Category: Albums
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Overkill Scorches with 20th Studio Album: A Return to Thrashing Glory
Overkill, the veteran thrash metal band from New Jersey, delivered a potent shot of aggression with their 20th studio album, “Scorched,” which arrived in April 2023. Marking their longest gap between albums (four years since “The Wings of War”), “Scorched” finds Overkill revitalized and recapture the intensity that made them thrash metal pioneers. The album…
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Album Review: Mean Jeans – Blasted
🎵 Tracklist: Track 1: I Don’t Give a Shit Anymore Track 2: Let’s Go Track 3: Diagnosis Track 4: Lost My Mind Track 5: Blasted to the Moon Track 6: Something’s Going On Track 7: Reggie Track 8: Taco Bell Parking Lot Track 9: Look What Punk’s Done to You Track 10: Slugs 🎸 Album…
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Tomb Mold Emerges from the Wilderness with Progressive Masterpiece: “The Enduring Spirit”
Canadian progressive death metal outfit Tomb Mold returned in 2023 with a bang, unleashing their fourth studio album, “The Enduring Spirit.” After a four-year hiatus following their critically acclaimed “Planetary Clairvoyance,” the band returns with a renewed sense of purpose, venturing into uncharted territories while retaining their signature sonic assault. “The Enduring Spirit” marks a…
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Horrendous Unveils “Ontological Mysterium”: A Death Metal Masterpiece
Horrendous, the rising stars of progressive death metal, returned in 2023 with their critically acclaimed album, “Ontological Mysterium.” This record marked a turning point for the band, showcasing their ability to deliver a thrilling death metal experience while pushing the boundaries of the genre. “Ontological Mysterium” is a lean and mean album, clocking in at…
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Demoniac Unleashes Darkness with “Nube Negra”
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…
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Spirit Possession Unleashes Primal Black Metal Fury on “Of the Sign…”
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…
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Smoulder Unleashes Epic Doom with “Violent Creed of Vengeance”
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…
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Blood Star Blazes Onto the Scene with “First Sighting”
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…
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Nithing – Agonal Hymns: A Descent into Aural Agony
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…
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Sulphur Aeon Unveil Cosmic Horrors on “Seven Crowns and Seven Seals”
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…
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Album Review: Morbid Saint – Swallowed By Hell
🎵 Tracklist: Track 1: Rise From the Ashes Track 2: Swallowed by Hell Track 3: Bloody Floors Track 4: Burn Pit Track 5: Fear Incarnate Track 6: Fuck Them All Track 7: Bleed Them Dry Track 8: Pine Tuxedo Track 9: Killer Instinct Track 10: Psychosis 🎸 Album Review: Morbid Saint is a name that…
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Blackbraid Returns with Epic Atmospheric Black Metal in “Blackbraid II”
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.…
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Insomnium Descend into Darkness with “Anno 1696”
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…
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Marduk Marches Onward with Grim Grandeur on “Memento Mori”
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,…
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Katatonia’s Sky Void of Stars: A Voyage Through Progressive Darkness
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…
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Cruciamentum Returns with a Savage Masterpiece: Obsidian Refractions
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…
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Autopsy Rises From the Crypt: Ashes, Organs, Blood, and Crypts Delivers Putrid Perfection
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.…
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Enslaved Pushes Boundaries with Progressive Masterpiece, “Heimdal”
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…
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Cruel Force Unleashes Speed Metal Fury on “Dawn of the Axe”
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…
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Enforced Crushes Skulls with “War Remains”: A Thrash Masterpiece
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…
