Slacker
There are a whole lot of records that have been sitting on my iPod for far too long now. It's time to clear the docket.Ranger: Knights of Darkness (2013)
4 out of 5 stars
Ranger's Knights of Darkness will cause spontaneous horn-throwing. I'm not kidding. This is catchy speed metal, played with enthusiasm (a necessity) and competence (a nice touch), with loads of short solos and more than a few falsetto screams. If Venom could play their instruments back in 1982, they might have sounded like this.
Nails: Abandon All Life (2013)
4.5 out of 5 stars
Nails got a whole lot of attention for Unsilent Death, but Abandon All Life is even better. It's more of that ultra-heavy, grinding, vitriolic hardcore that occasionally slows down to a mid-tempo, which ultimately ends up creating the best parts.
Ancestors Blood: A Moment of Clarity (2013)
3.5 out of 5 stars
I've reviewed an EP from Ancestors Blood before (When the Forest Calls) and this is only slightly different. It leans a little further away from Viking metal toward black metal, because although the synths are still quite prominent, the rhythms are more black metal. In addition, the production is much more even this time, but the bass is not as loud in the mix, so that's a trade-off. Overall, I'd say this is a slight improvement, and you might even get treated to a short guitar solo. Sadly, despite the title, there's no Death cover.
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