★★☆☆ The debut album from this talented instrumental supergroup is turgid with virtuosic excellence, letting loose an unfettered stream of steaming self-indulgence. Analogies to pissing notwithstanding, it’s definitely an entertaining ride, but almost impossible to remember once the ride is over. See the rest here
★★☆☆ Delightfully uncomplicated thrash, with a hint of Slayeresque sensibilities. This isn’t going to make it to the New York Times Book Review, but it is going to get your head to bob. See the rest here
★★☆☆ This album is a bit of a headscratcher. When it’s working, it’s a fairly interesting bit of jazz metal. Other times, it sounds like a djenty Papa Roach. See the rest here
You have to watch the whole video for maximum effect.
★★★☆ I liked this a lot more than I thought I would. Imagine black metal done by Opeth, and you wouldn’t be far off the mark. There’s just enough progressiveness to keep things interesting, but also enough doom to haunt your nightmares. Absolutely a must-listen, especially if you’re not a dyed-in-the-wool lover of black metal. See the rest here
★☆☆☆ This is pretty much exactly a Hungarian version of Sepultura’s “Roots”… but with crappier vocals. It’s worth hearing, if only to marvel at just what a shameless knockoff it is. See the rest here
★★☆☆ Fairly solid grindcore that’s not terribly complicated, but also not entirely memorable. Worth a listen, but only just one. Still, I can’t complain. See the rest here
☆☆☆☆ This is an unholy amalgam of the worst parts of the worst things in music, equal parts David Draiman, Biohazard, dancehall, dubstep, and Kanye West at his laziest. Listening to this whole album was a true test of my fortitude, and I kinda hate you all a little more now for being even remotely complicit in my shame. See the rest here
★★☆☆ This is a pretty solid bit of melodic death metal. It’s not particularly special or innovative or memorable in its own right. But it evokes enough Soilwork and Amon Amarth that I wouldn’t kick it out of bed right away. See the rest here
Now that the dust of the Fifth Annual Arsies has settled, I can take an unvarnished look back on 2013, listing possible trends, and making the case for its classification as a watershed year for metal. See the rest here
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