Metal Reviews

I listened to the new Grand Magus a couple of times last night. I was pretty messed up but here are some thoughts: it's more mainstream. it doesn't have near the "true" metal or doom or traditional trappings of Iron Will. However, interestingly, there are some proggish tendencies here and there. There are a few tracks that would be right at home on some older Grand Magus albums. At first, I was disappointed, but I started getting into it. I think it's gonna grow into a great album, but it's no Iron Will. Anyone else get a chance to listen to it? Have some thoughts?

I haven't heard it, but I'm less impressed by this band in general than most people seem to be. I like them, and will check this out though. How mainstream are we talking, The Sword?

This is Zad, by the way, nice to see you on the forum.

Well, the vocals are less stylized, less bombastic and also seem to almost be in a lower register, ie, more mainstream. I would say the guitar is a little less overdriven, with a little less squelch. It's nothing crazy, but I think it's quite noticeable. Now, that is not to say it's a bad thing. I am enjoying the record quite a lot. I just listened to it again this morning. It doesn't quite soar or boom like Iron Will, though, and if you stand it next to any of the pre-Iron Will albums, it will seem an even more stark departure.

I'm a little disappointed with this one. I loved all previous GM releases and I think this one doesn't display the same level of inspiration. Still a good album but not up to GM's past.

I will review the fucker when I have the time. THe songs I've heard so far has been killer, and I think I'll like it. They've been changing distinctly since their debut, so if they've completely let go of their doom metal roots on this one, it doesn't surprise me the least. They are much better as a heavy metal band anyway.

I disagree. They were better when they were a doom influenced heavy metal band than now.

If by that you mean that they where best on Iron Will, I agree with you. Gonna have to listen to Hammer of the North before saying anything about it.

You do that and it's indeed what I meant.

Okay, don't see what is so bad about this. Did they get more mainstream just because they got more heavy and less doom? There's a bunch of slow or at least mid-paced stuff here that crushes like a motherfucker, and the vocals are great. I agree that this is no Iron Will though. Not yet at least for me.

This comes out here in 3 days I think. Pretty psyched for that, so I think I'll wait till the official release and pick it up.

I much prefer Heavy over Doom so maybe i'll be the odd guy out on this one. Thoughts to follow eventually!

This was actually the first Grand Magus(and only once I've still) heard and it's I was a bit surprised when I was reading that they were a doom influenced band. You wouldn't know by this album.