Author: Metal Storm

French avant-garde black metallers Blut Aus Nord continue their descent into the abyss with “Disharmonium – Nahab,” the second installment of their ambitious “Disharmonium” trilogy. Released in August 2023, this album builds upon the foundation laid by its predecessor, “Disharmonium – Undreamable Abysses,” offering a harrowing exploration of cosmic horror and existential dread. But does…

Icelandic newcomers Sól Án Varma burst onto the scene in March 2024 with their self-titled debut album. This offering dives headfirst into the realm of atmospheric black metal, weaving a tapestry of icy melodies, melancholic soundscapes, and raw aggression. Let’s delve into whether “Sól Án Varma” is a promising debut or a derivative entry in…

In April 2023, thrash metal titans Metallica unleashed their highly anticipated twelfth studio album, “72 Seasons.” Following a seven-year gap since their previous release, “Hardwired… to Self-Destruct,” the album arrived with a sense of both excitement and trepidation. Would “72 Seasons” recapture the fire of their early work, or would it simply be another chapter…

Prolific black metal entity Lamp of Murmuur has returned with a vengeance in 2023. Their latest offering, “Saturnian Bloodstorm,” marks their third full-length album in just four years, solidifying their place as a driving force in the genre’s underground scene. But does “Saturnian Bloodstorm” simply adhere to the lo-fi black metal formula the band established,…

Greek black metal veterans Varathron returned in triumphant fashion in late 2023 with their eighth studio album, “The Crimson Temple.” Following a six-year hiatus, the band proves they haven’t lost a step, delivering an album that both honors their Hellenic black metal roots and explores fresh sonic territory. A Return to Form with a Twist…

California-based death metal outfit VoidCeremony established themselves as a force to be reckoned with on their 2020 debut, “Entropic Reflections Continuum: Dimensional Unravel.” Their latest offering, “Threads of Unknowing,” released in April 2023, builds upon that foundation, pushing the boundaries of the genre with a unique blend of technicality, atmosphere, and progressive songwriting. A Brutal…

Finnish melodic death metal outfit Kalmah returned to the scene in March 2023 with a self-titled album, marking their ninth studio effort. After a successful exploration of diverse influences in previous releases, Kalmah seems to be circling back to their core sound on this record. Let’s dive into whether “Kalmah” delivers a fresh take on…

Irish black/folk metal veterans Primordial unleashed their eighth studio album, “How It Ends,” in 2023. Shrouded in the question of whether it would be their final act, the album arrived with a sense of finality and introspection. Did “How It Ends” live up to the band’s legacy, or did it mark a whimper rather than…

Canadian traditional metal outfit Gatekeeper solidified their place among the genre’s modern vanguard with their 2023 release, “From Western Shores.” Following a promising debut album, the band returns with a record that critics hail as a powerful and immersive experience, brimming with classic metal spirit and contemporary songwriting prowess. “From Western Shores” wastes no time…

Finnish symphonic black metal outfit …And Oceans made a splash (pun intended) in 2023 with their critically acclaimed album “As in Gardens, So in Tombs.” Following a nearly two-decade hiatus, the band’s 2020 comeback album, “Cosmic World Mother,” was met with enthusiasm, and “As in Gardens, So in Tombs” proves to be a worthy successor.…

German doom metal veterans Ahab returned in 2023 with their fifth studio album, “The Coral Tombs,” a record that both honors their nautical doom roots and explores uncharted musical territories. Released in January of that year, the album drew praise for its thematic depth, musical experimentation, and overall heaviness. Taking inspiration from Jules Verne’s classic…

British heavy metal outfit Green Lung returns with their latest offering, “This Heathen Land,” a deep exploration into the mystical and folkloric tapestry of the United Kingdom. Released in November 2023, the album follows up on their critically acclaimed 2021 effort, “Black Harvest,” and pushes the band’s unique blend of doom, psychedelic, and traditional metal…

Greek heavy metal outfit Triumpher returned in 2023 with a forceful display of power on their album “Storming the Walls.” This release marked their second studio album and solidified their place in the new wave of traditional metal bands. The album strikes a balance between raw aggression and polished production. Reviews praise the tight musicianship,…

Buckle up, metalheads, because Afterbirth’s “In But Not Of” is not your typical death metal album. This unpredictable odyssey throws listeners headfirst into a swirling vortex of genre-bending brutality. From the opening salvo of “Devils With Dead Eyes” to the closing riffs of “Tightening The Screws,” Afterbirth establishes themselves as pioneers of experimental extreme metal.…

Xoth, the band known for their unique blend of extreme metal, returns with their third album, “Exogalactic,” a potent concoction that pushes the boundaries of the genre. Released in November 2023, “Exogalactic” is a further exploration of their signature sound, which seamlessly merges technical death metal, thrash, and black metal influences. The album wastes no…

New York death metal veterans Suffocation returned in force on November 3rd, 2023, with their ninth studio album, “Hymns from the Apocrypha.” This offering marks the band’s first foray with vocalist Ricky Myers, known for his drumming in the brutal death metal outfit Disgorge. Produced by Christian Donaldson (Shadow Of Intent, Ingested) and featuring appropriately…

Christian metal outfit Theocracy released their eighth studio album, Mosaic, on October 13, 2023, to praise from fans and critics alike. The album marks a return to the band’s signature sound, characterized by soaring vocals, galloping riffs, and intricate melodies. Mosaic’s title reflects its central theme: the way individual moments in life come together to…

British doom metal outfit Godthrymm returns with “Distortions,” their sophomore album and the second chapter in a planned trilogy by frontman Hamish Glencross. Released in August 2023, the record builds upon the foundation laid by their 2020 debut “Reflections,” offering a deeper exploration of melancholy and despair while hinting at a flicker of resilience. Featuring…

Cannibal Corpse, the undisputed kings of death metal, returned in 2023 with their sixteenth studio album, “Chaos Horrific,” further solidifying their reign of sonic terror. Released on September 22nd by Metal Blade Records, “Chaos Horrific” is a merciless display of the band’s signature brutality, showcasing their unrelenting riffs, guttural vocals, and nightmarish lyrical themes. Following…

Swedish symphonic power metal outfit Twilight Force unleashed their icy magic once more with their 2023 release, “At the Heart of Wintervale.” This, their fourth studio album, arrived on January 20th through Nuclear Blast, following up on the critical acclaim of 2019’s “Dawn of the Dragonstar.” True to Twilight Force’s style, “At the Heart of…