Mattowarrior's Metal Madness

In this installment of Mattowarrior's Metal Madness, we are going to not be reviewing a traditional “album” per se, but reviewing a soundcloud account with various songs, an EP if you will (reviewing songs). As the market increasingly (other than the vinyl resurgence) is oriented towards streaming, this may be the future of some of these reviews. The artist in question in Mike Brandon Band, is a band featuring the self described “greasy rocker/bluesman/songwriter”, Michael Brandon on guitar and vocals, Ethan Sawchyn on guitar, Jon Olcott on bass, and Scotty Roland on drums with numerous special guests littered throughout the songs. The first song I listened to was “Badlands”, since I am familiar with the Metal Church classic being one of my favorites, I said “why not”? Of course, this is not a cover of the song in question, but rather an original one, a countrified rockabillly-ish ditty with earnest but soulful vocals. It goes back and forth with this into a Southern Rock ...

The most controversial Metallica album is defended by yours truly!

Did this video awhile back- kind of speaks for itself!

Obsidian Tide are a band formed in 2012 in Tel Aviv, Israel. Their new album, Pillars of Creation, came out in August 2019, and is a concept album described as telling the "tale of a man who goes on a journey of enlightenment. On his journey, he witnesses riveting stories and learns horrible truths. Finally, he makes a bold choice to follow his conscience, and his choice changes..everything." (*Band Bio).  The album starts out with something that immediately made me think of bands like Opeth, Enslaved, country mates Orphaned Land or even Tool with it's weaving melodies and droning but complex riff pattern. This first song, the title track, weaves itself into the second one "Seven" which then in it's second half brings tribal drums and flutes into the mix and more estoeric and jazzy guitar patterns that almost remind one of prime era Pain of Salvation in a way. A cool breezy jam envelops the listener for the final stages of this song.  The next...