Music Reviews

Metal and heavy music album reviews for those that wish to rock

Music Reviews

Metal and heavy music album reviews for those that wish to rock

HM Album Reviews

Various Artists

Thrashmageddon, Vol. 1

When you download a compilation album, it’s generally safe to assume you’ll receive one or two songs from heavy-hitters, three songs from new bands worth paying attention to, a...

HM Album Reviews

Lessons

American Ghosts

Minnesota-based four-piece Lessons has said it formed “in tribute to recapture the early throwback sound of metalcore,” and that’s precisely what the group delivers on its new EP, American...

HM Album Reviews

Mad Max

Interceptor

The German melodic hard rock kings have churned out another one since we last spoke with them, the new record and artwork being a not-so-subtle nod to the post...

HM Album Reviews

Grim

Vespers

Grim was the name of Thomas Eversole’s one-man black metal project that put out a record way back in 1999 called Scepter of Blood. Eversole has been in and...

HM Album Reviews

Schematic

Color (n.) Inside the Lines

Long ago, in a land far off in the depths of Norfolk, VA, there was a seasoned veteran of alt-indie-rock by the name of David Elkins. Best known for...

HM Album Reviews

Beautiful Eulogy

Instruments of Mercy

The super group(ish) trio of heavenly hip-hop emcees Braile, Odd Thomas and Courtland Urbano’s second long-player is alt like crazy. (Think “Why?” after absorbing a library of systematic theology...

HM Album Reviews

Various Artists

Glimpses of Grace

I’m all for hip-hop based on actual samples, loops and scratches of actually soulful and funky vintage R&B. I’m much more for it than the deluge of sizzyrup-influenced synth...

HM Album Reviews

Stryper

No More Hell to Pay

There aren’t many bands as secure in who they are as Stryper. They know who they are as a band, and that confidence shows in both the songwriting and...

HM Album Reviews

Five Iron Frenzy

Engine of a Million Plots

Two years ago, Five Iron Frenzy launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund a new record, and it was wildly successful. It allowed for Five Iron to deliver their first...

HM Album Reviews

Impending Doom

Death Will Reign

Impending Doom’s new album, Death Will Reign, is a shining example of every era from the California-based deathcore masters. This album captures the in-your-face feel of their 2012 release,...

HM Album Reviews

Corpse

Among the Dead

This reanimated Corpse hails from Kentucky and unabashedly plays old school death metal – from way back when death was the subject matter, not a particular style. Corpse has...

HM Album Reviews

False Idle

California or Bust

False Idle’s California or Bust EP is a collection of acoustic versions of previously released songs by the band. (They come from a combination of the band’s I Refuse...

HM Album Reviews

Scott Stapp

Proof of Life

Arguably one of the most intriguing and controversial rock vocalists of the new millennium, the Grammy-winning Scott Stapp releases his first solo offering since 2005 here with Proof of...

HM Album Reviews

Polyvalent

Want

Polyvalent: an adjective in which something has different functions, forms or facets, an adjective that not only can matchlessly describe this project, but also feels rightly suiting for this...

HM Album Reviews

Black Leather

State of Freedom

Black Leather is the brainchild of Chilean psychotherapist Zvi Tacussis. Therefore, one might slyly suggest that Black Leather – along with Diamoth, Anima Mortuum and his other one-man bands...

HM Album Reviews

Young Oceans

Deluxe

You’re going to need one hour, nine minutes and 45 seconds of uninterrupted listening time to fully immerse yourself in Young Ocean’s Advent. Young Oceans, originating from an alternative...

HM Album Reviews

Lust Control

Tiny Little Dots

Lust Control, a four-piece punk rock band out of Texas, has brought more than just their namesake to the topic list on their latest release, Tiny Little Dots, covering...

HM Album Reviews

Safemode

Gold Digger

Swedish metalcore band Safemode – who leans more towards the punk side of the metalcore genre, but still delivers that familiar metalcore punk – is at their best on...

HM Album Reviews

Dorean Lives

A Cold Fire from the One I Love

Dorean Lives’ A Cold Fire from the One I Loved is one of the best rock albums of 2013. Combining almost every element that has made rock famous, Dorean...

HM Album Reviews

Life as a Ghost

Perception

Life as a Ghost’s new EP, Perception, may be brief, but it packs its fair share of memorable moments. Oddly, it starts out slow, and the five-song collection takes...

HM Album Reviews

Sleep Now

Cast Out

From the first few measures of Cast Out, Dallas-based hardcore quintet Sleep Now establishes its raw, in-your-face M.O. “Hate Bitten” packs aggressive shouts, buzz-saw riffs and a touch of...

HM Album Reviews

Versus Angels

We're Only Human

Versus Angels debut EP came out almost a year ago, but is just now gaining momentum through their single, “Just Alright.” The band was brought together by He is...

HM Album Reviews

Icon for Hire

Icon for Hire

Two years ago, Icon for Hire exploded onto the rock-and-roll scene when the band’s debut album, Scripted, had Tooth & Nails’ highest-selling first week of any debut in the...

HM Album Reviews

Of Eyes that See

Empty Shadows

When you read a band’s list of musical influences, you can usually assume you will hear bits and pieces of those artists within their music, and this is true...

HM Album Reviews

Thousand Foot Krutch

Made in Canada

If you’ve been a fan of Christian rock music for more than a decade, chances are you’ve seen Thousand Foot Krutch in concert, probably have an album or two...

HM Album Reviews

Living Sacrifice

Ghost Thief

I’m glad Living Sacrifice is back, and I don’t think I’m alone in that sentiment. It’s been three years since we’ve gotten a new studio album from the classic...

HM Album Reviews

Close Your Eyes

Line in the Sand

Line In The Sand, Close Your Eyes’ third album from Victory Records, didn’t fall short of anything with this release; die-hard fans have a lot to look forward to....

HM Album Reviews

Color Me Valiant

SinnerServantSon

With its second EP, six-piece Color Me Valiant has delivered one of the most honest, well-rounded metalcore releases of the past several years. The Richmond, Va.-based outfit is a...

HM Album Reviews

Dustin Kensrue

The Water and the Blood

Last year, Dustin Kensrue announced he was moving north to be a worship leader at Mars Hill Bellevue, just outside Seattle. Earlier this year, Kensrue put out a more...

HM Album Reviews

Krig

Decay's Beholder

I’ve been eagerly following each new release from this Brazilian death metal band for some time, and Decay’s Beholder does not disappoint. This time around, the band found a...

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