The Miserable Metal Mind Podcast

Now a vehicle for Ofnus singer Will Philpott rather than a going concern, Blessed Brân, Son of The Sea is the latest release and another example of the creativity that lurks within so many in the underground scene.  Black Pyre formed in 2017 and became prominent in the UK Black Metal scene, creating a buzz with their rudimentary 2019 Forbidden Tomes EP, through to their Winter Solstice debut which really upped the quality. Demands on time and other projects saw them ease into hiatus, although Philpott has continued to make music under the Black Pyre banner.  Drawing deep on Welsh heritage and mythology, Blessed Brân, Son of The Sea is an interesting album with some stirring highlights. The album explodes into life with opener Until I Perish, a repeated chilling riff and guttural vocals the highlights. It’s the title track that really increases the temperature, with a ferocious tempo, fiery drums and a classic mid-section move to Opeth style haunting atmospherics as the tale of Brân

It’s a cool evening in the Welsh Capital as a band who are rapidly arriving at their 30th anniversary arrive at the start of the UK leg of the Bleed Out Tour.  Within Temptation are one of the biggest symphonic metal bands of all time, probably sitting in the big three alongside Nightwish and Epica. Over the years the band has proved to be worthy of arena headline slots, as well as high billings at festivals across Europe. This is a band who have headlined Bloodstock remember, putting them on a par with Megadeth, Gojira, Parkway Drive and Ghost. It's somewhat surprising then, that the Utilita Arena in Cardiff is probably only half full when the Dutch outfit hit the stage. But for those that have chosen to attend, it’s a treat for the band pull out every stop in a 90-minute performance that wows with a hugely impressive and massive stage show that supports a wisely curated set list which draws from 2023’s Bleed Out as well as a mix of fan favourites from the band’s impressive cata

What a night of metal at O2 Academy Islington! I got there quite early as I’ve made the mistake of turning up half an hour after doors before, when there have been four bands on and caught the last song of the first band. The venue was around half full when first act, Germans Hiraes took to the stage, and the people that were not there missed a treat.  A rousing synth intro gave way to blast beats from drummer Mathias Blässe, and Britta Görtz let loose a vocal that sounded like Zed Yago mixed with Arch Enemy. This was heavy stuff, with quick frenetic energy crackling around the venue, as Through the Storm was belted out, and they embarked on a five-song set. There were some great little guitar motifs and dual parts from Oliver Kirchner and Lukas Kerk, especially in About Lies .  The bass from Christian Wösten was driving solidly and the tone was good. The band looked like they were really having fun, and Britta truly engaged with the audience, as well as getting off the stage into

Let the six hours of sodomy begin. No no it's not a casual Saturday night around my house, nor is it a tiptoe tour of the dark Web. It is in fact the 40th anniversary release of Sodom's 1992 classic album Tapping the Vein .   As you would expect, the album gets a new coat of paint with a remaster and rejig. It doesn't lose any of its charm nor is it particularly enhanced by the digital remaster, but it's always nice to hear a new spin on an old classic.   A weird place for thrash metal in 1992,even weirder if you're a thrash metal band from Germany but thanks to the Fatherland for keeping the thrash alive. Sodom have a massive massive debt of gratitude to their homeland. But as Tom 'Angelripper' said in a recent interview with Decibel magazine, " We just decided to make music for Sodom fans. Lots of bands changed in the early 90s and got more commercial. We wanted to make heavy metal music and didn’t care if it was successful. Some people say this is a

For many men of a certain age, Doro Pesch was a poster girl for heavy metal women, myself included. Over her 40 years career, she has consistently released albums, (19 so far), between former band Warlock and under the Doro banner.  They have been, if I am honest, been variable in quality, but the Metal Queen has stayed true to her rock/ metal roots throughout, albeit with the occasional foray into country and ballads.  So, after 2023's Conqueress- Forever Strong And Proud , she brings us a Christmas song, Rock 'n' Roll Christmas Party , and some might wish she hadn’t. The first thing you notice is that her voice is as strong as ever, a bit deeper and huskier, but still definitively Doro. The music is typically heavy rock with a nice solo,  the lyrics are trite and clichéd, "Rock 'n' Roll Christmas Party with metal and wine" for example, but overall it’s a fun bit of fluff.  Doro says " It's a great song to celebrate this special time of the year

It’s fair to say there is more than a little excitement surrounding this release. The excitement revolves around the fact this band are capable of writing some of the heaviest riffs and music on the planet, and we all hoped this continues to be the case.  This is the band’s first release since The Wretch in 2011. It’s a powerful drum beat that leads into the doomy riff of the first track, Embrace the Lie . The riff shines and eases any worries, it’s a monstrously heavy tune. Slow, menacing and powerful. The baseline on the second track paints a solid path for the riffs to travel and when the main riff of We Are Perdition kicks in, the listener's head is compelled to bob along in time. This music is heavy and surrounded in heft and atmosphere.  The chunky tunes roll along until a soaring guitar solo ride over the doom, leaving a joyful feeling. These Indiana doom merchants are living up to their legend moniker, a term well-deserved. Since The Gates of Slumber one man conception i