Album Review: Mære by Harakiri For The Sky

Editor’s Note: This album’s release date has been moved to February 19th, 2021 — exactly three years to the day since the band’s last album Arson was released. The black metal scene has a reputation for being purist and conservative. Over the last decade or so, however, more bands have begun to emerge who have fused elements… Continue reading Album Review: Mære by Harakiri For The Sky

Nikita’s 2020 Albums of the Year

by Nikita Alekseyevich Khrenov Absolutely sucked, no mistake about it. Going into this year I thought this list would be a cakewalk but as I started to revisit some of the records from the previous weeks, I was quickly overwhelmed by the sheer amount of quality music that was churned out. That being said, here… Continue reading Nikita’s 2020 Albums of the Year

Music I Liked in 2020

Certainly there was a lot not to like in 2020…  To avoid making a series of gross understatements, I’ll just leave that there. But along with a very positive development in my family life that should be arriving on The Scene in early 2021, there was a lot of great music that came out in… Continue reading Music I Liked in 2020

Track Premiere: “Seeking My Own Sun” by SVN.SEEKER

It feels good when any band entrusts this humble blog to premiere any track, but to share the FIRST single from the FIRST EP from an up-and-coming band in Alternative Control’s home state… It gives Ye Olde Editor that warm and gushy “heavy metal saved COVID Christmas” feeling. And if one song is going to… Continue reading Track Premiere: “Seeking My Own Sun” by SVN.SEEKER

EP Review: A Whisp of the Atlantic by SOILWORK

by Nikita Alekseyevich Khrenov As awful as 2020 has been to everyone, at least we have new music from Soilwork to ease the pain, even if it’s only momentarily. These guys have been cranking out high quality melodic death metal for over two decades and judging by this EP, they’re not slowing down anytime soon.… Continue reading EP Review: A Whisp of the Atlantic by SOILWORK

Nerd Talk with TOM DE WIT of TDW

Netherlands solo artist Tom de Wit chimes in for this in-depth Nerd Talk, discussing his favorite movie, book, and video game. De Wit is the mastermind behind the aptly titled project TDW, offering progressive metal with an avant garde flair. TDW will release the album The Days The Clock Stopped on December 4th, 2020. Check… Continue reading Nerd Talk with TOM DE WIT of TDW

TRACK PREMIERE: Alpha Boötis Covers “Every Breath You Take”

What we need more of in 2020 is feel-good synth music, and Canadian outfit Alpha Boötis delivers in spades with their cover of The Police’s classic tune “Every Breath You Take.” Their December 11th EP Stowaway Ants will feature two insanely catchy originals, plus this fun cover. Have a listen below! Stowaway Ants EP by… Continue reading TRACK PREMIERE: Alpha Boötis Covers “Every Breath You Take”