Reviews by Peter Zischke
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Amon Amarth
Jomsviking
By Peter Zischke | 25 March, 2016
There are some bands which are synonymous with a particular genre of music. In the case of what could be called “Viking Metal” - a combination of melodic death metal focussed largely on tales of Norse war, warriors and Gods - Swe...
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Ranger
Where Evil Dwells
By Peter Zischke | 13 April, 2015
Strap in and get ready for a full-on thrash/speed metal attack.
Hailing from Helsinki, Finland, Ranger has been on the scene since 2009, having released a number of demos and EP’s, including 2013’s relatively longer EP ...
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Ashes in Vein
Ashes in Vein
By Peter Zischke | 24 March, 2015
Some decent moments, but generally lacking cohesion and direction
Five-piece melodic metallers, Ashes in Vein, formed in 2008 and hail from Junction City, Kansas, USA. Through the lifetime of the band, there have been some periodic...
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Scott Ian
Swearing Words
By Peter Zischke | 06 December, 2014
Just another night at the pub with a legend of heavy metal
Scott Ian – the man needs no introduction. But I’m going to do it anyway…
Scott will be known by even the most fleeting of metal fans as the New Y...
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Ghost Brigade
IV - One With the Storm
By Peter Zischke | 15 November, 2014
An outstanding start, but a solid, rather than excellent album.
Finnish metallers Ghost Brigade formed in Finland in 2005 and in 2014, have released their fourth LP offering, IV – One With the Storm. The quinte...
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Scar Symmetry
The Singularity (Phase 1 - Neohumanity)
By Peter Zischke | 21 October, 2014
Be prepared – the machines are coming
Purveyors of Swedish melodic death metal, Scar Symmetry, have been at it for a decade now. The band formed in 2004 when Jonas Kjellgren (Carnal Forge), Henrik Ohlsson (Theory in Practice,...
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Various
Metal Down Under
By Peter Zischke | 14 October, 2014
A must see for fans of the local heavy scene and those wanting to know more
It’s said so often that it has almost become passé, but the Australian heavy music scene does not get a whole lot of exposure in Aus, let alone t...
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Anthrax
Chile on Hell
By Peter Zischke | 29 September, 2014
An excellent live release from one of the best
There’s not a lot that can be said about Anthrax that most fans won’t already know. Recent years have seen the reintroduction of vocalist Joey Belladonna, who is the band&rsqu...
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Shihad
FVEY
By Peter Zischke | 08 September, 2014
It’s old-school Shihad. It’s damn good
In the time-honoured tradition of Australia claiming New Zealand’s greatest imports, the Wellington-founded four-piece, Shihad, is now based in Melbourne. Having released their ...
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On Top
Top to Bottom
By Peter Zischke | 02 August, 2014
Young guns On Top have produced a solid, fun EP which has me looking forward to the full album release
Philadelphia trio, On Top, have followed up their debut album Top Heavy (2011) with the 2014 EP, Top to Bottom. Th...
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Dust Bolt
Awake the Riot
By Peter Zischke | 27 June, 2014
Keeping the thrash dream alive, but some editing with “extreme prejudice” would help
Formed in 2006, German thrash metallers Dust Bolt have returned with their second full-length release, Awake the Riot, which foll...
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Mach22
Sweet Talk Intervention
By Peter Zischke | 16 June, 2014
There’s nothing really new here
Mach22 have burst onto the heavy rock scene, with the Philadelphia five-piece’s major introduction to the world coming in the form of their win in the US-based “Onstage with Slash&rdquo...
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Aeon of Horus
Existence
By Peter Zischke | 28 April, 2014
Existence is an intense blend of technical, death, and progressive metal, but damn, it works
Local boys Aeon of Horus formed in Canberra, Australia and have, prior to 2014, released 2 EPs in 2007 and 2011 and a full length release in 2...
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Blues Pills
Live at Rockpalast
By Peter Zischke | 27 March, 2014
Take the blue pill for a breath of fresh air
Having formed in late 2011 and releasing only 2 EPs, a demo, and a single to date, Blues Pills have probably flown under the radar of most up to this point. I’ll admit, until two month...
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Death Angel
The Dream Calls for Blood
By Peter Zischke | 29 November, 2013
The Bay City veterans have unleashed a thrash metal beast this time around
San Francisco thrash metal titan Death Angel has come a long way since forming as a group of teenagers in the early 1980s. The group has been through breakups, ...
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Testament
Dark Roots of Thrash
By Peter Zischke | 29 November, 2013
Are you ready to Rise Up?!
Testament is one of the sometimes unsung heroes or underdogs of the thrash metal genre. While the more observant acknowledge their contribution to the scene, they never received the widespread acceptance that...
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Newsted
Heavy Metal Music
By Peter Zischke | 23 September, 2013
Newkid is back in his latest incarnation and doesn’t disappoint
Jason Newsted will live long in the hearts of most metal fans as the former bass player in metal powerhouse, Metallica, for 15 years until 2001. While many will stil...
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Airbourne
Black Dog Barking
By Peter Zischke | 09 September, 2013
When you’re onto a good thing, stick to it
Australian rockers Airbourne formed in 2003 and worked the local scene for some time, releasing a self-funded EP in 2004. It was in 2007 with the release of their debut album, Runnin...
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Device
Device
By Peter Zischke | 14 August, 2013
Different, but different isn’t always good….
Most people recognise David Draiman as the front man for popular hard rock/metal band Disturbed, which carved out a decade-long career producing a percussive, beat-driven and rh...
