashed their first full length in the shape of XS2XTC. While fans of Sevendust, latter-day Mudvayne and groove-hea ..read more

You know when a new band reminds you of another band but you can’t quite put your finger on who. The influence is there and it’s on the tip of your tongue but you just can’t, quite, spit it out. Not so with Denmark’s Rambuk. They sound exactly like Lamb Of God. EXACTLY like ‘em. So, whether Rambuk’s debut full length album will appeal comes down to how much you like Lamb Of God. Don’t like ‘em? Then do not hit play. Don’t mind them (especially the older stuff)? Crack on fella, Lamb of G…..sorry, Rambuk are waiting to greet you with open arms! On the ..read more

Released the day before the death of Pantera founding member and drummer Vinnie Paul (R.I.P.), Live At Dynamo Open Air 1998 is an intriguing listen…..but one that now comes tainted with a tinge of sadness, despite the fact that Live At Dynamo is a joyous celebration of Pantera’s music. Kicking off with the rambunctious “Walk”, it’s clear that Pantera were in no mood for messing about and what follows is nothing short of a greatest hits set from one of metal’s greatest ever bands! From a caustic “War Nerve” to the belligerence of “Fucking Hostile” and onto a celebratory “Cowboys From ..read more

Spawned from an area that has heavy metal running right through it’s veins, Left For Red were born in 2010 in the West Midlands and were nourished by the records of Black Sabbath and Judas Priest (weren’t we all). In 2014, debut full-length album, All Things Known and Buried, arrived and 2019 sees them returning with their sophomore effort, Human Complex.  A groove metal machine at heart, Left For Red are a band who know their way around a head-bobbing riff but the moody, almost post-metal, doom of opener “Dancing With Misery” proves to be somewhat of a misnomer. Left For Red ar ..read more

Taking their cues from the likes of Trivium, Skinlab, Solitary and Lamb Of God, Finnish thrash/groove metallers Fearrage are heavy on melody and heavy on 90’s thrashy groove but light on that ‘special something’ to differentiate them from the millions of other identikit bands out there. The endeavour is certainly there, with “Those Who Do Not Remember The Past” attempting to add layers to a fairly standard formula and “Your Demise” proving to be the unquestionable highlight of the EP. However, a little more variety in frontman Juha Virkamäki’s barked delivery certainly wouldn’t ..read more