Amorphis – Queen of Time

Welcome to The Metal Alchemy!  I thought it would be appropriate for my first album review to come from the band that is the first entry in the Encyclopaedia Metallum, a valuable reference for Metal Heads everywhere.  Queen of Time is the Finn’s follow up to the amazing album Under the Red Cloud.

Wintersun Live in Salt Lake City

Finally!  I finally got to see Wintersun live.  It’s been a number of years and Jari and his crew’s schedule synched with mine.  Wintersun hit the Salt City on a cold, rainy Tuesday night and delivered the Metal goods to an enthusiastic crowd.  I was curious how the latest album, The Forest Seasons, would translate to the stage.

Dimmu Borgir – Eonian

Little did we know that 8 years would be how long we would last hear from Dimmu Borgir. Their tenth album, Eonian, like a fine wine, how has the band’s musical prowess aged all these years?

Therion – Beloved Antichrist

It’s extremely and I mean EXTREMELY rare when a release such as this makes its way to the masses. If you haven’t seen the concept, let alone the length of this album, you are in for a metal shocker. 

Beast In Black – Berserker

Sometimes when turmoil hits a band, the outcome can be disastrous. In this case, that’s quite the opposite… 

Paradise Lost – Medusa

Many consider them to be the pioneers of the death-doom and gothic metal scene. Thanks to them, many other acts have spawned and have gone to become some of our favorite bands. Next year marks three decades for them and yet they still crank out the metal to this day. 

Concert Review: Epica/Lacuna Coil/Insomnium @ The Forge

Joliet recently received some international attention with the appearance of metal acts, Insomnium, Lacuna Coil and Epica at The Forge (Formerly Mojoe’s / The Tree). Metal hailing from Finland, Italy and The Netherlands, the night was met with fierce energy both from the bands and the fans as the nearly sold out event took place this past week.

Cradle of Filth – Cryptoriana: The Seductiveness Of Decay

Cradle of Filth have been around for so many years and that’s stating the obvious. What’s not obvious is the contingency that the band upholds after all these years especially with their new album. 

Epica – The Solace System EP

I think it’s safe to say that Epica are one of the pioneers and possibly the Kings and Queen of symphonic metal. Their new EP, The Solace System, proves why that may be so while at the same time unleashing and outdoing themselves once again! 

Eluveitie – Evocation II – Pantheon

The kings of folk metal, Eluveitie, had experienced some turbulence over the past year or so. With their future in question, the return of the band is celebrated with their next release, fresh with immense new blood titled, Evocation II – Pantheon.