Nuclear Blast

Sylosis – The New Flesh Review

By Lavender Larcenist on February 18, 2026 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, Metalcore, Thrash Metal, 37 comments

“Sylosis has been quietly plugging along in the background for years, a band that, in my anecdotal experience, many have heard of, but few listen to. When I go to shout about the greatness of albums like Monolith or Dormant Heart from the highest peaks, it seems to fall on deaf ears. No more, I say! Lead vocalist and guitarist Josh Middleton has led the band since Edge of the Earth. As the last remaining original member, he became the de facto songwriter and soul of a group that has seen many members over the years and near dissolution during Middleton’s time with Architects. After returning to Sylosis full-time, the band is on their third release in this latest era, The New Flesh.” All hail the new flesh!

Equilibrium – Equinox Review

By Samguineous Maximus on December 3, 2025 in Reviews, Electronic Metal, Folk Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Metalcore, 29 comments

“More than almost any other metal niche, folk metal has to walk a treacherously thin line between “actually good music” and “full-body cringe.” For every band that can fuse arena-sized melodies with genuine folk charm, there are three more tumbling headfirst into the Neckbeard Abyss™, condemned to soundtrack the Nordic-themed house parties of Reddit mods everywhere. Equilibrium has stood proudly on both sides of that divide. Their early triumphs of Turis Frayter and Sagas were mead-soaked romps packed with syrupy pagan hooks and enough triumphant Bjoriffs to level a longhouse, but ever since, the spark has dimmed, and each new release has brought diminishing returns.” Balance restored?

Despised Icon – Shadow Work Review

By Owlswald on November 3, 2025 in Reviews, Deathcore, 33 comments

“Widely regarded as one of the original architects of deathcore, Canada’s Despised Icon hardly needs an introduction. But just in case you’ve been living under a rock for the past two decades, here’s a brief introduction: back in 2002, when MySpace was all the rage and everyone had a friend named Tom, five dudes from Montreal dropped their debut LP, Consumed by Your Poison. Heavily influenced by the likes of Suffocation and Dying Fetus, these Canadians continued to hone their crushing sound on 2005’s The Healing Process by injecting metalcore and hardcore elements into their deathly framework. This unique formula culminated with their third LP, The Ills of Modern Man (2007)—the crown jewel of their discography that made Despised Icon deathcore royalty.” The crown of disgust.

Soulfly – Chama Review

By Grin Reaper on October 24, 2025 in Reviews, Death Metal, Groove Metal, Heavy Metal, Thrash Metal, 39 comments

“Max Cavalera casts one hell of a shadow in metal, with a wide swath of bands he’s either founded or played alongside. Though Cavalera’s mightiest legacy will be his time with Sepultura, he’s been with Soulfly over twice as long. In that time, Max and company have written and recorded thirteen albums. On latest offering Chama, the elder Cavalera relinquished producing credits and creative focus to his son and Soulfly’s drummer, Zyon, providing an opportunity for a fresh direction.” Fly in the flames of time.

Battle Beast – Steelbound Review

By Grin Reaper on October 17, 2025 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, 71 comments

“Steelbound,, Battle Beast’s seventh full-length album, struts forth boasting bubblegum choruses and sticky refrains that, upon contact, are sure to plague your showers and commutes for days afterward. For the uninitiated, the sextet from Helsinki, Finland, plays pop-infused power metal with anthemic, uplifting gusto and broad appeal. Battle Beast simmers with talent, but it’s singer Noora Louhimo that steals the show with her powerhouse range and grit, the perfect voice to broadcast the positivity and pluck that Battle Beast engenders. After years of snacking on sweetmeats, though, has the candy coating left this Beast’s fangs riddled with cavities, or are the teeth still mighty enough to bring the pain?” Steel or cotton candy?

Record(s) o’ the Month – September 2025

By Angry Metal Guy on October 5, 2025 in Blog Posts, 139 comments

And now you come to me and you say, “AMG, give me the Record(s) o’ the Month.” But you don’t ask with respect. You don’t offer friendship. You don’t even think to call me Dr. Metal Guy or compliment my excellent taste. Instead, you come into my house on the day my daughter is to be married, and you ask me to give you the Record(s) o’ the Month—for free.

Stuck in the Filter: May 2025’s Angry Misses

By Kenstrosity on August 6, 2025 in Stuck in the Filter, Atmospheric Black Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Hardcore, Heavy Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Post-Metal, Thrash Metal, 65 comments

May Filters bring August off-kilters. Find your passion amongst the flotsam.

Machine Head – UnatØNed Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on April 21, 2025 in Reviews, Groove Metal, 140 comments

“If you take a step back—maybe a big one—Machine Head’s career is a rollercoaster ride through hell. And not always in a good way. After getting off to a good start and dropping two of their best records, dark clouds began to gather. The Burning Red rain came down on our heads, and the floods of the Supercharger drove torrents of radio-friendly, rap-metal destruction through the streets. Yet, they overcame and rebuilt, marching Through the Ashes of Empires and, ‘Clenching the Fists of Dissent,’ putting The Blackening on ‘From This Day’ forever. Or so we thought.” Head games.

Epica – Aspiral Review

By Kenstrosity on April 10, 2025 in Reviews, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, Symphonic Metal, 75 comments

“Since their founding in 2002, Epica garnered my everlasting adoration as my absolute favorite symphonic metal band, followed by other household names like Nightwish and After Forever. However, unlike the overwhelming majority of their ilk, Epica’s music bares sharper teeth, maintains a stronger connection to the greater pantheon of metal and its more extreme fringes, and remains to this day the most consistent in quality album to album. Few symphonic bands celebrating over 20 years of uninterrupted activity exhibit these characteristics. Consequently, my anticipation for Aspiral soars in my trust that Epica could never let me down, grounded by a great anxiety that one day, they just might.” Epic aspirations.

Record(s) o’ the Month – August 2024

By Angry Metal Guy on October 6, 2024 in Blog Posts, Record o' the Month, Black Metal, Death Metal, 118 comments

August of 2024 was a pretty good month. First, it marked my return from the Injured Reserve, where I’d been nursing a high ego sprain and nagging executive dysfunction issues. These aren’t perfectly fixed, but being back on the field has shown beyond a doubt that I’m still a force to be reckoned with. Second, August of 2024 was a particularly fecund month for potential Records o’ the Month. That surprised me.