Igors Metal Blog

Requested submission.   Band: Ward XVI Album:   Metamorphosis Release date: September 25, 2020 Record label: Metal Rocka Recordings Genre: Horror, circus, shock rock From:  Whittingham, northern England, UK       Ward XVI consists of Psychoberrie - vocals and lyrics, Doctor von Stottenstei - guitars and Wolfy Huntsman - bass. For this release they are joined by John Badger – drums (ex-Impavidus) Martin Crawley - keys & accordion (SarifMusic), Anabelle Iratni – operatic vocals (Devilment), Russ Custard – guest vocals on “Shadows” (Footprints in the Custard), Chris Barton – voice acting as The Psychiatris on “Retrogression” and Steve Walker – voice acting as The Judge on “The Verdict”   If you are a fan of concept albums and songs that tell a story, this album is definitively for you. Already the the intro, which makes me think of one of the intros on the Operation Mindcrime album, sets the mood...

Reviewed for: The Metal Lab Band: Avory Release: Foundations / Wreck Release date: August 23, 2019 Record label: self released Genre: post-hardcore / alternative rock From: Nothingham, UK   Avory is a 4-piece formed in 2018 consisting of Zack Corden on vocals and bass guitar, Jack Elsome on Drums Drew Mangham-Dewhurst and Jamie Haffield on guitars. Foundations and Wreck is their second offering, having already released 2 songs in spring 2019.   The 2 songs sent to me for review, “Foundations” and “Wreck” are well composed and offer more complexities than mainstream rock, which would be the market Avory would have to compete in. The songs are mixed and polished, and would do well on mainstream radio. The mix is a bit too wet for my taste, and I think particularly the vocals would stand better out with less delay. Most of the vocals are quite mellow, which makes the shouting vocals in the middle of “Wreck” an interesting contrast.   Unlike traditional hardcore, here is more...