No Nonsense Metal Reviews

AMON AMARTH:  DECEIVER OF THE GODS    Unless you've spent the last few months pillaging settlements, performing vital repairs on your Longboat, or have been in an ale induced coma, then you will be fully aware that Deceiver Of The Gods has landed. Armed with facial hair inducing slabs of brutality, Amon Amarth demonstrate the true meaning of Melodic Death-Metal.    There is far more to Amon Amarth and Deceiver Of The Gods, than just beards and axes. The ten songs that comprise this majestic creation, are ten of the finest songs ever produced. Revolving around the continual theme of Vikings and Mythology, this album casts aside any other album of its kind.    Choosing a single favorite song from this album is an impossibility. The bruising, marching riffs and warriors tale of, "We Shall Destroy", comes fairly close to being a highlight of this album. As the song progresses through blast-beat style riffs and chugging breakdowns, it provides t...

HAVOK: UNNATURAL SELECTION        Think that political views mixed with Thrash-Metal has already been done? Well not like this it hasn't. Thanks to Megadeth, we already know that chugging riffs and governmental despise go together like Friday nights and beer, but after hearing Unnatural Selection, it becomes obvious that there is still a lot of room for creativity within this field. Luckily, the politically burdened side of the album doesn't drown out the straightforward Metal side of things. Even on tracks like "It Is True", the strength of the lyrical themes doesn't hinder the urge to head-bang and windmill like a demonically possessed person being showered with holy water.    After Havok's 2011 triumph, Time Is Up, the expectation and anticipation on Unnatural Selection, was at stratospheric levels. After being subject to the double blow of opener "I Am The State" and "Give Me Liberty... Or Give Me Death", any previous trepi...

No Nonsense Metal Reviews   Download Festival 2013 Reviewed SLIPKNOT Rating: 10 = Life Changing, 1 = life ruining   With a line up as good as Downloads, there is no wonder that 90,000 Metal hungry headbangers have descended on Donington Park to attend the most Metal event of 2013. For 3 days a year, this vast site is home to one of the UK's most prestigious festivals. Anyone lucky enough to attend this congregation of Metal pilgrims will know, Download is something you will never forget. Whether your camping on Wednesday, in for the long haul, just going for the day, or there for 2 days like No Nonsense Metal, then you know that its something not to be missed.    As you might expect, the weather doesn't exactly suit the high spirits here. The on and off showers don't fill bands and fans with much confidence, but at the end of the day, that is British weather for you. Due to unforeseen circumstances, No Nonsense Metal only arrived for the third band on. T...

CHILDREN OF BODOM HALO OF BLOOD     Another Children Of Bodom album, another selection of brilliant songs, another victory for Finland's finest. Halo Of Blood really has got something for everyone, Whether you're particularly into earlier albums like Hatebreeder and Follow The Reaper, or a fan of more recent releases, such as Blooddrunk and Relentless Reckless Forever.     Over the last 15 years, Children Of Bodom have created some truly phenomenal albums. Halo Of Blood is the latest chapter in Bodom's legacy, displaying all of the gradual evolving of the band over the years, resulting in a sound that is undeniably Children Of Bodom's.     Every track on Halo Of Blood, is entirely its own entity. The bruising opening track, "Waste Of Skin", will get you in the mood to mosh, with its Blooddrunk style vibe and gradual ascent into the trademark, symphonic-Death riffs. The Emperor saluting title track, "Halo Of Blood", begins with ferocious ...

THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER:  EVERBLACK                    In a time where repetition and lack of originality is rife within the Metal music world, it really is life affirming when a genuinely great album comes along.    Everblack is full to the bursting point with a expansive array of screams and growls from vocalist Trevor Strnad, and the riffs are as merciless as you would have come to expect. In fact songs such as the peculiarly named, "Phantom Limb Masturbation", display some more relentless Thrash infused riffs.    There is certainly no short supply of the brutal stuff here on Everblack. The Black Dahlia Murder have been rapidly gathering momentum and popularity over the last few years, resulting in a large amount of expectation awaiting the album. Realistically, within the first few seconds of the barbarous opener, "In Hell Is Where She Waits For Me", any trepidation of how the album will sound and how...

EVILE: SKULL       Skull is here, to encapsulate your brain and be on the receiving end of many a mosh session. That is not Skull's only purpose though. Skull is here to save the Thrash-Metal world from the chasm of repetition that it is slowly edging ever closer to. Does Skull really blow as many minds and level as many buildings as the earlier reviews indicate? The short answer is a resounding yes. The long answer is that we have only seen the immediate effects of Skull, all we can do now is wait. Wait to see how quickly Skull rockets its way into album of the year lists, album charts, metal prestige and how rapidly Evile ascend into world renowned headline status.    Enter The Grave was the sound of a young and fresh band, Influenced by the kings of Thrash and ready to formulate their own sound. Infected Nations was the sound of a band that had began to explore their own potential, while ever pushing the boundaries set before them. Five Serpents T...

MEGADETH  SUPER COLLIDER     Firstly, lets make something clear. Megadeth released Peace Sells.... But Who's Buying?, in 1986. They released Rust In Peace, in 1990. Countdown To Extinction, was released in 1992. So why, in 2013, would Megadeth decide to release the same album again? Those three albums previously mentioned already exist, why would they try to release the same album over and over again? More importantly, why would anyone want them to? The answer is, no band who is aiming to remain relevant and please fans with fresh and invigorating albums, would churn out generic albums every few years. If you're a fan of Megadeth, you will certainly buy a copy of Super Collider, appreciate that it consists of a selection of brilliantly new and energising songs, and then listen and enjoy the new material. If you're a "Keyboard warrior", or a "online troll" then you will probably take to the internet to voice your opinion concerning Me...

CHTHONIC: BU-TIK        Chthonic have returned to conquer the world, the charts, your soul, and your album collection. Their weapon of choice? One of the strongest contenders for the album of the year title, and their greatest accomplishment to date. With 2009's Mirror Of Retribution, and 2011's Takasago Army already in Chthonic's trophy cabinet, you would be correct in thinking that their greatest accomplishment is something exceptionally mind blowing indeed.     Fans of the breathtaking Takasago Army, will not be disappointed by Bu-Tik. The thunderous, rhythmic and monolithic riffs remain. When coupled with Chthonic's distinctive usage of atmospheric instrumentals, created by a selection of keyboards, synthesizers and traditional Erhu, the sound becomes completely encapsulating. The songs themselves display Chthonic's mastery perfectly. "Defenders Of Bu-Tik Palace", combines the key components of Death-Metal, turns up t...

NNMR: No Nonsense Metal Interviews TANKARD    Tankard have been Thrashing and promoting excessive alcohol consumption for the last three decades, and for those reasons they are heralded as the King's of Alcoholic Metal. Fifteen albums into their career, Tankard show no signs of slowing down. Despite having such an impressive career, these Thrash-Metal icons don't seem remotely phased by success.    No Nonsense Metal got in touch with Tankard's own Olaf Zissel, to get the latest word from the German Teutonic Thrash Legends camp, and see what they have going for the future. NNM : Hey Olaf, Its been 30 years and 15 studio albums since Tankard began. Why do you think it is      that Tankard has had such a great career? Olaf : "I don't know if you can call it great..... I prefer to say "long", and I think there is nothing special to it. Just kept on going in times when nobody is listening to our music." NNM : Tankard have released an impress...

MY DYING BRIDE: THE MANUSCRIPT EP     The masters of Doom return once again to drown we mere mortals with the essential threshold of bleak that we so need. It just so happens that once again, My Dying Bride, have released another collection of mind blowing brilliance.     2012's A Map Of All Our Failures, was a genuine masterpiece. It captured the very essence of Doom Metal. Three of the four songs that comprise The Manuscript, were recorded at the same time as the 2012 opus. The resulting creation, is an EP with a virtually identical sound to its full-length associate.     The anthems of Blackened winter Doom are in abundance here, with the magnificent "A Pale Shroud Of Longing" and title track, "The Manuscript". Both of these tracks are strongly reminiscent of previous gems "The Poorest Waltz" and "Within The Presence Of Absence". The slightly more Death or Black-Metal orientated "Var Gud Over Er", makes for a genuine treat. ...

NNMR: No Nonsense Metal Interviews ANCIENT ASCENDANT      If there is one thing that the Metal-Music world has an abundance of, its brilliant young bands. Bands with enormous amounts of talent, ready to be unleashed upon the unsuspecting universe. Ancient Ascendant, are one of those bands, and they are a band destined for great success.    Ancient Ascendant, have released one full-length album and 2 EP's, including 2012's magnificent, "Into The Dark", and are currently crafting new material for their second full-length offering. Ancient Ascendant, have played countless events, including a triumphant appearance at Bloodstock Festival 2012, and have supported one of the biggest bands in extreme Metal.    No Nonsense Metal Reviews got in touch with Ancient Ascendant's own Alan Webb, to try and uncover what is happening with one of Metal's greatest rising stars. NNMR: How are things going for the band right now ? Webb: "Things are great....

BATTLE BEAST: BATTLE BEAST    If this album was anymore powerful, you would need a licence to own it. What a Beast this album is, its claws dig deep into your skin within the first few seconds of opening track, "Let It Roar". Every track is amazing and unique, even the instrumental sections are breathtakingly impressive.    The unhallowed unity of metallic riffing and atmospheric keyboards, creates a jaw-dropping spectacle. It seems that Battle Beast have taken elements of Judas Priest and Helloween, added a sprinkle of their own creative magnificence, and created an album to contest for supremacy as the best Heavy Metal album of the century.    Battle Beast do nothing by half measures. The guitar solos are show stealing displays of masterful musicianship. The vocals can range from slashing screams and wild wails, to throat scratching snarls and haunting howls.    Tracks like "Out Of Control" and "Fight, Kill, Die", wield the muscular voc...

GUIDE TO BEING A METAL-HEAD: 5 ALBUMS YOU NEED IN YOUR LIFE!    Lets face it, we all love that immensely satisfying feeling we get when we hear some great new music. Music that doesn't necessarily have to be new to the whole world, but music that is new to you. New music can have a huge impact on your life. After all, we all discover out favorite bands and songs by listening to something for the first time, right?     Recommendations account for a large amount of the music we discover, whether its a recommendation from a friend, a magazine, a band or even a total stranger on the internet. So here are some albums that most Metal-Heads will already be well acquainted with, but would recommend to anyone hungry for The Metal. Check out these albums, you may even discover your new favorite songs.....  5: NAPALM DEATH  ORDER OF THE LEECH     By the time Order Of The Leech was released, the old Grind-Core tradition of son...

NNMR: No Nonsense Metal Interviews: GAMA BOMB        Thrash. Arguably the purest strain of Metal music. Its responsible for some of the biggest bands in the Metal world. Thrash, like all types of music, has had musical ups and downs. Times when it has been at the top of its game and encircling the world like a plague. It has also had times when it seemed to be crumbling before us. Here in 2013, this scene appears to be in its best health since 1986, and bands like Gama Bomb, are why.    Gama Bomb are one of greatest Thrash bands of the 21st century. Heralding from Ireland, they have created their own unique sound, while helping to rebuild Thrash back into the world conquering machine it was in the 1980's. Their dedication is truly inspirational, both through their extensive touring and their brilliant studio releases. Gama Bomb even released their third full length album as a free download. Gama Bomb's latest release, The Terror Tapes, is he...

IMMOLATION KINGDOM OF CONSPIRACY    Beautiful brutality. Its the only accurate way to describe Kingdom Of Conspiracy. Immolation never fail to deliver the dose of thunderous brutality that we rely on them to provide, and this particular fix of savagery is nothing short of brilliance.    Every aspect of Kingdom Of Conspiracy is drenched in perfection. The rhythmic Death-Metal riffs, coupled with the guttural screams, creates an atmosphere that surrounds the album like a plague. The songs themselves are nothing short of breathtaking. In fact, songs like "Keep The Silence" and "The Great Sleep" are the reasons why Kingdom Of Conspiracy is Immolation's greatest accomplishment to date.     Death-Metal isn't everyone favorite type of music. Even among Metal-Heads, Death-Metal is something of an acquired taste. That said, there is nothing about Kingdom Of Conspiracy that is not to like. The songs are incredible and the sound is complet...

5 Reasons Why You Should Love Classic        THRASH METAL    We all love Thrash. You don't need to have been around in the 1980's to be classed as a real Thrasher, all you need is a thirst for riffs and a hunger for the mosh pit. Luckily for Thrashers, their chosen sub-genre of Metal is rich in classic albums. So here is a short list of 5 reasons why you should love Thrash-Metal. These are only some of the hundreds of incredible albums to emerge from when the scene was on the rise, but that's not the point. You can hardly call yourself a Metal-Head or a Thrasher if you dislike these albums. So, just how Metal are you? 5: DESTRUCTION: INFERNAL OVERKILL       You can't find much more of an underground classic than this. Destruction's first full length album is built purely from the fibers of Thrash-Metal. With its sound that is clearly heavily influenced by Venom and the rising scene around them, Infernal O...