And what a year for Germany it has been. And I’m referring, of course, to metal. One after another, week after week, we find ourselves discussing another impressive release out of the central European nation. And we’re covering all metal genres: black, death, power, doom… you name it. For a country that has previously been accused of not producing enough extreme metal, 2015 has proven otherwise. In fact, nine spots isn’t nearly enough to cover all the bands worth mentioning from this year alone. Fortunately, Manny-O-War and I are on it. He shared his favorite metal exports from Germany last week. This time… it’s my turn. Let’s roll on. Continue reading
helrunar
Album Review: Árstíðir lífsins – “Aldafǫðr ok munka dróttinn”
Alright, so, there’s pagan black metal, there’s folk metal, and then somewhere in between you get Árstíðir lífsins. With a name that translates to “seasons of life”, the personality behind this band is immediately apparent. Aldafǫðr ok munka dróttinn is the German/Icelandic trio’s third full length release since their inception in 2008. Released last December internationally, it’s only just making its rounds in North America, so this review may be considered somewhat late. But the fact is, it’s good enough to warrant a full write-up now.
The Horns Up Podcast: Episode 42 (March 6, 2015)
It’s time for Episode 42 of The Horns Up Podcast, your weekly catch-up on all things metal!
This week, the guys ponder their existence in a world in which a Kid Rock album debuts at No. 2. In 2015. Because honestly, what the hell kind of world is THAT? Plus, new albums from Leviathan, Sannhet, Helrunar and A Forest of Stars, some Detroit and Cleveland jokes, and a discussion of Dan’s stupid face!
All that and much, much more in Episode 42, so check it out!
Also available on:
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Live. Love. Plow. Horns Up.
Album Review: Helrunar – “Niederkunfft”
As everyone knows by now, I’ve more or less laid claim to all new releases hailing from Deutschland. This week brings yet another such release. The guys in Helrunar come to us from the North Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany (pffft….Dortmund fans) and have been challenging our ears with foreboding, pagan black metal since 2001. Four years removed from their last full length, Sól, they return to us in 2015 with the unsurprisingly dark Niederkunfft, and certainly do not disappoint.
Just the Tip: March 3’s New Releases in Brief
It’s new release Tuesday—time for another edition of Just the Tip! Here are the new releases we’ll be discussing on the podcast this week!
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March 3, 2015
Leviathan – Scar Sighted (Profound Lore)
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Sannhet – Revisionist (Flenser)
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Helrunar – Niederkunfft (Prophecy Productions)
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A Forest of Stars – Beware the Sword You Cannot See (Prophecy Productions)
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We’ll also have written reviews of these and other new releases here on the site throughout the week, but for now, take a listen and check back later this week for our spoken thoughts in Episode 42!
Other New Releases of Note:
- Negura Bunget – Tau (Prophecy Productions)
- Lamentations of the Ashen – Libertine Cyst (Fragile Branch)
- Triumvir Foul – An Oath of Blood and Fire(Godz of War / Third Eye Temple)
- Scorpions – Return to Forever (Sony)
- Hiram-Maxim – Hiram-Maxim (Aqualamb)
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