Alternative Metal

Esprit D’Air – Aeons Review

By Baguette of Bodom on November 12, 2025 in Reviews, Alternative Metal, Electronic Metal, 11 comments

“Electronic music and metal joining forces is often treated with suspicion. Not electronic in the ‘band member finds a Casio keyboard in their cellar’ sense, but a genuine fusion of the two with synthesizers on the forefront. Esprit D’Air is one of the more recent bands making waves with their take on this mix. A Japanese band formed in London in 2010 and spearheaded by Kai (The Sisters of Mercy—yes, that one), they’ve quickly formed their identity around a catchy blend of alternative metal, J-rock, and trance, among other stranger things.” Strange days.

Astronoid – Stargod Review

By Samguineous Maximus on November 10, 2025 in Reviews, Alternative Metal, Pop Metal, Post-Metal, Progressive Metal, Shoegaze, 35 comments

“Astronoid and I have a history. Their 2016 debut Air was one of those lightning-in-a-bottle releases that blew the doors off my early metal fandom. A delirious cocktail of shoegaze shimmer, sugar-coated harmonies, and blast-beaten bliss, it felt like nothing else at the time, and it sent me tumbling down the blackgaze rabbit hole. Add in the fact that these guys hailed from my quiet corner of New England, and I was all in.” Sugar-gazing.

Agriculture – The Spiritual Sound Review

By Owlswald on October 6, 2025 in Reviews, Alternative Metal, Black Metal, Experimental Metal, 69 comments

“Black metal is rooted in extremity—a core toolkit of visual aesthetics, speed, power and atmosphere that naturally imbues it with an inherent spiritual essence. But that essence often collapses into a monochromatic buzz of tremolo and constant tempos. Los Angeles-based quartet Agriculture challenges this expectation with their second LP, The Spiritual Sound, moving beyond the solely dark and brutal in search of presence and illumination.” Digging in the hurt.

Machina Kore – Ghosts of Everest Review

By Kenstrosity on July 24, 2025 in Reviews, Alternative Metal, Groove Metal, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, 10 comments

“Identified as “Groovy Power Metal” in our promo bin, Irish independents Machina Kore promise something that pushes past genre convention while still delivering high-octane, high-quality steel. With their latest release, entitled Ghosts of Everest, Machina Kore offer up ten tracks (two of which are remasters of earlier single releases) across roughly an hour—fairly standard if we use power metal as a baseline. Thematically, Ghosts of Everest tackle an emotional subject matter largely surrounding the highs and lows of life as brought on by both forces beyond control and our own actions/reactions, and of resilience and growth only ever manifested by perseverance. The question remains, would a release like Ghosts of Everest persevere in the midst of a crowded field of steely wares?” Groove is in the heart.

Bleed – Bleed Review

By Saunders on May 7, 2025 in Reviews, Alternative Metal, Shoegaze, 85 comments

“Record label dependability is a handy gauge for assessing quality in the crowded realms of the metalverse. The gauge isn’t always foolproof, but more often than not, a handful of trustier labels in the biz deliver on both quality and individuality. Pittsburgh-based record label 20 Buck Spin has championed many a fine band since its inception 20 years ago, boasting a diverse roster, currently including wide-ranging acts such as Fulci, Vastum, Slimelord, Bedsore, Tribunal, and Worm. It was a curious promotion of Texan band Bleed that piqued my interest. Even amidst the label’s solid variety and idiosyncrasies, on paper Bleed appear an unusual fit. Firstly, Bleed have no affiliation with the extreme sounds of many of their labelmates, instead leaning into a chunky and melodic alternative metal/rock sound channeling late ’90s and early ’00s vibes.” If it bleeds, it leads.

Labyrinthine Heirs – Labyrinthine Heirs Review

By Tyme on April 6, 2025 in Reviews, Alternative Metal, Black Metal, Death Metal, 18 comments

“Eclectic Texan quartet Labyrinthine Heirs is ready to float their self-titled debut album, partnered with I, Voidhanger Records, which has one of the most diverse rosters in the metalverse. All four musicians come from different musical walks of life, and given the label partner, I expected that the music on Labyrinthine Heirs would be off-kilter at a minimum. With Léon François Comerre’s excellent cover painting in view but very little to go on by way of Labyrinthine Heirs’ history, I was intrigued by the promo blurb, which quoted vocalist Evan Sadler as saying, ‘The plan was to marry the sound of Touch and Go Records artists like The Jesus Lizard and Shellac with that of Celtic Frost and Virus.’ I was a big fan of Goat in the 90s and love Celtic Frost to this day, so I was excited to hear how Labyrinthine Heirs would attempt to pull this feat off.” Mix and patch.

Novarupta – Astral Sands Review

By Carcharodon on February 13, 2025 in Reviews, Alternative Metal, Ambient Metal, Post-Metal, 17 comments

“Novarupta’s Astral Sands is the fourth and final part of a tetralogy based on the elements fire, water, air, and earth. Covering the ‘earth’ part of that equation, Astral Sands follows ‘air,’ which came in the form of 2022’s Carrion Movements. A departure from previous outings, that album was an instrumental piece, comprising just two sprawling compositions but was executed so well that I couldn’t help but award it a 4.0. Astral Sands sees Novarupta not only reintroduce the vocals but return to the model seen on the series’ first two installments, Disillusioned Fire and Marine Snow, respectively, working with a different vocalist for each track on the album.” Metal bending.

Melted Bodies – The Inevitable Fork Review

By GardensTale on October 21, 2024 in Reviews, Alternative Metal, Experimental Metal, Noise, 20 comments

“I am more of an album guy than an EP guy. This makes the trend of releasing several EPs and combining them into a full album a bit frustrating. Thankfully, I glommed onto Melted Bodies’ plan to do the same with The Inevitable Fork. After reviewing the first EP in the 2022 roundup, I decided to leave the remainder be for the inevitable album review, which is now upon us in tandem with the third EP.” Toothsome sporking.

Chat Pile – Cool World Review

By Cherd on October 11, 2024 in Reviews, Alternative Metal, Noise Rock, Sludge, 70 comments

“Two years ago, I named Chat Pile’s debut full-length God’s Country my Album o’ the Year, at considerable risk to myself. You see, the senior partners at AMG and Sons, LLC have no love for the Pile or for the greasy noise rock/post-hardcore/sludge these Oklahoman’s produce. After submitting my year-end list, I endured all manner of verbal abuse, which would have been fine had it not been followed closely by physical abuse. A hulking ape branded a large “P” on my chest, after which a gang of masked n00bs beat me senseless. Two years have passed, and Chat Pile’s sophomore release Cool World has arrived.” Pile on the abuse.

Madder Mortem – Old Eyes, New Heart Review

By GardensTale on January 25, 2024 in Reviews, Alternative Metal, Gothic Metal, Progressive Metal, 82 comments

“Angry Metal Guy might be the only place on the internet where Madder Mortem won’t need an introduction for a significant amount of its readers. The Norwegian band first made waves here with Red in Tooth and Claw, and those waves got much bigger with Marrow earning a well-deserved 4.5 and topping several lists. It’s also the only band with a movie review on the site. When there is no news on the band I still can’t stop name-dropping them, even when it’s not relevant to the music I’m reviewing. So when I contacted the band to send them the movie review and they told me they were in the middle of recording a new album, my inner hype machine went into overdrive.” Heart of a fanboy.