Author: Iron Mike

  • Rage Therapy – Thundergoat – Labyrinthian Scales – EP

    Iron Mike

    Setup In an era where a lot of bands are try-harding their way to sound like everyone else, this Wisconsin based 3-piece blur the lines between a multitude of subgenres and create a sound all their own. They dropped their debut single, Black Hole Coven, in early 2023, heralding the release of their full length… Read more

  • Show Recap – 04/09/2025 – Maul, Windchime, Wanderer, Spinal Fluid @ Flying V – MPLS

    Iron Mike

    Show Review by Æræder Wednesday April 9th – Maul, Windchimes, Wanderer, Bound By Unity, Spinal Fluid Doors 5pm, Music 6pm. $12 cover Venue Flying V is a fairly new venue. A 501(c)3 non profit focused on getting kids into music. Interesting concept; check the website out! It’s not far off 35W, and has a fairly… Read more

  • Rage Therapy – Enigmatus I demo

    Iron Mike

    Setup Matt Schrampfer, bassist of local death metal killers, Begravement, started posting about the launch of this band last year. He tossed up some quick phone vids of riffs and such he was working on for the band and I was immediately hooked. If you aren’t familiar with Begravement, you need to be. Extremely talented… Read more

  • 21 Spins: Echoes of the Fallen – Singles – “Cease to Exist” / “Ghosts of Agony”

    Iron Mike

    After listening to these over 21 times since the “Ghosts” release, here are my takeaways: Sound/Mix The mix and balance is good, but there was a more I picked up on using higher quality speakers… which I suppose does not need to be stated. But I’m stating it because I felt I could hear a… Read more

  • Show Recap – 04/05/2025 – Lungs, Cobra Czar, Cymothoa and Tiger Blue @ Zhora Darling

    Iron Mike

    Venue Zhora Darling is the shit. I have been there a couple times now, and every time I have been impressed and excited to go back. A good chunk of bar/restaurant space at the front, and a decent sized live music room in the back with a great ambiance for metal. A small, but fairly… Read more

  • 21 Spins: Red Vinter – EP – Into the Deep – by Æræder

    Iron Mike

    After listening to these over 21 times since release, here are my takeaways: Sound/Mix This recording is high quality. Small, cheap smart screen speakers, headphones, mid level portables, stock vehicle speakers, higher end sound bars; the essence of each tunes’ energy comes across on all just fine. The stereo type elements stood out to me… Read more

  • Rage Therapy – Sabot: Castration ep

    Iron Mike

    Setup Pretty sure I discovered Sabot through Rob Hammer’s Doom-centric Facebook page a few years ago. With no idea they were local, I dredged through their songs on the daily for weeks before digging deeper. Upon realizing they hail(ed) from St. Paul, I had to go see them.  Unfortunately, a few days before the gig,… Read more

  • Rage Therapy – Caustic Abyss: Eternal Winter Crypt

    Iron Mike

    Setup The name of this band grabbed me before the album came out. Probably because it reminded me of Caustic Affliction, who knows. I also love getting in on the ground floor with cool stuff, and a new pro-caliber extreme metal band ticks that box for sure. After hearing some on social media I was… Read more

  • 21 Spins – Pursuit: Earth Created Humans Because It Wanted Plastic (EP)

    Iron Mike

    Sound/Mix The sound/mix is solid all around. I listened to this on headphones, in my truck, and on a small Wonderboom portable (Due to some illnesses and work schedules, I was not able to crank it on our Vizio M21D, but, I think that is OK). In the truck and on headphones the depth and… Read more