Category: Albums
-
Gorod Ascends to New Heights with Stellar Tech-Death Masterpiece, “The Orb”
French technical death metal outfit Gorod returns with their self-released 2023 album, “The Orb,” a record that pushes the boundaries of the genre while remaining grounded in their signature sound. Following up on the critically acclaimed “Æthra,” Gorod wastes no time showcasing their growth and continued evolution. “The Orb” is a masterclass in technical proficiency.…
-
Kruelty – Untopia: A Brutal Onslaught of Death-tinged Hardcore
Kruelty’s sophomore album, “Untopia,” isn’t for the faint of heart. This 2023 release is a relentless barrage of crushing riffs, guttural vocals, and pummeling drums, offering a potent blend of death metal and hardcore that will leave listeners breathless. From the opening moments of “Unknown Nightmare,” with its ominous intro and slamming breakdowns, it’s clear…
-
Tanith Takes You on a Heavy Rock Voyage Through Space and Self
Tanith’s latest album, “Voyage,” blasts off with a dual-pronged attack, wielding heavy rock riffs and soaring vocals that weave a tale of both cosmic exploration and inner discovery. Released in April 2023, the album finds the band, formed by a transatlantic collaboration between the UK and US, drawing inspiration from fantastical themes rather than dwelling…
-
Urfaust Unleashes a Haunting Farewell with “Untergang”
Dutch black metal duo Urfaust bid a melancholic farewell with their final album, “Untergang,” released in August 2023. This record marks the culmination of their two-decade exploration of the genre, weaving together elements of black metal, doom, and psychedelia into a cohesive and haunting soundscape. A Return to Raucous Roots: “Untergang” departs from the cleaner…
-
Ulthar Unleash Cosmic Horrors on “Anthronomicon”: A Descent into Blackened Death Metal Depths
Ulthar, the Californian black metal outfit known for their Lovecraftian themes and unrelenting sonic assault, return with “Anthronomicon,” a record that plunges listeners into the abyss of cosmic dread. Released in February 2023, it serves as the more “conventional” half of a two-album release alongside the experimental “Helionomicon.” A Familiar Yet Frenzied Formula: “Anthronomicon” wastes…
-
Iron Savior Returns Ablaze with “Firestar”: A Celebration of Teutonic Power Metal Glory
German power metal veterans Iron Savior erupt once more with their 14th studio album, “Firestar,” released in October 2023. This fiery record finds the band in top form, delivering a potent blend of their signature sound – soaring vocals, galloping rhythms, and fist-pumping anthems – with a few unexpected twists and turns. A Familiar Formula,…
-
Flight Takes Flight with “Echoes of Journeys Past”
Swedish traditional heavy metal outfit Flight returns with their thunderous new album, “Echoes of Journeys Past,” a record that lovingly echoes the sounds of the genre’s formative years. Released in July 2023, the album is a potent blend of nostalgia and fresh energy, offering a satisfying experience for fans of classic metal and newcomers alike.…
-
Saturnus Returns with “The Storm Within”: A Descent into Emotional Brutality
Danish death-doom veterans Saturnus unleashed their long-awaited fifth album, “The Storm Within,” in June 2023. The title itself evokes a potent duality, referencing both the churning chaos of the natural world and the turmoil that can fester within the human psyche. This duality permeates the entire record, making it a deeply personal and emotionally resonant…
-
Fires in the Distance Breathe New Life into Melodic Death Metal with “Air Not Meant for Us”
Connecticut progressive death metal outfit Fires in the Distance have returned with their sophomore album, “Air Not Meant for Us,” solidifying their reputation as a band to watch in the genre. Following their well-received 2020 debut, “Echoes From Deep November,” the new album builds upon the band’s foundation of melodic death metal, incorporating elements of…
-
Frozen Soul’s Glacial Domination: A Frigid Onslaught of Modern Death Metal
Texas death metal outfit Frozen Soul returns with their sophomore album, Glacial Domination, released in May 2023 on Century Media Records. Following their critically acclaimed debut, Crypt of Ice, the band builds upon their foundation of old-school death metal with a touch of modern flair, solidifying their place at the forefront of the genre’s resurgence.…
-
Sacramento Band Oromet Releases Crushing Debut “Oromet”
California’s doom metal scene gets a new inhabitant with the arrival of Sacramento’s Oromet and their self-titled debut album, released in June 2023. Formed by members of other bands in the local scene, Oromet brings together atmospheric elements with the crushing weight of doom metal, creating a soundscape that is both beautiful and devastating. The…
-
Sorcerer Unleashes Darkness and Beauty with “Reign of the Reaper”
Swedish heavy metal outfit Sorcerer returned in October 2023 with their fourth studio album, “Reign of the Reaper,” solidifying their place as masters of modern riff-driven music. This offering showcases the band’s signature blend of aggression and melody, taking their sound to even darker and heavier places. “Reign of the Reaper” is not for the…
-
Helms Deep Summons the Glory Days of Metal with “Treacherous Ways”
Helms Deep crashes onto the scene with their debut album, “Treacherous Ways,” a love letter to the golden age of heavy metal. This isn’t some derivative imitation, though. Helms Deep injects enough modern muscle and songwriting savvy to create an album that feels fresh and exciting. Fans of classic metal titans like Judas Priest, Iron…
-
Cryptopsy Rises From the Ashes: A Review of “As Gomorrah Burns”
Canadian technical death metal veterans, Cryptopsy, roared back onto the scene in September 2023 with their eighth studio album, “As Gomorrah Burns.” After a tumultuous period marked by lineup changes and a less-than-stellar received album, “The Unspoken King,” Cryptopsy had a lot to prove. Does “As Gomorrah Burns” live up to the legacy of their…
-
Church of Misery Returns With “Born Under a Mad Sign”
Tokyo’s legendary doom outfit, Church of Misery, is back with a vengeance. After a seven-year hiatus, they’ve unleashed “Born Under a Mad Sign,” an album that’s arguably their heaviest and most disturbing yet. The band’s signature style – crushing riffs, pummeling drums, and vocalist Kazuhiro Asaeda’s menacing growl – remains firmly intact. But “Born Under…
-
The Night Eternal Returns with a Fatale Dose of Heavy Metal Grandeur
German heavy metal outfit The Night Eternal returned in force in June 2023 with their sophomore album, “Fatale.” Following their well-received 2021 debut, “Moonlit Cross,” the band refines their sound on “Fatale,” delivering a potent blend of classic heavy metal influences with a modern edge. Darkness with a Hint of Mystery “Fatale” wastes no time…
-
Angra Rides the Emotional Spectrum on “Cycles of Pain”
Angra, the Brazilian progressive power metal veterans, returned in February 2023 with their tenth studio album, “Cycles of Pain.” Following the critically acclaimed “Ømni,” “Cycles of Pain” finds the band grappling with themes of loss, growth, and the inevitable cycles of human suffering. Does this latest offering recapture the magic of their earlier works, or…
-
The Zenith Passage Blazes a Technical Path with “Datalysium”
Australian progressive death metal outfit The Zenith Passage made a triumphant return in July 2023 with their third studio album, “Datalysium.” Following a critically acclaimed but commercially modest sophomore effort, “Datalysium” finds the band firing on all cylinders, delivering a potent blend of technicality, brutality, and progressive songwriting. A Feast for Tech-Death Devotees “Datalysium” wastes…
-
Swedish Steel Strikes True: Century Conquers Time on Debut Album
Formed in Stockholm in 2020, Swedish heavy metal duo Century wasted no time making a name for themselves. Their self-produced and self-recorded debut album, “The Conquest of Time,” arrived in April 2023 to critical acclaim. This offering throws listeners back to the golden age of the genre, delivering a potent blend of classic riffs, soaring…
-
Blut Aus Nord Delves Deeper into the Abyss with “Disharmonium – Nahab”
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…