Nicholas Cleeve
After a childhood of listening to Linkin Park and Dragonforce I leapt into the world of having opinions about music and publishing them online. As a result, I mainly write about various genres of metal while keeping my HEALTH and Silversun Pickups worship to myself. In a constant cycle of searching for new music and relaxing with old favourites like comfort food.
Articles by Nicholas Cleeve
Instead of trying to compete in battles of heaviness Inherus have developed an expansive sound that will only gain in strength as they develop.
Nicholas Cleeve asked Trivium bassist Paolo Gregoletto a few questions about the inspirations and equipment behind their latest album ‘Silence in the Snow’.
What Trivium have produced here is an improved version of the development which the band have attempted before. Now they have the confidence and maturity to make it stick, the result is the best release in a long time from a band which continues to experiment deep into their career. – By Nicholas Cleeve
‘Mirror Unveiled’ is post-black metal at its best, but it is too firmly bound by the constraints of its genre to be an essential listen. – By Nicholas Cleeve
Despite its concept, ‘Haven’ is not the kind of aggressive statement you might expect from a metal band. Even more so than Nightwish’s latest, this is a symphonic and theatrical album first, which uses metal as scaffolding around its series of incredibly catchy choruses. – By Nicholas Cleeve
‘Land In Sight’ is well worth your time whether you’re attracted by its inspired version of power metal or the engaging stories it tells. At The Dawn unashamedly stands on the shoulders of their predecessors, but their inspirations are enriched with their own ideas, creating something which is impressive enough to stand out.
Ghost Bath have displayed an incredible creative vision which pays homage to Deafheaven and Alcest while remaining far more than just a product of its inspirations. – By Nicholas Cleeve
Skálmöld may be one of the lesser known bands in the Viking metal subgenre, but both their Icelandic blood and this album proves them more than worthy of its legacy. – By Nicholas Cleeve
Kintsugi is a disappointment. I can hear that hAND have a genuine passion for their craft so it’s upsetting that this is not a successful expression of it. Unfortunately, enthusiasm and the good taste that their inspirations demonstrate isn’t enough to make third album Kintsugi worthwhile. – By Nicholas Cleeve
Years of underground activity have paid off for Bloodshot Dawn with a genre shaking release that is easily the best melodeath album I’ve heard this year. – By Nicholas Cleeve
