Satan

Templar – Conquering Swords Review

Templar – Conquering Swords Review

By Steel Druhm on February 26, 2026 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, 47 comments

“There’s a burgeoning old school 80s trve metal movement growing these days, with more and more young bands longing to sound really olde. Steel is there for that, as it speaks directly to his ancient bones. A good number of these retro sword-swinging acts seem to be coming out of Sweden of late. We covered Century’s Sign of the Storm last year, and here comes Templar with their Conquering Swords debut, which was produced by Century’s Staffan Tengnér. As a fan of conquest and swords (and that awesome van-worthy cover art), I’m the target audience for this early 80s throwback insanity.” Room & sword.

Dolmen Gate – Echoes of Ancient Tales [Things You Might Have Missed 2025]

Dolmen Gate – Echoes of Ancient Tales [Things You Might Have Missed 2025]

By Baguette of Bodom on December 4, 2025 in Things You Might Have Missed 2025, Heavy Metal, 32 comments

“You can never have too many swords. This has always been the truth, and Portugal’s Ravensire was well aware of it, following in the triumphant heavy metal footsteps of fellow countrymen Ironsword for three albums. Even when fate would strike down Ravensire in 2020, drummer Alex and guitarist Nuno remained undeterred. They formed a new lineup under the Dolmen Gate banner and got to work immediately.” Sword hoarders.

Iron Spell – From the Grave Review

Iron Spell – From the Grave Review

By Steel Druhm on July 25, 2025 in Reviews, 31 comments

“Sometimes, we in the AMG Writers Guild grab a promo based solely on the band or album name, or the combination thereof. If it features any derivative of the word “vomit,” you know Mark Z will put his dirty paws all over it. If it has a wonky, prog-tastic moniker, Dolphin Whisper will seize the means of wank production. And if an alloy gets name-dropped, chances are Yours Steely will snatch it quicker than you can say CROM! That’s what brought me to Chile’s Iron Spell and their sophomore release, From the Grave.” Let the metal magic in.

Helms Deep – Chasing the Dragon Review

Helms Deep – Chasing the Dragon Review

By ClarkKent on June 20, 2025 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, NWOBHM, Power Metal, Speed Metal, 38 comments

“Helms Deep made quite a splash with their debut, Treacherous Way, thanks to their high-energy ode to speed metal acts of the ’70s and ’80s. Now they’re back with a little extra firepower in the form of guitarist Ray DeTone and a more progressive-minded drummer in Hal Aponte (Ice Age). The remaining two players make their return, including bassist John Gallagher, who AMG writers have attempted to lure back into the comments section since his infamous critique of Huck N Roll’s review of Raven’s Metal City. Finally, there’s Helms Deep founder and frontman, Alex Sciortino, whose impressive vocals help propel this project to the next level. On Chasing the Dragon, Sciortino promises a new focus while still maintaining their modern take on old-school thrash and traditional heavy metal.” Metal strongholds and ancient draGONS.

Tower – Let There Be Dark Review

Tower – Let There Be Dark Review

By Steel Druhm on March 19, 2025 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, 42 comments

“Back in the Year of Our Plague 2021, New York City’s own Tower came out of nowhere and delivered a massive sucker punch to an unsuspecting Steely with their appropriately titled sophomore opus Shock to the System. It was a powerhouse ode to classic 80s metal full of sizzling guitar work and the massive vocals of Sarabeth Linden. It mixed the best elements of early US metal and NWoBHM and it hit significantly above its weight. 2025 brings us the sequel, Let There Be Dark.” The Dark Tower ascendant.

Morax – The Amulet Review

Morax – The Amulet Review

By Steel Druhm on February 19, 2025 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, 43 comments

“Way back in 2019 we reviewed the Norwegian thrash act Inculter and lavished much praise upon their Fatal Visions album. We then somehow slept on 2023s Morbid Origin completely because mistakes were made. Now we get the solo project by Inculter guitarist/vocalist Remi Andrè Nygård and it’s an altered beast of a different color. Rather than another crazy thrash attack, Morax is Remi’s one-man, do-it-all-yourself vehicle for exploring his love of classic 80s heavy metal sounds. In particular, that sweet spot where Mercyful Fate rubbed up on NWoBHM and style.” Haunted broach and fateful mulch.

Time Rift – In Flight Review

Time Rift – In Flight Review

By Kenstrosity on January 27, 2025 in Reviews, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, 21 comments

“Time Rift reminds me very heavily of last year’s Saturday Night Satan, which is an excellent place to start. Subtract the occult inspirations, you still gain massively hooky songs, belting and charismatic vocals, buttery smooth rock riffs and grooving percussion. Built for fans of classic acts, like Budgie, and modern standouts such as Argus, Pristine, and Satan alike, In Flight is upbeat, youthful, and brimming with vim and vigor.” Time is a flat circle.

Century – Sign of the Storm Review

Century – Sign of the Storm Review

By Holdeneye on January 21, 2025 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, NWOBHM, 30 comments

“There’s something so magical about epic traditional metal. Of course, I could be speaking about the genre’s sword and sorcery themes, but I actually mean it in a much larger sense. So much of today’s metal is unmistakably modern in the way that it is produced, played, and marketed, and, yes, I enjoy a ton of this perfectly polished output. But it’s so much fun to have a sub-genre of our favorite music that not only transports us back decades in time through conscious aesthetic choices but also teleports us to another universe where might and magic reign supreme.” Century of trveness.