Sorrow Eternal: A Metal Music Blog

Eibon - II (2013)

Fri, 17 May 2013 22:35:19 -0400

There is epic; and then there is EPIC. It isn’t all about track length, but how much organized chaos and doom you can cram into that frame. And France’s Eibon, with their sophomore album, have packed a lifetime worth of hard nosed riffs and screaming vocals into songs of intimidating length. “II” is a fucking death blow.

http://sorroweternal.blogspot.com/2013/05/eibon-ii-2013.html

Churchburn - Churchburn (EP) (2013)

Thu, 16 May 2013 23:23:33 -0400

Don’t try to judge this book by its cover. Churchburn may have a name and artwork that conjures up some intense feelings, but their music will do much more, if you give it a chance. On their new self titled EP, they put doom, death, and black metal in a blender, and give you a swig of the protein shake that is formed.

http://sorroweternal.blogspot.com/2013/05/churchburn-churchburn-ep-2013.html

Shade Empire - Omega Arcane (2013)

Wed, 15 May 2013 21:29:53 -0400

With the release of their 4th album, Shadow Empire have taken the next logical step from good band to great. They’ve ironed out the kinks, rounded off the edges, and released an album that would make others in the genre jealous. Move over Dimmu Borgir. Step aside Fleshgod Apocalypse. “Omega Arcane” is a juggernaut.

http://sorroweternal.blogspot.com/2013/05/shade-empire-omega-arcane-2013.html

Polyphia - Inspire (EP) (2013)

Tue, 14 May 2013 23:10:01 -0400

The old LV syndrome, or Lead Vocalist Syndrome for those who don’t know, may have led to the demise of the position. With the recent influx of instrumental metal and rock bands, vocals may go the way of the dinosaurs. And Polyphia, with their “Inspire” EP, are proof positive that lyrics don’t make the man.

http://sorroweternal.blogspot.com/2013/05/polyphia-inspire-ep-2013.html

Infinita Symphonia - Infinita Symphonia (2013)

Mon, 13 May 2013 20:48:10 -0400

Italy’s Infinita Symphonia turned a lot of heads with the release of their debut album some two years ago. But as quickly as they made us believe Italy was the home for true progressive power metal, they make us second guess that notion. Their new, self titled album lacks the edge of their debut, and pushes them from the front, back into the pack.

http://sorroweternal.blogspot.com/2013/05/infinita-symphonia-infinita-symphonia.html

The Podcast: Episode 83 (Happy Metal Mother's Day... or something)

Sun, 12 May 2013 21:13:13 -0400

Today is the day we like to thank our mothers for carrying our lazy fetus-asses around for nine months, birthing us, and putting up with our shit for God knows how many years. I suggest we celebrate not only our own mothers, but the headbanging mothers across the world. To do that, I sat down in a brief period of rest to discuss the albums of the week, the mixed bag that we call our content.

http://sorroweternal.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-podcast-episode-83-happy-metal.html

The Podcast: Episode 82 (Spotify? You let me worry about Spotify)

Sun, 12 May 2013 00:24:11 -0400

With Spotify now all the rage among downloaders (both legal and otherwise) and music fans of all kinds, it seems to the perfect time to slow down and reevaluate where our money goes when we pay for music in various forms. While their premium subscription may seem like an end to piracy, there is more math at play that needs to be explored, and a better way to pay artists must be found.

http://sorroweternal.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-podcast-episode-82-spotify-you-let.html

Trinakrius - Seven Songs Of The Seven Sins (2013)

Fri, 10 May 2013 20:39:09 -0400

Having invested 18 years, give or take a hiatus, into their craft, Italy’s Trinakrius have a lot left to prove, and even more left to accomplish. Their take on progressive power metal certainly isn’t perfect, but they have a whole lot of bright spots to point to. On “Seven Songs Of The Seven Sins,” they take the seven deadly sins to task… perhaps for a bit too long.

http://sorroweternal.blogspot.com/2013/05/trinakrius-seven-songs-of-seven-sins.html

Newsted - Metal (EP) (2013)

Thu, 09 May 2013 23:38:46 -0400

With many feeling that his glory days are long behind him, metal journeyman Jason Newsted has returned with a band that not only bears his name, but his aging soul. With a album that sounds like a revival of the 20th century thrash he once helped to strengthen, but without the intensity he once promoted, “Metal” is not a return to form.

http://sorroweternal.blogspot.com/2013/05/newsted-metal-ep-2013.html

Dark Moor - Ars Musica (2013)

Wed, 08 May 2013 20:13:24 -0400

Don’t be afraid when Brian tells you that the new Dark Moor is different from previous efforts. They haven’t abandoned all that make them fantastic. But with their new album, due out in June on Scarlet Records, they needed to give you something new. And on “Ars Musica,” they succeed… in a big way.

http://sorroweternal.blogspot.com/2013/05/dark-moor-ars-musica-2013.html

Drunar - Testimony (EP) (2012)

Wed, 08 May 2013 09:46:53 -0400

Buried beneath a layer of muffled production woes, there might be a layer of Viking metal worth hear. But for Drunar, getting through that chunky piece of audio error is a task in and of itself. And as a result, “Testimony” is a hard pill to swallow.

http://sorroweternal.blogspot.com/2013/05/drunar-testimony-ep-2012.html

Drunar - Testimony (EP) (2012)

Tue, 07 May 2013 23:36:01 -0400

http://sorroweternal.blogspot.com/2013/05/drunar-testimony-ep-2012.html

The Ocean - Pelagial (2013)

Mon, 06 May 2013 20:12:39 -0400

The mystery of The Ocean may have finally been solved. It had taken years and many albums to crack the code, but with the release of their new album, the deep, dark “Pelagial,” they struck a needed chord. The long journey from surface to depth is complete, but we can only hope there is more to come.

http://sorroweternal.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-ocean-pelagial-2013.html

The Podcast: Episode 81 (Now things are getting interesting)

Sun, 05 May 2013 20:41:37 -0400

You can’t listen to the same old thing all day, every day. You need a change of pace now and then. So this week, we were treated a slew of new and exciting artists and styles; ones that may change the way we listen to music. The week began with a powerhouse album from Vancouver’s own Anciients, which was offset by the Jeckyll and Hyde confusion of Dementia Senex. Brian was delighted by the debut album from Ade, enough to level a threat against the non-believers. And things ended on a high note, with Russian born guitarist Julia Kosterova giving a new depth to the solo guitarist album, and Thy Raventhrone showing off keyboards aplenty. New, exciting, sometimes unpolished. But always interesting.

http://sorroweternal.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-podcast-episode-81-now-things-are.html

Thy Raventhrone - End (2013)

Fri, 03 May 2013 20:46:07 -0400

Length or substance? Does a track need to be epic in length to be epic in presentation? That call belongs to you. But for Thy Raventhrone, the brainchild of Jani Kalin, size does matter. With tracks that seem to be sometimes endless, the run time on “End” extends far beyond what the substance can withstand.

http://sorroweternal.blogspot.com/2013/05/thy-raventhrone-end-2013.html

Julia Kosterova - Springs Of Time (EP) (2013)

Thu, 02 May 2013 22:33:55 -0400

Russian born shredder Julia Kosterova has a lot in common with some of the best guitarists in the business. But more than her ability to deliver moments of deft fretwork, she possesses the talent to stand out when needed, and be a band leader when wanted. Her solo EP, “Springs Of Time” boasts some big names, and some bigger riffs.

http://sorroweternal.blogspot.com/2013/05/julia-kosterova-springs-of-time-ep-2013.html

Ade - Spartacus (2013)

Thu, 02 May 2013 01:04:18 -0400

Roman inspired death metal? It sounds like a recipe for success, especially after the release of the latest Ex Deo album last year. But not only do Ade take their influences to new heights, but they inspire Brian to issue a threat; If you don’t believe, “Spartacus” himself may hunt you down.

http://sorroweternal.blogspot.com/2013/05/ade-spartacus-2013.html

Dementia Senex - Heartworm (EP) (2013)

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 22:47:41 -0400

Like a fine wine, music sometimes takes time to age properly. Dementia Senex are far from their prime, but with only five years under their collective belts, they are also far from over. The songs on their new “Heartworm” EP aren’t all concise and well rounded, but they are well on their way to something better.

http://sorroweternal.blogspot.com/2013/04/dementia-senex-heartworm-ep-2013.html

Anciients - Heart Of Oak (2013)

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 20:01:34 -0400

It’s about time credit is given where credit is due. The first dose goes to Vancouver based quartet Anciients, who deliver an astonishing debut album unto our ears. But the second dose? To Season Of Mist for reaching out far and wide and giving this fusion four piece a chance to shine through the haze.

http://sorroweternal.blogspot.com/2013/04/anciients-heart-of-oak-2013.html

The Podcast: Episode 80 (Day time soap opera)

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 20:29:38 -0400

If only I didn’t need to have a day job to pay the bills. I would love nothing more than to sit here, write reviews and talk metal all damn day. Fuck. But in the last two weeks, we have had a full slate of reviews, and it is time to catch up on some of the best. Ghost (add the B.C. if you’re naughty) gave us a reason to change our opinion. Though their recently released sex toy box set may change it back. Hvile I Kaos took cello metal to a new arena. Heaven Shall Burn has a fair amount of Brian’s spit on their collective dicks, while Shining just didn’t have enough to warrant their black-jazz moniker this time around. A new Amorphis album took time to grow before cementing itself in our brains, and a new disc from The Old Wind literally blew us away. God damn, it’s been a great 2013.

http://sorroweternal.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-podcast-episode-80-day-time-soap.html