Dr. A.N. Grier

Shine on you crazy (King) Diamond.
Hirax – Faster than Death Review

Hirax – Faster than Death Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on March 5, 2025 in Reviews, Speed Metal, Thrash Metal, 23 comments

“When Hirax’s newest record dropped, I thought, ‘These guys are still around?’ That’s not me being a dick. They haven’t released a new album since 2014. I suppose that’s on par with the band considering they’ve been on and off since 1984—this year’s Faster than Death only being their sixth full-length release. With vocalist Katon W. de Pena being the only remaining original member of the band, it appears that once a record is complete, that lineup leaves, and the wait begins for a new one to pen another release.” Kult acts, speed, and death.

Havukruunu – Tavastland Review

Havukruunu – Tavastland Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on March 3, 2025 in Reviews, Black Metal, Viking Metal, 124 comments

“Be it the melodic interludes, big Viking choirs, or endless riff changes, Havukruunu continues to bring inspiration with each new record. Which, as hinted at, is difficult to do with a style that has been around since the ’80s and ’90s. And it’s no different for this year’s Tavastland. It’s a fifty-plus-minute journey of Viking and metal culture that’ll have you banging your head, swimming in oceans of melodic beauty, and barking out anthems of an ancient time never forgotten.” Everything’s runed.

Thy Kingdom Will Burn – The Loss and Redemption Review

Thy Kingdom Will Burn – The Loss and Redemption Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on January 21, 2025 in Reviews, Melodic Death Metal, 24 comments

“Scarlet Records have been around for some time, quietly snatching up every power, symphonic, and corset-core outfit in Italy. Why are there so many of these acts in a country of its size, you ask? I-a have-a no idea-a. So, it was a great surprise when I picked up this rando from their label, neither Italian nor any of the aforementioned genre abominations. Thy Kingdom Will Burn hails from the frozen wastelands of Finland and plays sad-boi melodic death metal.” The burning sad.

Hazzerd – The 3rd Dimension Review

Hazzerd – The 3rd Dimension Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on January 16, 2025 in Reviews, Thrash Metal, 52 comments

“Then, 2020 arrived with Covid and Hazzerd’s sophomore release, Delirium. It’s not a bad record, but as the band continues to flex their songwriting and technical skills, Delirium was too much of everything. Be it the fifty-minute runtime, the exaggerated drum fills, or the focus on solo placement instead of song structure, it lacked direction. What it did reveal was these boys can shred, and their desire to create interesting leads and harmonizing guitar work can work with the proper structure. Four years later, The 3rd Dimension sets out to prove the band can pull it off.” Viceroys of Hazzerd.

Svartfjell – I, the Destroyer Review

Svartfjell – I, the Destroyer Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on November 18, 2024 in Reviews, Black Metal, 25 comments

“I, The Destroyer uses Nietzsche’s ‘The Will to Power’ to provide a journey of self-betterment. Beginning by destroying the unsavory elements of one’s life, the album guides the listener on a journey of enlightenment in hopes that the result is self-fulfillment and blissful egoism. On paper, this is a fitting concept for a black metal outfit, the album’s eight tracks follow a process of rebirth, providing moments of recollection to understand what was left behind. But, drawings on paper only go so far. Execution can make or break an album of this caliber.” Is Nietzsche rolling in his grave?

Bombus – Your Blood Review

Bombus – Your Blood Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on October 29, 2024 in Reviews, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, 21 comments

“After a much-needed vacation, and being sick as fuck for weeks, ole Grier is back with something you might not want in your life but you need it. In 2016, AMG Himself reviewed the third record from Bombus, a little-known Swedish outfit. Like AMG, I was surprised that something so simple could plant a seed in my ear and keep me returning for more.” Ear bomb(us).

Flotsam and Jetsam – I Am the Weapon Review

Flotsam and Jetsam – I Am the Weapon Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on September 13, 2024 in Reviews, Power Metal, Thrash Metal, 35 comments

“After a strong start to their career, the band floundered a bit in the late ’90s and early ’00s, making fans question their success regardless of their prolific album delivery since their inception in 1984. But these Arizona bois have begun to impress me once again, dropping bombs since their stellar self-titled release in 2016. This resurgence has brought back that spontaneity of yesteryears, making it easier and easier for me to rediscover them. One can only hope this feeling continues with this year’s I Am the Weapon.” Driftwood or driftgood?

Kingcrow – Hopium Review

Kingcrow – Hopium Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on August 27, 2024 in Reviews, Progressive Metal, 75 comments

“It’s been a hot minute since I’ve thought about Italy’s Kingcrow because we somehow missed their 2018 release, The Persistence. That album was solid but once I heard it, I immediately returned to 2015’s untouchable masterpiece, Eidos. It’s been almost a decade since I fell in love with Kingcrow and now they’re back with a new offering, Hopium.” Prog metal is like pizza….