Category: Albums

Death metal veterans Obituary returned in 2023 with a vengeance, unleashing their eleventh studio album, “Dying of Everything.” This punishing record proves that these Florida pioneers are still a force to be reckoned with, delivering a brutal and unrelenting sonic assault that stands alongside their classic works. Following a successful Kickstarter campaign that reignited their…

For fans of the Gothenburg sound of melodic death metal, 2023 brought a breath of fresh air with the debut album “Vast Reaches Unclaimed” by Majesties. This American three-piece, featuring members of revered bands like Obsequiae and Inexorum, isn’t shy about its influences. The album is a love letter to the genre’s golden age, the…

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, the Australian psychedelic rock band known for their prolific output and genre-bending tendencies, took a sharp turn into heavy metal with their 24th studio album, “PetroDragonic Apocalypse; or, Dawn of Eternal Night: An Annihilation of Planet Earth and the Beginning of Merciless Damnation,” released in June 2023. The album…

British rock outfit Wytch Hazel returned in June 2023 with their fourth studio album, “IV: Sacrament,” solidifying their position as a band on a steady upward climb. Following a string of well-received releases, “IV: Sacrament” finds the band refining their sound, offering a record that’s both familiar and surprisingly nuanced. Fans of Wytch Hazel will…

Japanese power metal outfit Lovebites roared back onto the scene in February 2023 with their triumphant fourth album, “Judgement Day.” Marking the band’s first release since the departure of co-founder and bassist Miho in 2022, the album introduces their new bassist Fami and proves to be their strongest effort yet, both critically and commercially. “Judgement…

Richmond, Virginia’s Enforced emerged as a force to be reckoned with in the crossover thrash scene with their debut album “At the Walls.” Their sophomore effort, “War Remains,” released in April 2023, cements their status as modern thrash royalty. Building on the foundation laid by “Kill Grid,” “War Remains” takes a more focused approach, channeling…

German speed metallers Cruel Force returned in 2023 with a vengeance, unleashing their latest album “Dawn of the Axe” upon the world. This release marked a triumphant comeback for the band, showcasing their continued dedication to high-octane shredding while incorporating some surprising twists and turns. “Dawn of the Axe” wastes no time in setting the…

Norwegian extreme metal veterans Enslaved unleashed their sixteenth studio album, “Heimdal,” on March 3, 2023, via Nuclear Blast. This release marked a turning point for the band, showcasing their continued evolution and fearless experimentation. While Enslaved built their foundation on black metal, “Heimdal” ventures far beyond those roots. The album is a genre-bending exploration, incorporating…

Just a year after their critically acclaimed “Morbidly Triumphant,” death metal legends Autopsy return with another gruesome masterpiece: “Ashes, Organs, Blood, and Crypts.” This isn’t a sophomore slump; it’s a masterclass in brutality, proving the band hasn’t lost a single step in their decades-long career. The album title itself is a macabre statement of intent.…

Eight years after their critically-acclaimed debut, British death metal outfit Cruciamentum has returned with a vengeance. Their sophomore album, “Obsidian Refractions,” proves to be a worthy follow-up, pushing the boundaries of their already formidable sound. The album isn’t just a continuation; it’s a culmination. Cruciamentum, now featuring a new lineup with American drummer Matt Heffner…

Swedish heavy metal veterans Katatonia released their twelfth studio album, Sky Void of Stars, to critical acclaim in January 2023. The album marked a turning point for the band, navigating the emotional and creative challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Sky Void of Stars takes a thematic detour from Katatonia’s usual melancholic explorations. The…

Swedish black metal veterans Marduk unleashed their fifteenth studio album, “Memento Mori,” in September 2023. The title, a Latin phrase translating to “remember you must die,” sets the tone for this offering – a potent exploration of mortality and oblivion. “Memento Mori” doesn’t stray far from Marduk’s signature sound. Blazing riffs, Daniel Rostén’s venomous rasps,…

Finnish melodic death metal titans Insomnium returned in 2023 with their ninth studio album, “Anno 1696,” a harrowing concept piece inspired by a period of immense hardship in Scandinavia. Building upon the critical acclaim of their previous releases, “Anno 1696” delves into the despair and desolation of the late 17th century, a time marked by…

Hailing from the Adirondack Mountains, one-man black metal project Blackbraid unleashed its sophomore album, “Blackbraid II,” in July 2023. This followup to the self-titled debut builds upon the artist’s foundation of passionate and intense black metal, infused with a distinctly Native American atmosphere. Evolution and Expansion Reviews hail “Blackbraid II” as a significant step forward.…

Five years in the making, Sulphur Aeon returns with their fourth studio album, “Seven Crowns and Seven Seals,” a descent into harrowing soundscapes inspired by the cosmic dread of H.P. Lovecraft. The album establishes its intent from the outset. “Sombre Tidings,” a brief intro track, sets the mood with an ominous atmosphere before erupting into…

Nithing’s “Agonal Hymns,” released in June 2023, is a brutal and unrelenting assault on the senses. This album is not for the faint of heart, delving into dark and disturbing territory with both its lyrical themes and sonic assault. The album title, “Agonal Hymns,” hints at the suffering that awaits listeners. Agonal refers to the…

Salt Lake City’s rising stars, Blood Star, have delivered a scorching debut album titled “First Sighting,” solidifying their place in the New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal. Fronted by the formidable Madeline Smith and driven by guitarist Jamison Palmer (formerly of Visigoth), Blood Star wastes no time showcasing their brand of classic, riff-heavy metal with…

Canadian traditional metal outfit Smoulder set the underground ablaze in 2023 with their debut album, “Times of Obscene Evil and Wild Daring.” Now, they return even fiercer with their sophomore effort, “Violent Creed of Vengeance,” a scorching testament to epic heavy metal and doom influences. Released in April 2023, the album embodies the very concept…

Australian black metal duo Spirit Possession return with their sophomore album, “Of the Sign…”, a nightmarish descent into the genre’s untamed origins. Following up on their well-received 2020 debut, the band, comprised of S. Peacock (Ulthar, Mastery) and A. Spungin (Vouna, ex-Insect Ark), delve deeper into the raw, lo-fi black metal sound, crafting an experience…

Chilean thrashers Demoniac return with their third album, “Nube Negra” (Spanish for “Dark Cloud”), a release that promises to be their darkest and most aggressive yet. Released in September 2023, the album marks a continuation of the band’s evolution, incorporating fresh elements alongside their signature thrash attack. “Nube Negra” boasts eight tracks clocking in at…