Category: Albums

Mari Hamada, a legendary figure in Japanese rock, returns with a vengeance on “Soar.” This album marks her first collection of new material in over a decade. Does “Soar” live up to Hamada’s legacy, or is it a forgettable comeback attempt? Let’s delve into this high-octane record, track by track, and see if Hamada still…

Imperium Dekadenz, the German atmospheric black metal veterans, return with “Into Sorrow Evermore.” This offering promises a melancholic journey through wintry landscapes and existential contemplation. Let’s delve into this sonic wilderness, track by track, and see if “Into Sorrow Evermore” chills listeners to the bone or gets lost in the blizzard of its own atmosphere.…

Atlanta’s Cloak returns from the shadows with “Black Flame Eternal,” their third full-length album. This offering promises a continuation of their brand of American black metal, characterized by scorching riffs and a rebellious spirit. Does “Black Flame Eternal” maintain the flame or flicker out into obscurity? Let’s delve into the infernal depths, track by track,…

Sweden’s Wretched Fate returns with their sophomore album, “Carnal Heresy,” promising a continuation of their brand of brutal and unrelenting death metal. Does this album deliver a satisfyingly gory experience or devolve into uninspired brutality? Let’s dissect this carnivorous offering, track by track, and see if “Carnal Heresy” lives up to its name. A Slaughterous…

Corvus Corone’s “Abandoned in Spring” emerges from the shadows, promising a descent into the sorrowful abyss of funeral doom. Does this album blossom with melancholic beauty or wilt under the weight of its own despair? Let’s delve into this mournful soundscape, track by track, and see if “Abandoned in Spring” offers a cathartic release or…

Antrisch returns with “Expedition II: Die Passage,” a concept album that delves into the harrowing true story of Sir John Franklin’s doomed Arctic expedition. This offering promises a chilling exploration of isolation, despair, and the relentless grip of the frozen north. Let’s embark on this frigid expedition, track by track, and see if “Die Passage”…

Serpent of Old slithers onto the scene with their debut album, “Ensemble Under the Dark Sun.” This offering promises a venomous cocktail of black and death metal, sure to set the underground scene ablaze. Let’s dissect this sonic serpent, track by track, and see if “Ensemble Under the Dark Sun” delivers a potent dose of…

Délétère, veterans of the Québec black metal scene, return with “Songes d’une Nuit Souillée” (Dreams of a Tainted Night). This offering promises a return to their frigid and atmospheric brand of black metal. Let’s delve into this nocturnal soundscape, track by track, and see if “Songes d’une Nuit Souillée” chills listeners to the bone or…

Turbid North returns with their third album, “The Decline,” a sludge metal offering that dives headfirst into sonic desolation. This release promises a punishing exploration of emotional turmoil and societal decay. Let’s delve into this abyss, track by track, and see if “The Decline” lives up to its name or becomes a monotonous slog through…

Swedish progressive metal outfit The Anchoret makes a strong debut with “It All Began With Loneliness.” This ambitious album weaves a tapestry of soaring vocals, intricate instrumental passages, and a melancholic atmosphere that explores themes of isolation and yearning. Let’s embark on this introspective journey, track by track, and see if “It All Began With…

Strayed Gods return with their sophomore album, “Olympus,” promising a continuation of their brand of riff-heavy, Maiden-inspired traditional metal. Does “Olympus” reach the heights of the gods, or fall flat on Mount Disappointment? Let’s grab our metaphorical climbing picks and delve into this track-by-track review. A Journey Through Traditional Metal Glory: Verdict: 4 out of…

California’s Haunt return with their ninth studio album, “Golden Arm.” This offering dives headfirst into the well of classic metal, delivering a potent blend of soaring vocals, driving riffs, and infectious hooks. Let’s embark on this headbanging journey, track by track, and see if “Golden Arm” proves to be a nostalgic victory lap or a…

Norwegian black metal veterans Tsjuder return from the frozen north with their seventh studio album, “Helvegr.” This offering delivers a blistering assault of raw aggression, icy riffs, and frontman Nag’s signature shrieking vocals. Let’s delve into this sonic blizzard, track by track, and see if “Helvegr” upholds Tsjuder’s legacy of sonic brutality or loses its…

Italian power metal veterans Secret Sphere return with their tenth studio album, “Blackened Heartbeat.” This offering marks a stylistic departure from their usual brand of exuberant power metal, venturing into darker territory with a focus on progressive elements and symphonic grandeur. Let’s embark on this introspective journey, track by track, and see if “Blackened Heartbeat”…

Swedish traditional metal outfit Screamer returns with their fifth studio album, “Kingmaker.” This offering throws back to the glory days of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM), delivering a potent blend of soaring vocals, galloping riffs, and fist-pumping anthems. Let’s crank the volume and delve into this sonic time capsule, track by track,…

Legendary US power metallers Legendry return with their highly anticipated third album, “Time Immortal Wept.” This ambitious concept album delves into the ongoing saga of the Earthwarrior, a prophesied hero destined to save a world on the brink of oblivion. Let’s embark on this epic metal journey, track by track, and see if “Time Immortal…

Sweden’s Isole return with their eighth studio album, “Anesidora.” This offering dives deep into the well of traditional Swedish doom metal, delivering a melancholic soundscape rich with mournful melodies, crushing riffs, and Daniel Bryntse’s signature clean vocals – with a few unexpected growls thrown in for good measure. Let’s embark on this sorrowful journey, track…

German newcomers Firmament erupt onto the scene with their debut album, “We Don’t Rise, We Just Fall.” This offering is a love letter to the classic sounds of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM), brimming with infectious riffs, soaring vocals, and a healthy dose of youthful exuberance. Let’s crank the volume and headbang…

Dutch symphonic metal titans Within Temptation return with their seventh studio album, “Bleed Out.” This offering marks a continuation of their signature sound, blending heavy riffs and soaring vocals with orchestral flourishes. However, “Bleed Out” also hints at a darker and more urgent direction, tackling themes of loss, war, and societal division. Let’s embark on…

German black metal veterans Non Est Deus return from the shadows with their fourth full-length album, “Legacy.” This offering continues the band’s tradition of scathing anti-religious themes, delivered with a potent blend of icy riffs, blast beats, and venomous vocals. Let’s delve into this sonic assault on organized religion, track by track, and see if…