No Nonsense Metal Reviews

SABATON Korpiklaani and Tyr    It is testament to the popularity of Scandinavian Metal that The Waterfront is packed for the return of 3 of the finest from the north. The bands on tonight's line up are no strangers to this game or to these shores, but judging by the packed out crowd, it is obvious to see that people are already expecting to have their minds blown by the best.        The venue is certainly in high spirits awaiting a Power-Metal party to remember, with smiling faces and plastic cups being exchanged all around. First up to the stage is the Viking obsessed, Tyr [8]. Hindered from the word go by technical difficulties, Tyr still manage to deliver a solid crowd pleasing set, with songs such as " Blood Of Heroes " and " Hold The Heathen Hammer High " sounding more like headliner material than that of the first band on.    Up next are Korpiklaani [7], a Finnish Folk-Metal band that defy expectation. Taking the party to the ne...

CARCASS:  SURGICAL REMISSION/ SURPLUS STEEL    You would be forgiven for assuming that the reason five tracks didn't quite make the cut to be included on a full length album was because they simply weren't good enough. However, with the five tracks that comprise Carcass' new EP, Surgical Remission/ Surplus Steel, that couldn't be further from the truth.    Accompanying Carcass' 2013 full length come back, Surgical Steel, this collection of bonus and sessions material more than lives up to the heavyweight melodic Death-Metal legacy of its creators. Although Surplus Steel doesn't contain any typically "heavy", or particularly fast songs, such as " Captive Bolt Pistol ", this is still a genuinely crushing selection of material.    " A Wraith In The Apparatus " gets proceedings started the right way, filled to rupturing point with Bill Steer's huge iconic riffs and Jeff Walker's instantly recognisable snarl. The stompin...