Author: Metal Storm

Ruïm, the brainchild of black metal veteran Blasphemer (Mayhem, Aura Noir), unleashes a potent debut album, “Black Royal Spiritism – I​.​ O Sino da Igreja.” This offering transcends traditional black metal, weaving a tapestry of blistering aggression, haunting atmosphere, and unexpected melody. The album opens with the epic “Blood.Sacrifice.Enthronement,” a microcosm of Ruïm’s approach. The…

Jag Panzer, a titan of American heavy metal, has stormed back onto the scene with their latest offering, “The Hallowed,” released in June 2023. This album marks a powerful return to form, showcasing the band’s signature blend of soaring vocals, pummeling riffs, and epic storytelling. “The Hallowed” wastes no time in flexing its metallic muscle.…

Ulthar emerges from the cosmic void with “Helionomicon,” the second half of a monstrous two-album release alongside “Anthronomicon.” Both albums explore the vastness of space and the mysteries it holds, but “Helionomicon” takes a distinctly different approach. While “Anthronomicon” offered a more concise and direct onslaught of death metal brilliance, “Helionomicon” embraces a grander, more…

Japanese metal veterans Onmyo-za make a triumphant return after a nearly five-year hiatus with their latest album, “Ryūō Dōji.” This long-awaited release proves the wait was worth it, showcasing a band firing on all cylinders and refusing to be tamed by time. Fans familiar with Onmyo-za’s unique blend of traditional Japanese influences and heavy metal…

Los Angeles-based quintet Wings of Steel takes flight with their debut album, “Gates of Twilight.” This offering is a love letter to the golden age of heavy metal, brimming with soaring vocals, fist-pumping riffs, and a healthy dose of power metal theatricality. Does “Gates of Twilight” simply echo the past, or does it offer a…

Hailing from Leeds, UK, Pest Control unleashes a debut album, “Don’t Test the Pest,” that’s a potent cocktail of crossover thrash fury. This offering is a love letter to the genre’s golden age, brimming with breakneck tempos, mosh-worthy riffs, and a healthy dose of youthful aggression. Does “Don’t Test the Pest” simply retread familiar territory,…

Uada, the American atmospheric black metal outfit led by Jake Superchi, returns with their fourth album, “Crepuscule Natura.” This offering follows a period of growth and experimentation for the band, evident in the album’s polished production and a focus on melodic hooks alongside their signature darkness. Does “Crepuscule Natura” mark a successful evolution for Uada,…

Khanate, the legendary doom metal supergroup featuring Stephen O’Malley (Sunn O))), James Plotkin (OLD), Alan Dubin (Old Man Gloom), and Tim Wyskida (Blind Idiot God), returns after a fourteen-year hiatus with their earth-shattering album, “To Be Cruel.” This isn’t a mere comeback; it’s a pulverizing reminder of why Khanate remains a revered force in the…

Polish progressive rock veterans Riverside return with their tenth studio album, “ID.Entity.” Following a five-year hiatus, the band ventures into new sonic territory, exploring themes of self-discovery and the struggle to maintain a sense of identity in an increasingly digital world. Does “ID.Entity” mark a successful evolution for Riverside, or does it stray too far…

German traditional heavy metal outfit Kerrigan explodes onto the scene with their debut album, “Bloodmoon.” This offering is a love letter to the genre’s golden age, brimming with soaring vocals, fist-pumping riffs, and a healthy dose of youthful exuberance. Does “Bloodmoon” simply retread familiar territory, or does it breathe new life into the classic heavy…

Canadian atmospheric black metal outfit Miserere Luminis returns after a thirteen-year hiatus with their sophomore album, “Ordalie.” Following their critically acclaimed 2009 self-titled debut, “Ordalie” sees the band refine their sound, crafting a melancholic and immersive journey through despair and introspection. Does this long-awaited return live up to the legacy of their debut, or is…

Belgian psychedelic black metal act Wolvennest embarks on a new sonic odyssey with their third album, “The Dark Path Towards the Light.” This offering marks a significant departure from their previous work, venturing into more atmospheric and introspective territory. Does “The Dark Path Towards the Light” illuminate a new path for Wolvennest, or does it…

Weald & Woe, the American black metal outfit hailing from Boise, Idaho, returns with their sophomore album, “For the Good of the Realm.” This offering casts aside any doubts about their 2021 debut and establishes them as a force to be reckoned with in the realm of melodic black metal. “For the Good of the…

German progressive death metal outfit Alkaloid returns with “Numen,” their third full-length album. Following the critically acclaimed “Liquid Anatomy” (2018), “Numen” finds the band pushing the boundaries of the genre even further, with a dizzying blend of technical mastery, Lovecraftian influences, and moments of unexpected beauty. Does “Numen” solidify Alkaloid’s position as progressive death metal…

Warmen, the Finnish melodic death metal project led by keyboardist Janne Warman (Children of Bodom), returns with their sixth studio album, “Here for None.” This offering finds the band revisiting their signature blend of melodic death metal, neoclassical influences, and a dash of progressive flair. Does “Here for None” recapture the magic of Warmen’s earlier…

Owlbear explodes onto the scene with their debut album, “Chaos to the Realm,” a potent concoction of classic heavy metal influences served with a fresh and energetic twist. This isn’t a mere retread of past glories; it’s a celebration of the genre’s core tenets, delivered with a youthful exuberance and a touch of contemporary flair.…

Crypta, the all-female Brazilian death metal force, returns with their sophomore album, “Shades Of Sorrow.” Following their critically acclaimed 2021 debut, “Echoes of the Soul,” Crypta refines their sound on “Shades Of Sorrow,” delving deeper into the abyss of death metal with a denser soundscape, intricate songwriting, and a potent atmosphere of darkness and despair.…

Ebony Pendant explodes onto the scene with their self-titled debut album, a potent offering of raw black metal that revels in the genre’s grim aesthetics and blistering aggression. This isn’t black metal for the faint of heart; it’s a relentless assault on the senses, a descent into a world of lo-fi production, shrieking vocals, and…

Haken, the British progressive metal juggernauts, return with their sixth studio album, “Fauna.” Following the critically acclaimed “Vector” (2018), “Fauna” finds the band in a reflective mood, exploring a wider range of influences while retaining their signature blend of technical prowess and catchy songwriting. Does “Fauna” mark a successful evolution for Haken, or does it…