Author: Metal Storm
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A History of Riverside
Riverside, a Polish progressive rock and metal band, has earned a reputation as one of the most innovative and emotive acts in the progressive music scene. Formed in 2001 in Warsaw, the band’s evocative blend of progressive metal, rock, and atmospheric textures has captured the hearts of fans worldwide. Their discography chronicles an evolution marked…
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A History of Kerrigan
Kerrigan, a German heavy metal band from Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Württemberg, emerged in 2020, quickly establishing themselves within the traditional heavy metal scene. The band was founded by Jonas Weber and Bruno Schotten, both of whom are also members of the funeral doom band Lone Wanderer. Their collaboration in Kerrigan marked a departure from their…
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A History of Miserere Luminis
Miserere Luminis is a Canadian atmospheric black metal band formed in 2008 as a collaboration between members of two prominent acts from Quebec’s underground metal scene: Gris and Sombres Forêts. The lineup features Neptune (guitar, bass, piano, saxophone, lyrics) and Icare (drums, vocals, strings) from Gris, alongside Annatar (guitar, vocals) from Sombres Forêts. Their music…
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A History of Wolvennest
Wolvennest, also known as WLVNNST, is an experimental psychedelic black metal band hailing from Brussels, Belgium. Formed in 2015, the group has carved a unique niche in the metal scene by blending elements of black metal, ambient, and psychedelic music to create a distinctive sound that explores themes of occultism and rituals. Formation and Early…
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Trichomoniasis – Makeshift Crematoria
California-based brutal death metal outfit Trichomoniasis unleash sonic warfare with their debut full-length, “Makeshift Crematoria.” This album is not for the faint of heart. It’s a relentless assault on the senses, a cacophony of blast beats, guttural vocals, and discordant riffs that push the boundaries of extreme metal. Track-by-Track Carnage: Verdict: A Brutal Masterpiece (But…
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Pyramaze – Bloodlines
Danish melodic metal outfit Pyramaze returns with their eighth studio album, “Bloodlines.” This offering finds the band revisiting their earlier sound while incorporating elements that have defined their more recent work. The result is a collection of catchy hooks, soaring vocals, and intricate musicianship that is sure to please fans of the genre. Track-by-Track: Verdict:…
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Fortíð – Narkissos
Icelandic black metal veterans Fortíð return with their seventh full-length album, “Narkissos.” This concept record delves into the depths of malignant narcissism, offering a stark exploration of the destructive nature of self-absorption. Musically, the album finds Fortíð blending their signature black metal assault with elements of pagan and folk metal, creating a soundscape that is…
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Endstille – DetoNation
German black metallers Endstille return to the fray after a ten-year hiatus with “DetoNation,” an album that wastes no time reminding fans why they’re a force to be reckoned with in the genre. This offering finds the band revisiting their signature sound – a potent blend of raw aggression and surprisingly catchy melodies – while…
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Left Cross – Upon Desecrated Altars
Richmond, Virginia’s Left Cross returns with their sophomore album, “Upon Desecrated Altars,” a brutal and uncompromising assault on the senses. This record sees the band refine their sound, channeling the raw energy of early death metal into a tightly focused and undeniably punishing listening experience. Track-by-Track: Verdict: “Upon Desecrated Altars” is a triumph for Left…
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Theophonos – Nightmare Visions
Theophonos unleashes a sonic hurricane with “Nightmare Visions,” a genre-bending exploration of blackened hardcore. This album throws elements of black metal, mathcore, and post-hardcore into a churning vortex, creating a listening experience that is both challenging and ultimately rewarding. Track-by-Track: Verdict: “Nightmare Visions” is not for the faint of heart. It’s a challenging and confrontational…
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Mizmor – Prosiac
A.L.N., the mastermind behind the one-man black metal project Mizmor, returns with “Prosaic,” a departure from the band’s usual conceptual narratives. This album focuses on delivering pure, unadulterated black metal fury in a concise and focused package. Track-by-Track: Verdict: “Prosaic” is a triumph for Mizmor. While lacking the complex narratives of previous albums, it delivers…
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Dawn Ray’d – To Know the Light
Liverpool’s Dawn Ray’d return with “To Know the Light,” an album that pushes the boundaries of their signature RABM (Red and Anarchist Black Metal) sound. This record is a potent blend of black metal aggression, folk melodies, and socially conscious lyrics, making for a truly unique and thought-provoking listening experience. Track-by-Track: Verdict: “To Know the…
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Werewolves – My Enemies Look and Sound Like Me
Werewolves unleash a sonic hurricane with their latest offering, “My Enemies Look and Sound Like Me.” This album is a brutal and uncompromising exploration of extreme metal, blending elements of black and death metal into a ferocious assault on the senses. Track-by-Track: Verdict: “My Enemies Look and Sound Like Me” is not for the faint…
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Invultation – Feral Legion
Invultation returns with “Feral Legion,” an album that wastes no time in reminding us why they’re considered a force to be reckoned with in the realm of old-school death metal. This ten-track monstrosity is a masterclass in pulverizing riffs, guttural vocals, and an atmosphere that’s both bleak and strangely captivating. Track-by-Track: Remaining Tracks: The second…
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Morokh – Insomnia
Moscow’s Morokh unleashes a blistering assault on the senses with their latest album, “Insomnia.” Gone are the traces of hardcore influence that lingered in their earlier works. Here, Morokh embraces a full-fledged black metal assault, drawing upon the genre’s wellspring of fury and despair while showcasing impressive dynamism and songwriting. Track-by-Track: Verdict: “Insomnia” is a…
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Ascendency – A Manifest of Imperious Destiny
Ascendency, a rising force in the Danish black metal scene, unleashes their debut EP, “A Manifest of Imperious Destiny.” This offering promises a blistering exploration of the genre’s more extreme territories, blending elements of black and death metal with a touch of icy atmosphere. Does “A Manifest of Imperious Destiny” herald the arrival of a…
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Prong – State of Emergency
Prong, the industrial metal pioneers led by the ever-outspoken Tommy Victor, return with a vengeance on their eleventh studio album, “State of Emergency.” This offering promises a potent blend of Prong’s signature thrash metal attack with modern industrial influences. Does “State of Emergency” prove Prong’s relevance in today’s metal scene, or is it a retread…
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KK’s Priest – The Sinner Rides Again
KK’s Priest, fronted by former Judas Priest guitarist KK Downing and vocalist Tim “Ripper” Owens, returns with their second studio album, “The Sinner Rides Again.” This offering promises a continuation of the band’s brand of traditional heavy metal, heavily influenced by Downing’s time with Judas Priest. Does “The Sinner Rides Again” recapture the magic of…
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Deiquisitor – Apotheosis
Danish death metal veterans Deiquisitor return from the sonic abyss with “Apotheosis,” their first full-length album in four years. This offering promises a pummeling exploration of the genre’s grimy underbelly, drawing inspiration from the early days of death metal. Does “Apotheosis” reignite the flames of old school brutality, or simply rehash past glories? Let’s delve…
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Cursebinder – Drifting
Polish black metal outfit Cursebinder sets sail on a melancholic voyage with their debut album, “Drifting.” This offering promises a departure from the raw aggression of traditional black metal, instead favoring an atmospheric and introspective approach. Does “Drifting” lull listeners into a captivating dreamscape or leave them adrift in a sea of monotony? Let’s unfurl…