Time Signature

	Metal Genre	Nb. Rated	Avg. rating
1	Thrash Metal	144	3.89
2	Death Metal	122	3.86
3	Progressive Metal	115	4.07
4	Traditional heavy metal	107	3.88
5	Black Metal	81	3.56
6	Power Metal	67	3.75
7	Hard Rock	64	3.63
8	Doom Metal	49	4.00
9	NWoBHM	42	3.68
10	Alternative Metal	31	3.50
11	Metalcore	30	3.33
12	Sludge/Post-metal	24	3.69
13	Proto-Metal	15	4.20
14	Gothic Metal	13	3.38
15	Folk Metal	13	3.58
16	Glam Metal	9	3.28
17	Grindcore	8	2.88
18	Avant-garde Metal	5	4.30
19	Symphonic Metal	5	2.90
20	Industrial Metal	4	3.38
21	Non Metal	2	2.00

Latest Albums Reviews

ORDER OF NINE Seventh Year of the Broken Mirror

Album · 2012 · Power Metal

Third wish...

Genre: US power metal

I know, I often gripe about the power metal genre and its tendency to be cheesy and kitschy. This does not mean that I dislike power metal as such, and whenever a really cool and interesting power metal band comes along (and, there ARE many of those), my day is pretty much saved.

So, thanks to Order of Nine for saving my day with their latest release "Seventh Year of the Broken Mirror".

Drawing on the more hard-edged aesthetics of US power metal, the tunes on this album are dark and heavy, often entering into power-thrash territory with its aggressive riffage and chucking guitars. There are both epic and melodic elements pulling the music in the other direction (and some of the tracks feature keyboards and other melodic element). The result is a stylistically broad type of power metal that captures the best of both power-thrash and epic power metal. On top of this, Order of Nine have sprinkled a couple of progressive elements. The brilliant "Changing of the Guard" pretty much captures everything that makes this album as interesting as it is.

In a power metal context, perhaps the most unique feature of "Seventh Year of the Broken Mirror" is Michael Degrena's baritone vocals which may take some time getting used to simply because this type of singing is unusual in power metal. But, once his voice clicks with you, hopefully, you should be able to appreciate the important contribution Degrena makes to the unique sound on this album. The musicianship is top notch across the board, and fans of blazing guitar solos especially have something to look forward to.

If you like dark power metal with and unusual vocals, then "Seventh Year of the Broken Mirror" is an album that you simply must not miss out on.

3 hours ago
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Report #268448

DARK EMPIRE From Refuge to Ruin

Album · 2012 · Power Metal

What men call metal...

Genre: power-thrash

I've always thought that there should be "power" in power metal, and one of the reasons that I am very critical of the genre (which I otherwise love very much) is that a lot of power metal tends to be cheesy and even goofy in a sort of happy puppy way. The American power metallers in Dark Empire's music is free of power metal cheese, and full of "power" all the way through.

Stylistically, I would say that we are dealing with power-thrash than pure power metal, which is underlined already in the opening track 'A Plague in the Throne Room', which might even be described as more thrash than power metal. Dark Empire not only make use of elements from thrash metal; like Cage and Iron Fire, Dark Empire also incorporate elements from extreme metal into their style, and this is one feature that I welcome. Thus, Dark Empire make use of additional growled vocals, provided by guitarist Matt Moliti, which go well together with main vocalist Brian Larkin's more traditional US power metal vocals. Larkin has a powerful and a kind of raw voice which suits the style of "From Ruin to Refuge" very well.

Dark Empire call their own style 'dark power metal' and that is a quite fitting label, because, although there are thrash, melodeath, and other extreme-metal elements aplenty, the core sound is undeniably power metal, and the genre-defining features are there, such as the grandiose and epic catchy choruses, and an overall epic atmosphere that actually goes well with the album's more aggressive sides. As with Symphony X's brand of power metal, there is progressive twist on "From Refuge to Ruin" in the form of some odd time signatures, the use of some alternative song structures, and some neoclassicisms. However, Dark Empire's style is much more aggressive and less progressive than Symphony X, so do not expect a "Paradise Lost" or an "Iconoclast".

"From Refuge to Ruin" is definitely a great power-thrash album that is rich in dark atmosphere and aggression, yet contains all the elements that make good power metal.

3 hours ago
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Report #265972

A SOUND OF THUNDER Out of the Darkness

Album · 2012 · Traditional heavy metal

The American metallers A Sound of Thunder are back with their sophomore effort, and, all I can say is HOLY FUCK it's awesome!

But since reviews on the Metal Music Archives have to be more than 100 words, I guess I have to say more than just "HOLY FUCK it's awesome."

Fortunately, this gives me the opportunity to praise the band even more. Combining elements from traditional heavy metal (especially Iron Maiden and Judas Priest seem to be sources of inspiration here) with a few of the non-cheesy elements from mainly US power metal, A Sound of Thunder have put together a collection of very strong and compelling songs, sprinkled with a bit of southern groove, a bit of hard rock swagger, a bit of power-thrash aggression, and a bit of doom metal darkness every now and then. Some tracks are even epic in natures, such as the ballad 'This Too Shall Pass' and the Spanish-flavored 'Calat Alhambra' as well as the quasi-symphonic 'Discovery'.

I must say that, while I enjoy every aspect of the album and the musicianship is top notch all round, the main attraction to me on this album is Nina Osegueda's vocals. She is simply awesome. Her voice is super versatile, ranging from soft silky sentimental singing over raw metal screams to ballbusting rock roars. She is definitely one of the best metal vocalist I have heard in a long time.

Fans of classic metal should definitely check out this album because... HOLY FUCK it's awesome!

3 hours ago
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Report #268447

LANCE KING A Moment in Chiros

Album · 2011 · Progressive Metal

A sense of urgency...

Genre: progressive metal

The seasoned vocalist Lance King has fronted many bands throughout his career, and last year the time came for him to release a solo album - namely "A Moment in Chiros", which is released on his own Nightmare Records.

Stylistically, "A Moment in Chiros" falls under the rubric of progressive power metal which might be described as a blend of Anubis Gate and Queensrÿche (back when Rÿche were more interesting). Artistically, I think that the type of melodic progressive power metal that Lance King delivers is actually quite successful. The performance is tight and there is a certain groove to the compositions, which also strike me as multi-layered and dynamic, but never so whimsical or quirky, that the casual listener can't keep up. King's flirtation with keyboards and electronic elements every now and then could be a recipe for potential disaster to some, but he more than gets away with it, as it actually fits very well into the very melodic sound.

We are definitely dealing with sophisticated and progressive music. However, a central element is a good dose of catchy melodies - especially in the choruses - which is why "A Moment in Chiros" is not prone to alienating people who are not into progressive or avant-garde music. Lance King's voice reminiscent of that of Geoff Tate at times - but also quite unique, and the way he delivers his vocals (with plenty of clarity and power) is destined to make the tunes on the album even more compelling than they already are instrumentally.

Additionally, the drumming (provided by Morten Gade Sørensen og Wuthering Heights and Pyramaze fame) is as precise as a clock, and guitar solos from Anubis Gate's Kim Olesen are nothing less than virtuous. Unfortunately, the bass is not as prominent in the overall mix as it should be, but it serves its purpose.

Fans of progressive metal and progressive power metal along the lines of Queensrÿche, Artizan, Anubis Gate and Pyramaze should check this album out and enjoy the streamlined and sophisticated melodic music it has to offer.

4 hours ago
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Report #268446

TERAMAZE Anhedonia

Album · 2012 · Progressive Metal

Through the madness...

Genre: melodic thrash / power-thrash

Teramaze are branded as a progressive thrash band, and this description has also been applied to their latest effort "Anhedonia". Well, to be honest, I am not sure how progressive I think this album is. It definitely has a a lot of sophistication to it, and there are a couple of odd time signatures and other elements of finesse every now and then, but is that enough to make it progressive?

In any case, we are dealing with melodic thrash metal here - at times even describable as power-thrash. And melodic thrash which, in my opinion, is not only original, but also pretty damn good. The combination of melodic vocals, riffage which is at times melodic and at times aggressive but always sophisticated, and rock solid drums works incredibly well, which we hear already in the opening title track.

While grounded in melodic thrash metal, there are also elements from modern rock in general to be found on this album, and this influence is especially prevalent in Brett Rerekura's at times AIC-like vocals. In the big picture all of these elements fit neatly into the overall sound, as does the crisp and well defined production.

So, this is a very good work of melodic thrash metal, which I find inspiring and invigorating. There is a sad note attached here, though, as Julian Percy, who plays the drums on this album, died from heart problems in 2009 and thus never lived to see the release of "Anhedonia". But, given the sheer quality of the music and the artistic success that this album is, what better way to honor and commemorate Percy than through "Anhedonia"?

Fans of melodic thrash metal should definitely check out this release. It is aggressive but melodic and sophisticated. It is already an artistic success, but you can help make it a well-deserved commercial success, too.

4 hours ago
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Report #268445

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Posted 5 hours ago in VISE MASSACRE: Debut LP Obtainable Online
VISE MASSACRE: Debut LP Obtainable Via Band's Online Store After many harrowing months of delays, disruptions, natural disasters and narrowly thwarted assassination attempts, the bastards in VISE MASSACRE are proud to finally be unleashing their self-financed debut LP through their new online store. Having recently received the wax attack of their Expendable Humans full-length from the pressing plant, VISE MASSACRE redesigned their website with a gnarly new online store heavily supplied with tons of fresh new threads and urban battle gear in addition to both the vinyl and digital versions of the new album. Support D.I.Y. metal/hardcore and stock up RIGHT HERE. With the LP now in-hand, VISE MASSACRE will comb the lands for live opportunities throughout the tri-state and beyond with more heavy tour action in the planning stages for later in the Summer. Several shows have been confirmed and more are being locked down now, including an Earsplit PR showcase at Lit Lounge in NYC on June 18th... Expendable Humans is streaming in its beastly, nihilistic entirety via METAL UNDERGROUND. VISE MASSACRE Confirmed Live Savagery: 5/26/2012 Tommy's Tavern - Brooklyn, NY w/ Parakeets, Respect, All The Heathers Are Dying 6/18/2012 Lit Lounge - New York, NY @ Earsplit PR throwdown 7/07/2012 Elks Lodge - Glen Cove, NY 7/15/2012 Saint Vitus - Brooklyn, NY + + + "...some of the same hardcore-meets-metal fury that permeated projects like Knut, Old Man Gloom, and Black Cobra but with touches of black metal..." - BrooklynVegan "...a 14-track, 32-minute maelstrom of blasting, clattering drumming, enraged howling and riffs that tumble and impact against each other like rutting stags, if said animals had taken the precaution of festooning their antlers with broken glass and rusty switchblades before charging headlong into battle...high-energy, noisy hardcore played with full conviction. No fucking around. 4/5" - OneMetal "...riff upon riff of unforgiving hatred." - Alternative Matter "This 31-minute barrage grabs the listener by the throat and maintains its grip for the majority of its duration... For a DIY type album, the production here is excellent... 9/10" - Metal Assault "As debut albums go Vise Massacre have come up with something pretty special - a Hardcore album that really challenges other bands in this genre to move away from the old clichés. 4/5" - Sea Of Tranquility http://www.visemassacre.com http://facebook.com/ViseMassacre http://twitter.com/visemassacre http://myspace.com/visemassacre http://www.last.fm/music/Vise+Massacre https://www.reverbnation.com/visemassacre
Posted 1 day ago in ACHERONTAS and NIGHTBRINGER join forces!
ACHERONTAS and NIGHTBRINGER join forces! The Ruins of Edom is the title of the new split release between two of the heavily inspiring Occult Black Metal acts: ACHERONTAS from Grecce and NIGHTBRINEGR from the US. The split is set to be released June 26th in Europe and August 16th in North America and the cover artwork is attached below. On The Ruins Of Edom both bands continue to travel the previously selected path of mystical elegance, presenting the specific, magical atmosphere and darksome melodies they're are known for. At the same time the cooperation of the two outfits falls outside of the recording process. ACHERONTAS (and also Acrimonuis) members in the shape of Cain Letifer, Acherontas V.P.9 and C.Docre will empower NIGHTBRINEGR through handling guitars and drums as session musicians during band's European tour. Furthermore, ACHERONTAS will join the tour for few selected dates, so far including: 01.07.2012 - Black Metal Is Rising Festival (Paris, France) 06.07.2012 - Under The Black Sun Festival (Bernau, Germany) The new split will be available as special & limited editions only, therefore we encourage enthusiasts of both bands to place their orders fast. The formats are as follows: limited to 1000 copies 3-panel digipack CD with 8 pages booklet and limited to 300 copies 12" vinyl (250 black vinyls and 50 cyan blue vinyls available via Agonia Records Webstore exclusivelly). www.facebook.com/pages/Nightbringer/173562699366139 www.facebook.com/pages/Acherontas/144671698890576
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