Reviews

Where the Shadows Adorn

Mother of Graves

From Bandcamp, “Named after a mythological Latvian protector of cemeteries (Kapu māte), MOTHER OF GRAVES’ […]

The Return of the Frozen Souls

Ashtar

ASHTAR is a blackened doom metal band from Switzerland who formed in 2012. Their latest […]

Necessity of Unreal

Infernal Cult

All in all, INFERNAL CULT’s “Necessity of Unreal,” is a nice surprise so close to the end of the year. It’s familiar enough for fans of the genre to be accepting but unique enough to appeal to a wider audience.

Where Gods Live and Men Die

Capilla Ardiente

All in all, CAILLA ARDIENTE’s “Where Gods Live and Men Die,” is another win for the heavy underground scene of South America–and for anyone who likes melodic doom/heavy metal.

The Hedonist

A Mighty Forest Black

A MIGHTY FOREST BLACK is a band from Italy that has been described, and would […]

Hide From The Light

Camos

Demonic riffs from Brazil.

Stars 4 A Nite

Beautiful Loser

Not so Hard Rock from Italy.

Black Hole District

Monolithe

The band masterfully balances the crushing weight of Doom Metal with haunting, melancholic melodies that feel almost ethereal in their delicacy. The slow, deliberate tempo common in Doom is ever-present, creating a sense of impending dread that lingers throughout each track, but it's never overwhelming to the point of suffocation. The melodies serve as a lifeline, offering glimpses of light within the murky depths. This is an album where the heavy and the melodic entwine in a dance that feels both tragic and cathartic. It’s a testament to their ability to merge two seemingly opposing forces into a cohesive, stirring experience.

Beckoning Tribulations

Aberrator

This was a good album, but there is room for improvement. Besides the high level of control the band has on the album, which is noteworthy, the songs themselves are just too similar sounding. The band is talented as well. I would just like to have seen them take some more chances, because the groundwork is there, and they are capable of some surprises.

Absolute Elsewhere

Blood Incantation

The album delivers a stunning display of balance—an artful contrast of light and dark, chaos and control, both musical and existential. It masterfully balances aggression with melody, showcasing a rare ability to create harmonies that soar over deep, guttural growls and blistering guitar work, a testament to the band's technical prowess and deep understanding of composition. The pacing of the album is impeccable, transitioning seamlessly from relentless assaults to reflective, constantly in motion. With each listen, this balance becomes more profound, revealing layers of complexity and nuance that make it one of the most compelling metal releases of the year.

Wildfires

Rising Insane

Rising Insane are back with their fourth studio album "Wildfires". The album takes an in-depth […]

River Child

Anomalie

This was an excellent album that straddled both the Black Metal and Doom Metal genres very well, and there were balanced amounts of aggression, anger, melancholy, and despair. The more you listen, the more you will be swept away with the tide.

Warlords

Helevetets Port

Helevetets Port are a NWOTHM (New Wave Of Traditional Heavy Metal) band which come from […]

New Horizons

Skyeye

Great heavy metal knows no borders and comes from all parts of the world, as […]

Portal

Häxenzijrkell

This album had a slow start, but that ending song really dug deep into my soul. It opened up horrors I didn’t even know existed, and I shut that door firmly after the album was over.

The Blame Dagger

Nubivagant

First thing right off the bat before I summarize the album, is that you have to consider that the entire project was created by just one person, so keep that in mind. With that, the album just fell flat for me. The clean vocals were something different for sure, but I just don’t think they worked well enough with the music.

Necrocosmic Death Ritual

Dead Flesh Stigma

What started out partly as an ode to the forefathers of Black Metal transformed into some wider boundaries of evil and disease. The end product was quite well done, and the band was able to stretch boundaries while still holding true to the tenants that created the genre.

Stardust Sermons

Silvern

Overall, this was a good album. Although I heard more on the darker side of life than hope per se, it still achieved a nice balance. Many of the tones were aggressive and angry, in the way that you would want a Black Metal album to sound.

There Will Be No Peace In My Valley

Magnetar

The band is 100% right about one thing…people in power lose their shit at the prospect of losing said power. But us peasants suffer the consequences. I hear that fear reflected on the album very clearly. It’s aggressive when it needs to be, and solemn at other times.

End Of Time

Neptune

To call NEPTUNE just another power metal band does not do them justice. There is […]

Throw Down The Gauntlet

Amethyst

Swiss Iron Maiden

Heal (Reissue)

Sacred Reich

The North American Thrash Metal Beasts are back on this reissue! Listen to it!!! 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

Shattered Elysium

Triskelyon

For Thrash Metal fans, this album is a 'must have item.

Into the Nocturne

Sathanas

And after all these years, these veterans of Old School Thrash/Black/Death Metal are still relevant and teaching some lessons...

Paradis

Maybe this English Metalcore/Modern Metal band can be pointing to new horizons for the genre.

Somood

Ostoraton

This quartet is opening new possibilities mixing Oriental Metal, Melodic Death Metal and Progressive Death Metal elements!!! 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

Before Whom Evil Trembles

Apep

Prepare your ears for destruction when hearing to this great Death Metal release!

Of Amber and Sand

Kurokuma

They’re a band that’s very aware of the wavelength that they’re riding on, and the stark unison in which they play reflects their awareness and respect for each other.

Death Holograms

I, Cursed

And I still don’t know what I’ve listened to, but I’m glad it’s over.

Appetizer (Reissue)

Waxwing

Listening to the 2024 remaster/reissue of the 1988/1989 four-track EP Appetizer perfectly frames a band that not only “could’ve been,” they honestly “should’ve been.” There is no conceivable reason why this band couldn’t have been huge.

Facing the End

Apocryphal

Amazingly, this French band formed at around the same time as the Big Four of Melodeath in Sweden did. After so many years, one might expect a re-hash of old formulas, but the way they inject rich doses of melody into their music is key to sounding fresh. This is one that you won’t want to miss.

The Maldoror Chants: Old Ocean

Schammasch

This is an album that thrives on tension, playing with the spaces between light and shadow, and daring the listener to linger in those hauntingly bleak moments. The instrumentation is brooding and deliberate, with guitars that churn and swell like distant thunder, and drums that pulse with an ominous, almost ritualistic cadence. The melodies, though sometimes subtle, are laced with a melancholic beauty, creating a chilling contrast to the heaviness that dominates the album. What sets this album apart is its commitment to atmosphere. It’s as if the album itself is a living entity, drawing you further into its haunting world with each passing minute.

Necrodeist

Declared Dead

Belgium’s DECLARED DEAD presents their 2024 LP "Necrodeist", a collection that aims to blend the ferocity of black, death, and thrash metal into a cohesive whole. With ten years of experience under their belts, one might expect a more sophisticated compositional approach, yet much of this album feels like it’s still in the early stages of exploration. Each track has its merits, but the overall sound often lacks the depth and complexity that would elevate it to standout status.

I Erode

Laceration

US Windsor’s LACERATION unleashes their 2024 LP "I Erode", a punishing blend of death and thrash metal that carves deep into the listener's psyche. This album is a brutal offering, merging visceral aggression with fast sharp guitars, creating a dynamic experience that pushes the boundaries of both genres. "I Erode" is unapologetically intense, showcasing LACERATION’s ability to craft soundscapes that are both relentless and meticulously layered.

Untethered

Cober Mouth

COBER MOUTH claim to play Nu-Metalcore, whatever that may be. I suspect a combination between Nu Metal and Metalcore. If that is so, I can tell you that Nu-Metalcore is quite accurate.

Avenge The Fallen

HammerFall

HAMMERFALL is a legendary band who are put on a pedestal for a reason. “Avenge The Fallen,” further cements an already epic legacy. This is their best album in some time so current fans will be pleased but those who jumped shipped earlier will want to take this return voyage.

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Reviews

Where the Shadows Adorn

Mother of Graves

The Return of the Frozen Souls

Ashtar

Necessity of Unreal

Infernal Cult

Where Gods Live and Men Die

Capilla Ardiente

The Hedonist

A Mighty Forest Black

Hide From The Light

Camos

Stars 4 A Nite

Beautiful Loser

Black Hole District

Monolithe

Beckoning Tribulations

Aberrator

Absolute Elsewhere

Blood Incantation

Wildfires

Rising Insane

River Child

Anomalie

Warlords

Helevetets Port

New Horizons

Skyeye

Portal

Häxenzijrkell

The Blame Dagger

Nubivagant

Necrocosmic Death Ritual

Dead Flesh Stigma

Stardust Sermons

Silvern

There Will Be No Peace In My Valley

Magnetar

End Of Time

Neptune

Throw Down The Gauntlet

Amethyst

Heal (Reissue)

Sacred Reich

Shattered Elysium

Triskelyon

Into the Nocturne

Sathanas

Paradis

Paradis

Somood

Ostoraton

Before Whom Evil Trembles

Apep

Of Amber and Sand

Kurokuma

Death Holograms

I, Cursed

Appetizer (Reissue)

Waxwing

Facing the End

Apocryphal

The Maldoror Chants: Old Ocean

Schammasch

Necrodeist

Declared Dead

I Erode

Laceration

Untethered

Cober Mouth

Avenge The Fallen

HammerFall

Latest Reviews

Insoucient Metaphysical Granduer

Skjolden

A Funeral of Being