Category: Albums
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Arkona – Kob’: A Descent into Slavic Darkness
Arkona’s ninth studio album, “Kob’” (meaning “spell” in Russian), arrived in June 2023, marking a departure from their usual sound. While still undeniably Arkona, “Kob’” delves deeper into darkness, venturing into black metal territory and exploring themes of human destruction and inevitable downfall. This shift has left fans divided, sparking discussions about artistic evolution and…
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Savage Oath – Savage Oath: A Triumphant Return to Classic Heavy Metal Glory
Savage Oath’s self-titled debut album, released in May 2023, is a potent reminder that classic heavy metal is alive and well. Formed by veterans of the scene, including members of Visigoth, Pagan Altar, and Sumerlands, Savage Oath isn’t interested in reinventing the wheel. Instead, they deliver a powerful and exhilarating homage to the genre’s golden…
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In Flames – Foregone: A Return to Form or a Nostalgic Gamble?
In Flames, the Swedish melodic death metal veterans, return with their fourteenth studio album, “Foregone,” released in February 2023. This album marks a turning point for the band, following a period of experimentation with a more modern metal sound. “Foregone” sees In Flames embracing their earlier melodic death metal roots, a move that has both…
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Nothingness – Supraliminal: A Brutal Journey Through Dissonance and Death Metal Mayhem
Minnesota-based death metal outfit Nothingness returns with their sophomore album, “Supraliminal,” released in January 2023 via Everlasting Spew Records. Following up on their critically acclaimed debut, “The Hollow Gaze of Death,” Nothingness continues to explore the darkest corners of extreme metal, delivering a punishing and dissonant aural assault that will leave listeners breathless. A Brutal…
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Mephorash – Krystl-Ah: A Hypnotic Descent into Occult Depths
Sweden’s Mephorash has carved a distinct path within the black metal scene. Their sound, a mesmerizing blend of traditional aggression, atmospheric grandeur, and esoteric exploration, has captivated fans since their 2011 debut. Their latest offering, “Krystl-Ah” (released November 10th, 2023 via Shadow Records), pushes their sonic boundaries further, resulting in a hauntingly beautiful and utterly…
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Finsterforst – Jenseits: A 40-Minute Epic Journey Through Folk-Infused Black Metal
Finsterforst, the German black metal outfit known for their blend of atmospheric soundscapes and folk elements, returns with “Jenseits,” a single-track, 40-minute epic. Released in September 2023, “Jenseits” translates to “beyond” in English, a fitting title for this ambitious and sprawling exploration of darkness, introspection, and a potential glimpse of the afterlife. A Cohesive Journey…
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Fen – Monuments to Absence: A Haunting Exploration of Loss and the English Fens
Fen, the English post-black metal outfit, returns with their seventh studio album, “Monuments to Absence.” Building on their established strengths of atmospheric melodies and a deep connection to the bleak beauty of the East Anglian fens, the band weaves a tapestry of sonic desolation and introspective contemplation. The album opens with a bang. “Scouring Ignorance”…
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Beyond the Black – Beyond the Black: A Self-Titled Exploration of Catchy Melodies and Storytelling
Beyond the Black returns with their self-titled album, a ten-track exploration of their signature brand of symphonic metal. Fronted by the ever-powerful Jennifer Haben, the album delivers a blend of catchy melodies, driving guitars, and bombastic orchestration, solidifying their position as a prominent force in the genre. Beyond the Familiar: A Broader Soundscape While Beyond…
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Marthe – Further In Evil: A Descent into Raw Blackened Fury
Marthe’s debut full-length album, “Further In Evil,” is a sonic descent into the abyss. This offering from the Italian one-woman project, helmed by the enigmatic Marzia, is a potent blend of black metal savagery, punk rock aggression, and a haunting atmosphere that lingers long after the final note fades. A Maelstrom of Raw Power “Further…
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Minenwerfer Unleashes a Relentless Onslaught on “Feuerwalze”
Minenwerfer, the American USBM (US Black Metal) duo, returns with “Feuerwalze,” a German term translating to “firestorm.” This aptly titled album lives up to its name, delivering a punishing and immersive sonic assault that plunges the listener into the horrors of World War I trench warfare. Aural Blitzkrieg “Feuerwalze” wastes no time in establishing its…
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Midnight Odyssey – Biolume Part 3: A Fullmoon Madness – A Lunar Epic of Cosmic Black Metal
The wait is finally over. Midnight Odyssey, the one-man project helmed by multi-instrumentalist Tony “Dis Pater” Parker, has unleashed the final chapter of its epic “Biolume” trilogy – “A Fullmoon Madness.” Clocking in at a staggering two hours and eight minutes, this colossal undertaking isn’t just an album; it’s an immersive journey into the cosmos,…
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Nightmarer – Deformity Adrift: A Descent into Dissonant Chaos
Nightmarer’s sophomore album, “Deformity Adrift,” is a punishing and rewarding journey into the abyss of dissonant death metal. Clocking in at a lean 32 minutes, the album wastes no time in assaulting the listener with a relentless barrage of atonal riffs, pummeling drums, and guttural vocals. A Brutal Symphony of Dissonance From the opening track,…
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The Hu Captivates Glastonbury With Raw Energy on “Live at Glastonbury”
Mongolian folk metal outfit The Hu brings their unique brand of throat singing and galloping rhythms to the world stage with “Live at Glastonbury,” a new live album capturing their electrifying performance at the famed 2023 Glastonbury Festival. The album explodes out of the gate with the pulse-pounding “The Great Chinggis Khan,” immediately establishing the…
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Sessyhousespacecowboy Stages a Sonic Revolution on “Coup De Grace”
Get ready for a genre-bending thrill ride with Sessyhousespacecowboy’s latest album, “Coup De Grace.” This audacious release defies categorization, seamlessly blending elements of hip-hop, electronic music, and even anime soundtracks into a cohesive and electrifying soundscape. Sessyhousespacecowboy, the moniker of the enigmatic Japanese producer, takes center stage with his signature frenetic energy. Tracks like “NANIKABAN”…
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Wheel Takes Aim at Authority on “Charismatic Leaders”
Finnish progressive metal outfit Wheel takes a decidedly darker turn on their latest album, “Charismatic Leaders.” Shedding some of the melodic flourishes of their previous releases, the band crafts a more aggressive and conceptually focused effort that tackles themes of media manipulation and societal control. Right from the opening track, “Empire,” Wheel establishes a sense…
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Diamond Construct Pushes Boundaries on Genre-Bending “Angel Killer Zero”
Australian metal outfit Diamond Construct returns with a sonic explosion on their sophomore album, “Angel Killer Zero.” This ambitious effort throws metalcore, trap, and electronic influences into a blender, creating a sound that is both brutal and strangely catchy. Gone are the more traditional metalcore leanings of their self-titled debut. “Angel Killer Zero” embraces a…
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Darkthrone Beckons Listeners with Unpredictable Journey on “It Beckons Us All”
Norwegian black metal pioneers Darkthrone continue their genre-hopping odyssey with “It Beckons Us All,” their twentieth studio album. This latest release defies easy categorization, offering a smorgasbord of influences that will surprise even the most die-hard fans. Gone are the days of the raw, icy black metal of their early albums. “It Beckons Us All”…
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Spiritbox Soars with Emotion and Brutality on “Eternal Blue”
Canadian metal outfit Spiritbox makes a strong case for being the next big thing in the genre with their debut album, “Eternal Blue.” Fronted by the captivating Courtney LaPlante, Spiritbox blends elements of metalcore, progressive metal, and even pop into a sound that is both catchy and crushing. “Eternal Blue” is an emotional rollercoaster ride.…
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Deicide: Still Spewing Venom on “Banished By Sin”
Floridian death metal veterans Deicide return with their 13th studio album, “Banished By Sin,” a release that proves they haven’t mellowed with age. If anything, they’ve gotten even more blasphemous. Deicide has always been a band known for their uncompromising brutality and anti-Christian lyrics. “Banished By Sin” doesn’t deviate from this formula. Songs like “Bury…
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Alice Cooper Returns to Detroit with Raucous “Breadcrumbs” EP
Alice Cooper throws it back to his roots with the release of “Breadcrumbs,” a six-song EP that pays homage to the gritty garage rock scene of his Detroit stomping grounds. Originally a limited-edition vinyl release in 2019, “Breadcrumbs” has been re-released on CD in April 2024, complete with bonus tracks to entice longtime fans. The…