Category: Albums

Starpath, a 2023 split album featuring the atmospheric death/doom outfit Dream Unending and the psychedelic black metal act Worm, offers a unique listening experience. Each band occupies one side of the record, presenting contrasting yet thematically connected explorations of mortality, cosmic vastness, and the mysteries beyond. Dream Unending: A Somber Beauty Amidst Existential Dread Dream…

Anubis Gate, the Dutch progressive metal veterans, return in triumphant fashion with their ninth studio album, “Interference,” released in April 2023. Following a period of experimentation on their previous release, “Horizons,” Anubis Gate refines their sound on “Interference,” delivering a potent blend of technical prowess, catchy melodies, and thought-provoking songwriting that is sure to please…

Cypriot heavy metallers Solitary Sabred unleash their fourth full-length album, “Temple of the Serpent,” in December 2023. This concept album throws the listener headfirst into a world of fallen kingdoms, cursed kings, and epic battles, all delivered with a powerful and passionate homage to the golden age of heavy metal. A Celebration of Classic Sounds:…

🎵 Tracklist: Track 1: This Is How the World Ends Track 2: An Elegy Written on Porcelain Arms Track 3: Less Than Zero Track 4: I’ll Be Late for My Funeral Track 5: L’exquisite Douleur Track 6: Cursed Track 7: Two Lovers Left Alive Track 8: Kill the Lights Track 9: Diary of a Masochist…

🎵 Tracklist: Track 1: Catherine of Aragon (live, The London Palladium, 22 February 2023) Track 2: Anne Boleyn (live, The London Palladium, 22 February 2023) Track 3: Jane Seymour (live, The London Palladium, 22 February 2023) Track 4: Anne of Cleves (live, The London Palladium, 22 February 2023) Track 5: Catherine Howard (live, The London…

🎵 Tracklist: Track 1: Rain Track 2: Shining Kingdom Track 3: Angel’s Decay Track 4: My Saviour Track 5: Jupiterian Vibe Track 6: The Ones Who Came Before Track 7: Liquid Soul Dimension Track 8: Moonskin Track 9: Born Under Saturn Track 10: Chosen Race 🎸 Album Review: Swiss extreme metal band Samael has long…

Mansion’s sophomore album, “Second Death,” is a harrowing journey into the depths of doom metal infused with unsettling atmosphere and unsettling religious fanaticism. Following their critically acclaimed debut, “First Death of the Lutheran,” the Finnish band delves deeper into the abyss, exploring the dark tenets of Kartanoism – a bizarre Finnish Christian sect known for…

Vastum’s fifth album, “Inward to Gethsemane,” marks a shift from their usual focus on the visceral and profane. This offering delves into the murky depths of religious and spiritual anguish, dissecting themes of hypocrisy, guilt, and the struggle for faith. Does Vastum successfully navigate these new territories, or does “Inward to Gethsemane” leave listeners yearning…

Vile Ritual, the one-man project helmed by the enigmatic entity known only as “M,” unleashes a torrent of sonic savagery with their debut album, “Caverns of Occultic Hatred.” This offering isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s a raw, claustrophobic descent into the abyss of old-school death metal, rife with dissonance, brutality, and a touch…

Auld Ridge, the mystical black metal project helmed by the prolific O.W.G.A., returns with “Folklore From Further Out.” This latest offering ventures beyond the established boundaries of the genre, blending traditional black metal aggression with haunting folk melodies and epic storytelling. Does this unique tapestry resonate or unravel? Let’s delve into the wilds of “Folklore…

Azaghal, the Finnish black metal veterans, return with their latest offering, “Alttarimme on luista tehty,” which translates to “Our Altar is Made of Bones.” This album marks a return to their roots, embracing a raw, icy, and uncompromising style of black metal that will surely please fans of the genre’s early days. A Return to…

Skyblazer’s debut album, “Infinity’s Wings,” is a triumphant blast of pure, unadulterated power metal. Packed with soaring vocals, blazing guitar riffs, and keyboard flourishes, the album is a love letter to the genre’s golden age. Does Skyblazer recapture the magic of the past, or is “Infinity’s Wings” simply a derivative echo? Let’s strap on our…

Bell Witch, the Seattle-based doom metal duo, returns with a gargantuan offering: “Future’s Shadow Part 1: The Clandestine Gate.” This 83-minute behemoth is the first installment in a trilogy, and it throws down the gauntlet for any band daring to compete in the realm of epic funeral doom. Does “The Clandestine Gate” crush under its…

🎵 Tracklist: Track 1: 1. Evil Has No Boundaries Track 2: 2. The Antichrist Track 3: 3. Die by the Sword Track 4: 4. Fight Till Death Track 5: 5. Metal Storm/Face the Slayer Track 6: 6. Black Magic Track 7: 7. Tormentor Track 8: 8. The Final Command Track 9: 9. Crionics Track 10:…

Iron Maiden’s 2000 album, “Brave New World,” marked a glorious return to form. Following the experimental and commercially less successful Blaze Bayley years, the prodigal son, Bruce Dickinson, returned to the band alongside guitarist Adrian Smith. This reunion breathed new life into Iron Maiden, resulting in an album that seamlessly blended the band’s classic sound…

Outer Heaven’s sophomore album, “Infinite Psychic Depths,” plunges the listener into a vortex of unrelenting death metal rife with technicality and moments of unsettling atmosphere. Following up on their well-received debut, “Realms of Decay,” the American outfit showcases a band unafraid to push the boundaries of brutality while weaving in unexpected melodic twists. However, “Infinite…

Outer Heaven’s debut album, “Realms of Eternal Decay,” is a fetid feast for death metal purists. Released in 2018 via the legendary Relapse Records, this album is a relentless onslaught of crushing riffs, guttural growls, and a pervading sense of dread. While lacking the nuanced brutality of their later works, “Realms of Eternal Decay” establishes…

Delain’s 2021 album, “Dark Waters,” marks a turning point for the symphonic metal band. Following the departure of longtime vocalist Charlotte Wessels, Diana Leah steps into the spotlight, ushering in a new era defined by both change and continuity. “Dark Waters” blends elements of Delain’s established sound with fresh pop sensibilities, resulting in an album…

Delain’s sophomore album, “April Rain,” released in 2009, finds the Dutch symphonic metal band building upon the strong foundation laid by their critically acclaimed debut, “Lucidity.” While retaining the core elements that garnered them success – Charlotte Wessels’ soaring vocals, intricate symphonic arrangements, and powerful metal riffs – “April Rain” showcases a subtle evolution in…

Sylosis’ 2023 album, “A Sign of Things to Come,” marks a triumphant return for the British thrash outfit. Following a brief hiatus and a lineup change, the band led by vocalist and guitarist Josh Middleton delivers a potent cocktail of classic thrash influences, modern djent sensibilities, and the band’s signature technical prowess. “A Sign of…