Reviews

Coronation of the Grotesque

Castrator

This is brutality with purpose, groove with venom, and death metal with a spine of steel

6EQUJ5

Aeons

When I think the possibilities of alien life, it always excites me, and the Fermi Paradox comes to mind. I maintain that given the trillions of starts in our galaxy, and the trillions of galaxies in the universe, alien life is a mathematical certainty. The album’s journey reflects these themes, together with sophisticated songwriting, outstanding musicianship, and complexity. Perhaps its greatest strength however is how well the band ties these things together, into a cohesive whole, that the listener can reach out and grab.

Receptor

Dissona

The album isn’t just about showing off technical prowess, though there is no shortage of dexterous riffing, polymetric drumming, and intricate bass lines. The technicality exists as a vessel that is built to carry an immense weight of melody and emotion. But there is no denying the sheer technical command on display. Time signatures bend and fold like metal under heat, solos uncoil with jaw-dropping fluidity, and the rhythm section acts like a living machine, precise but never mechanical. The virtuosity never loses its human touch; you can feel the sweat and soul behind the notes. It’s music that pushes forward intellectually, but also pierces inward spiritually.

The Mind’s Eternal Storm

Echoes of Gloom

Overall, this was an enjoyable album, and considering it was all made by just one artist makes it that much better. It was in the vein of traditional Black Metal, but Dan kept things fresh with elements of Doom and even some atmospheric passages. This was a promising debut album and a band to keep an eye on.

Desolate Devine

Proscription

A behemoth of woe? Indeed. The riffs lumber forward like an unstoppable giant, each note dragging with it the heaviness of a world undone. The atmosphere is colossal, suffocating in its scale, and the vocals echo with the cries of something ancient and eternal, less a performance than an invocation of loss itself. For me, it’s a reminder that behind the monster of despair lurks the very real weight of lived pain.

Decadence of Ego

Chelmno

Black Metal purists may like this album. I understand where the FWOBM sound came from, and why it formed, but I am more of a fan of the expansive fans in the genre and what they are doing today. This just feels like a few steps back into time for me, and I say, let the past stay in the past.

Red

Banderstadt

BANDERSTADT is able to give you quite varied and good quality songs that have depth, are full of soul but in the end are pure Metal that moves, that enthrals the way it should. The Folk aspects in the music add a beautiful layer that has me very much in awe of “Red” as an album and therefore with BANDERSTADT as a band.

-0- The Genesis

Crimson Coven

Even though there isn’t an original note or lyrical line to be found on “-0- The Genesis”, I can’t help but enjoy what CRIMSON COVEN has put out. But as the songs are quite lengthy, give them time to grow on you.

The Real Thing

Exiled

, “The Real Thing” is a very solid and worthwhile effort by EXILED. I now am wondering how these guys sound live, as this is the kind of music that should do better in a live setting than in a studio. Let’s hope we get the chance to find out.

Primeval Cult Of Strength In The Womb Of Suffer

Kingdom

Even though most of the time you can’t understand what Death Metal bands are grunting about, KINGDOM makes it even harder by using their mother tongue when vomiting their lyrics through my speakers. And I applaud that, as it does make it easier for the artist to properly express what they intend to say. Or in this case, grunt.

He Who Kills

Monoliyth

“He Who Kills” is Brutal Death Metal, but still houses a lot of those small moments of subtlety, even if they sometimes only last a second. And I am glad they have done that, as it gives the Death Metal attack on the senses a little more depth, a tiny amount of emotion that isn’t rage, anger or violence.

Destroying Ourselves for a Place in the Sun

Modder

Overall, this was an absolutely crushing album. Even without vocals, the point was easily made. They took whatever ingredients they could find, crushed them endlessly, until they dissolved into the stew with one stir. As I mentioned above, there is heavy, and then there is MODDER.

Plagued With Violence

Terrordome

TERRORDOME deliver Thrash Metal at high quality. “Plagued With Violence” is utter madness, fast as hell, aggressive, and intense

Unholy Retribution

Violator

“Unholy Retribution” includes the best what Thrash Metal can offer: pace, aggression, intensity, flesh-ripping guitar riffs, chilling melodies, and cool lead guitar solos

The Cult of Kariba

Carach Angren

Some might call this overly produced and overly calculated Black Metal, but I call it an excellent representation of what the genre can offer to fans. At its most primal, the cold, aggressive bite is deep, and at its most ambitious, it is as vast as the ocean. Come and take a trip into the tale and become immersed in its bloody claws.

Ved Veis Ende

Brotthogg

This was a fantastic listening experience. The band combined the best of the dark and aggressive tones of Black Metal but with absolutely intricate guitar work that suggests a higher understanding of music. The contentious tones are as towering as mountain peaks, and the Progressive leanings bite with the fangs of a sabre toothed tiger. Both of these worlds collide here on “Ved Veis Ende.”

No Fear of Drowning

Bakelit

For me, even by the end of the album it’s mystique continued. It’s the kind of sound that doesn’t wrap things up for the listener, but instead, leaves a lot of ambiguity for you to decide for yourself.

Miasmatic Deathless Chamber

Demiurgon

And even though the music on “Miasmatic Deathless Chamber” is so encroaching and effective in heaviness and intensity, you never get the feeling that DEMIURGON is overdoing it, is playing above or out of their league. You always have the sensation that they are well within their comfort zone.

Chosen

Glenn Hughes

The quality of his voice is as strong as it ever was. He still has the power to make the music come out stronger than it originally is. And he is still able to make it sound like a piece of cake when he opens that mouth if his and starts making the right noises.

Rebel Angels Rise

Hunter

I have really enjoyed listening to HUNTER on “Rebel Angels Rise”, as it invigorates my own enthusiasm for traditional Heavy Metal.

Addicted to Power

Nefarious

Thrash Metal is the main ingredient that NEFARIOUS uses to mark their music. but it is not all they use. Nope, you will also get regular Heavy Metal mixed in, but in a way that the Thrash Metal title used will stay upright through it all.

Wild Dogs Unchained

The Rods

Their eleventh album “Wild Dogs Unchained” hit the streets on 5 September 2025, just one year after the latest one, which is quite fast in today’s market. And again, there is enough to enjoy. In the 52:38 minutes that THE RODS fire their brand of Heavy metal at you there is no choice. You either love what they do, or it just doesn’t rock your boat.

Vattenkrafternas Spel

Vintersorg

What Vintersorg always had a good knack for is writing good songs that really fit what he is trying to say. And I can tell you that on “Vattenkrafternas Spel” he has been able to do that once again, giving VINERSORG another strong piece of slab with which they hopefully be able to conquer even more souls than they have until now.

Lente Viviente

Little King

Overall, this band showcased a sophisticated sense of melodies that were not overly complicated, but easy to assimilate as well. Not being familiar with them, I am surprised to learn of their longevity, and you wouldn’t know this was their eight album, because the drive and fire in them is very much alive in their music.

Close Your Eyes

Liv Sin

Liv Sin is a female fronted Swedish metal band who were formed in 2016 by […]

Ruler Of The Wolves

Hunger

A new name rises from the underground Hunger who hail from Seville in Spain. Featuring […]

Sundrung

Nexion

Overall, this album was an absolute terror of an offering. From the first notes, through the last, they painted a picture of the entire world burning and people with it. Some were burned to death, others were reduced to ash. Through it all, their screams are what will stay with you through the end of your days.

Undending Confluence

Kamra

Overall, this was a devastatingly devious album that took full advantage of all the things that Black Metal can offer. At its core, it was evil, but unlike the void, it was fully alive. The harrowing feeling it gave me may have turned my hair white.

Cosmocrator

KHNVN

And using influences from the past, this act created a great Death Metal release.

Acts of Blood

Fermento

These veterans are still worthy of being heard, and this excellent release is a Death/Black Metal 'muts have' item.

Doomed

Defacement

If you're want to understand what means to be an Avant-garde Death/Black Metal band, you must to hear to this release!

March of the Cadavers (40 Years of Death Metal from the Grave)

Deceased

The Death Metal Zombies are celebrating their birthday, but the gift is yours in this release!!!!

Hell Inside

Cordyceps

A great 'out-of-the-box' Brutal Death Metal release!

Bruxist

This Australian trio unleashes its furious mix between D-Beat and Death Metal in a personal and great way!

Loathe for Life

Voidlurker

Through just four songs, this album was memorable for me, and I found it exactly as described…dirty, no filthy, black, and it pulls no punches. Sometimes, I tend to find the lack of diversity as a weakness on the album, but here, I revel in it. It’s just the kind of ass-whooping I was in need of today.

The Aquarius Shift

Kaptain Kollnot

Michigan’s Kaptain Kollnot returns with a fourth independent release The Aquarius Shift, an ambitious 4 […]

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Reviews

Coronation of the Grotesque

Castrator

6EQUJ5

Aeons

Receptor

Dissona

The Mind’s Eternal Storm

Echoes of Gloom

Desolate Devine

Proscription

Decadence of Ego

Chelmno

Red

Banderstadt

-0- The Genesis

Crimson Coven

The Real Thing

Exiled

Primeval Cult Of Strength In The Womb Of Suffer

Kingdom

He Who Kills

Monoliyth

Destroying Ourselves for a Place in the Sun

Modder

Plagued With Violence

Terrordome

Unholy Retribution

Violator

The Cult of Kariba

Carach Angren

Ved Veis Ende

Brotthogg

No Fear of Drowning

Bakelit

Miasmatic Deathless Chamber

Demiurgon

Chosen

Glenn Hughes

Rebel Angels Rise

Hunter

Addicted to Power

Nefarious

Wild Dogs Unchained

The Rods

Vattenkrafternas Spel

Vintersorg

Lente Viviente

Little King

Close Your Eyes

Liv Sin

Ruler Of The Wolves

Hunger

Sundrung

Nexion

Undending Confluence

Kamra

Cosmocrator

KHNVN

Acts of Blood

Fermento

Doomed

Defacement

March of the Cadavers (40 Years of Death Metal from the Grave)

Deceased

Hell Inside

Cordyceps

Bruxist

Bruxist

Loathe for Life

Voidlurker

The Aquarius Shift

Kaptain Kollnot

Latest Reviews

Bleed For It

Thunderor

Flora