Reviews by Simon Milburn

These heavyweights are a long way from their last act...

There really is only one word to describe Queens, New York (U.S.A.) hardcore legends Sick of it All and that is ‘consistent’. With a lengthy career approaching the i...

Godflesh

Decline and Fall EP

By Simon Milburn | 02 July, 2014

Their long awaited return delivers

We all know just how much of a turning point in metal the ‘80s were. There were many pioneering acts pushing the boundaries of musical extremity from that era, but possibly none more so than Bir...

Wretched

Cannibal

By Simon Milburn | 30 June, 2014

Plenty of bark and one hell of a bite

There is one very big reason why a band like Wretched will continue to fly under the radar of most metal fans out there - they are on Victory Records. Now, it’s not because Victory aren&rsquo...

Body Count

Manslaughter

By Simon Milburn | 27 June, 2014

BC’s back in the house...

In 1992, no one saw Body Count coming. Their debut album, originally called Cop Killer and soon after re-titled as simply Body Count, was the centre of a shitstorm thanks to the album&r...

Corrosion of Conformity

IX

By Simon Milburn | 27 June, 2014

Long-running act falls short of the mark

There was a time that I would look forward to a new record from thrash-crossover-cum-southern-sludge-rockers Corrosion of Conformity. I’m familiar with all of their albums but always found...

Hirax

Immortal Legacy

By Simon Milburn | 23 June, 2014

There can be only one...

... Hirax. This long standing, Los Angeles (U.S.A) based thrash act has a history spanning three decades and a revolving door of musicians that centres around vocalist Katon W. De Pena. For whatever reason, Hir...

Sabbatory

Endless Asphyxiating Gloom

By Simon Milburn | 19 June, 2014

Countless classic death metal riffs...

There really are a lot of influences at play on Sabbatory’s debut long player, Endless Asphyxiating Gloom. The bio mentions German death metallers Morgoth and Swiss metal masters Ce...

Skinfather

None Will Mourn

By Simon Milburn | 10 June, 2014

Dismember worship with a twist

I’ve said before there’s quite the influx of old school Swedeath worship lately. Some are rip offs, some take elements of various acts from that era and kind of do their own thing. Then there ...

Miasmal

Cursed Redeemer

By Simon Milburn | 04 June, 2014

Redeemed and something to remember

There are a lot of bands going around these days that really are pushing the ‘everything old is new again’ mantra hard. In particular, it holds true for thrash as well as traditional Swedi...

From Hell

Ascent from Hell

By Simon Milburn | 04 June, 2014

Never judge a book by its cover

Concept album and supergroup - those ideas alone are a cause for concern for fans, let alone when they’re mixed together. From Hell are a new “supergroup” comprised of well known musici...

Death

Leprosy (Deluxe Reissue)

By Simon Milburn | 04 June, 2014

Essential death metal opus reissue hits the mark

We’re being inundated with reissues and anniversary editions of, and I hate to say it, classic albums these days. Some have really hit the mark, others have pulled up short. I&rsqu...

Ancient Ascendant

Echoes and Cinder

By Simon Milburn | 06 May, 2014

A stunning second release

Just when you think death metal and melodic death metal have gone stale, something new pops up that catches your attention. Right now for me, that band is Reading, England based quartet Ancient Ascendant. Now ...

Addictive

Kick 'em Hard (Rebooted Edition)

By Simon Milburn | 06 May, 2014

Underrated Aussie thrashers get the re-dux treatment

When the thrash metal movement was well and truly in full swing, nay, more so already on the decline even though no one saw it coming, Australia was doing its own thing to contribute...

Steel Panther

All You Can Eat

By Simon Milburn | 01 May, 2014

Party rockin’ on your face tonight

For all of the seriousness in music, particularly metal, it’s been a while since we’ve really been able to just sit back and have fun with it all. Whilst the hair metal acts of th...

Near Death Condition

Evolving Towards Extinction

By Simon Milburn | 28 April, 2014

What it lacks in evolution, it makes up for with fury

Over the years there have been some fine bands originating from the land of fine watches and chocolate – aka Switzerland. Instantly names like Coroner, Celtic Frost (and anyth...

Pantera

Far Beyond Driven (20th Anniversary Edition)

By Simon Milburn | 15 April, 2014

Anniversary release could have packed a little more punch

Twenty years. Twenty god-damned years! It only seems like yesterday that people were losing their minds over Pantera’s third official studio album. The arguments began alm...

Massacre

Back From Beyond

By Simon Milburn | 31 March, 2014

A long overdue return

I’ll probably get a lot of flak for this but, for me personally, Death’s best work is Leprosy. To me, it’s the pinnacle of balls out death metal. So brutal. So heavy. It’s a timele...

Menace

Impact Velocity

By Simon Milburn | 26 March, 2014

Never judge a book by its author

When you consider bands like Meathook Seed, Defecation, Righteous Pigs, and Napalm Death, only one name should come to mind. Mitch Harris. He, of long hair and six-string grind godliness who has unleash...

Hatriot

Dawn of the New Centurion

By Simon Milburn | 18 March, 2014

Second time shows some good ideas but falls short

In an age where album sales are less of a band’s income than ever before, it’s interesting to see San Francisco (U.S.A.) thrashers Hatriot have released their second long pl...

Shrapnel

The Virus Conspires

By Simon Milburn | 10 March, 2014

British thrashers stand up to be counted

I have to admit that Norwich (U.K) thrashers Shrapnel were a band that I’m unfamiliar with. Turns out my Google-fu shows that Shrapnel is not an uncommon band name either. Anyways, since f...