Category: Albums

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…

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…

🎵 Tracklist: Track 1: Snake Dance Track 2: Sun and the Morning Star Track 3: World Tree Track 4: Become as One Track 5: Garden of the Sun Track 6: Spirits of the Oak Track 7: Fire Track 8: Crescent Moon 🎸 Album Review: **Album Review: Spirits by Romuvos** Lithuanian folk metal band Romuvos has…

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

🎵 Tracklist: Track 1: Vaterland (intro) Track 2: Zwiegestalt Track 3: Gedankentempeln Track 4: Jenseits der Menschen Track 5: Tenebrae Track 6: Keno (Dark Ages x Celan) 🎸 Album Review: German avant-garde metal band Seltsame Erden has once again pushed the boundaries of their genre with their latest release, “Gedankentempeln”. This album, which translates to…

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…

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…

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…

🎵 Tracklist: Track 1: Angels Calling Track 2: Sole Survivors Track 3: Run for Your Life Track 4: Lady Luck Track 5: Excited Track 6: Restless & Wild Track 7: Sorrow, Death and Pain Track 8: There is No Tomorrow Track 9: Who am I Track 10: We Are Alive 🎸 Album Review: **Album Review:…

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…

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…

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…

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…