Album Review: Devastator – Fight or Die

Devastator – Fight or DieNovember 22nd, 2021Groove / Thrash MetalIndependently ReleasedSt. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada Coming as a complete surprise to everyone in the local metal scene of St. John’s, Newfoundland, local heavy legends Devastator released their third full length album, Fight or Die, with little to no buildup or anticipation on November 22nd …

Album Review: Bonginator – The Intergalactic Gorebong of Deathpot

Bonginator - The Intergalactic Gorebong of DeathpotApril 20th, 2023Death MetalBarbaric BrutalityBoston, Massachusetts, USA Long time no enthrallment folks, it’s me after all these years, Abraxas, the Reclaimer! You’ll notice that my tone and vocabulary has adapted significantly, for I am the 507th iteration, a much more adapted to the modern living that my predecessors looked …

Album Review: Oceanic – Trappist

Oceanic – TrappistJuly 6th, 2017Math Rock / Progressive RockIndependently ReleasedHalifax, Nova Scotia, Canada I first discovered Oceanic (sometimes stylized as O(eani( when they’re being really jealous of Sunn O))) ) in 2014 when they opened for Protest the Hero at a show in Corner Brook. I was so blown away by the complexity and catchiness …

Album Review: Emblem – Emblem

"Who will hear your applause?" Emblem – EmblemApril 15th, 2017Speed Metal / Traditional Heavy MetalIndependently ReleasedSt. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada Emblem is the newest band spearheaded by Newfoundland heavy metal alumnus Harry “Hawk Emblem” Clarke and, much like his previous band Fireign and other current project, Allagash, the debut release from this group of …

Album Review: Positronic Brain – Set Phasers to Thrash

Positronic Brain - Set Phasers to Thrash2016Thrash MetalIndependently ReleasedSt. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada When I’m searching for new music to upload to the Heavy NFLD YouTube channel one of my sources is the St. John’s tag on Bandcamp. As I was searching through the new arrivals on that tag I came across an album …

EP Review: Dendron – Glass Spire

Dendron - Glass SpireSeptember 16th, 2016Progressive MetalIndependently ReleasedSt. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada Dendron is a new name in the Newfoundland metal community but its members are anything but. Drummer Nathan Tizzard and guitarist and vocalist Peter Burton are both former members of the defunct Mount Pearl progressive metal band Silent November. Similarly, bassist Connor …

Album Review: Winterhearth – Resettlement

Winterhearth - ResettlementAugust 25th, 2016Blackened Death MetalIndependently ReleasedSt. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada Winterhearth is a name you’ve likely heard of if you’ve spent any amount of time in the St. John’s metal scene. The trio, consisting of guitarist and vocalist Andrew Marsh, bassist Robbie Butler and drummer Michael Small, have been active since 2013 …

EP Review: Ghost – Phantomime

"I've been talking to Jesus all my life." Ghost - PhantomimeMay 19th, 2023Heavy Metal / Hard RockLoma Vista RecordsLinkoping, Sweden Ghost are no stranger to the cover song. The band has released several EPs consisting entirely of cover songs over the years, with their first, If You Have Ghost, being one of my favourites. This …

Album Review: Avenged Sevenfold – Life is But a Dream…

Avenged Sevenfold - Life is But a Dream...June 2nd, 2023Avant-Garde Metal / Hard RockWarner Records Inc.Huntington Beach, California, USA I've had a rough history with Avenged Sevenfold. When I first was exposed to the band I thought they were shit because it seemed like no matter where I went I could not escape people talking …

EP Review: Wild Step – Wild Step

Wild Step – Wild StepOctober 31st, 2021Stoner / Doom MetalIndependently ReleasedHappy Valley Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada Wild Step is a brand new stoner and doom metal trio from the frigid northern wastes of Happy Valley-Goose Bay in Labrador. I know what you’re thinking, “a metal band from Labrador?” Well, yeah, believe it or …