Bongripper – Empty (Review)

Bongripper - EmptyThis is the eighth album from US doom metal band Bongripper.

Hell yeah, it’s time to bring the MASSIVE DOOM AGAIN! Empty boasts 67 minutes of gargantuan music that simply crushes flat everything within a mile radius of its imposing bulk. If you only get one doom album this year, then this is going to be the one. Continue reading “Bongripper – Empty (Review)”

Infestus – Entzweiung (Review)

Infestus - EntzweiungThis is the sixth album from German solo black metal band Infestus.

Has it really been ten years since 2014’s The Reflecting Void? I really liked that record. With only one album since then – 2018’s Thrypsis, which I somehow missed – I’ve been looking forward to exploring the 46-minute Entzweiung. Continue reading “Infestus – Entzweiung (Review)”

Lust Hag – Lust Hag (Review)

Lust Hag - Lust HagThis is the debut album from US one-woman black metal band Lust Hag.

It’s here! It’s finally happening! A full Lust Hag album! Rejoice! This artist was one of my favourite new finds of 2023, so I have been massively looking forward to the day a full album would appear. And now it has – 37 minutes of elite black metal to get to grips with. Let’s be clear from the start – Lust Hag is so damn good it hurts. Continue reading “Lust Hag – Lust Hag (Review)”

Morgul Blade – Heavy Metal Wraiths (Review)

Morgul Blade - Heavy Metal WraithsThis is the second album from US blackened heavy metal band Morgul Blade.

Now there’s an album cover for you. When combined with the title, it that speaks loudly of what you’ll encounter on Heavy Metal Wraiths. Across 36 minutes Morgul Blade deliver a rip-roaring trip through ten boisterous tracks that are designed to get those heads banging and fists pumping. Continue reading “Morgul Blade – Heavy Metal Wraiths (Review)”

Lethe – Alienation (Review)

Lethe - AlienationThis is the third album from Lethe, a dark rock band from Switzerland/Norway.

Well, I wasn’t expecting a new album from Lethe, I must admit. 2014’s When Dreams Become Nightmares was an amazing album, one which I’ve only enjoyed more and more over the last decade (!) since it was released. Nonetheless, we are now gifted with Alienation, which brings us 45 minutes of material. Continue reading “Lethe – Alienation (Review)”

Exhumation – Master’s Personae (Review)

Exhumation - Master's PersonaeThis is the fourth album from Exhumation, an Indonesian death metal band.

Wow, it’s been a long time since I encountered Exhumation. Ten years ago in fact, on their debut album Hymn to Your God, which I enjoyed very much. Well, catching up with the band is long overdue, so let’s take a look at the 38 minutes of death metal on Master’s Personae and see what they’re up to. Continue reading “Exhumation – Master’s Personae (Review)”

Amiensus – Reclamation: Part 1 (Review)

Amiensus - Reclamation Part 1This is the fourth album from US black metallers Amiensus.

Amiensus are a band I’ve really enjoyed watching the development of over the years. 2012’s Restoration was an early highlight, but every release has offered something tasty from the band. Whether this is the stripped back classic approach of 2017’s All Paths Lead to Death, or the standout Abreaction, which rightfully made it onto my 2020 year end list, Amiensus always seem to have something meaningful to say. Continue reading “Amiensus – Reclamation: Part 1 (Review)”

Arð – Untouched by Fire (Review)

Arð - Untouched by FireThis is the second album from UK doom metal solo act Arð.

I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Arð last year, so the opportunity to bask in the luxurious doom majesty of this new album was irresistible. Brought to us by a member of Winterfylleth, Untouched by Fire is a richly rewarding 43-minute experience to get lost in. Continue reading “Arð – Untouched by Fire (Review)”

Full of Hell – Coagulated Bliss (Review)

Full of Hell - Coagulated BlissThis is the sixth album from US grindcore band Full of Hell.

New Full of Hell is always a bit exciting, and this time they have returned with their most colourful album cover yet. What does this mean for the music contained within? Before we get to that, I’ll just link to my previous reviews of 2017’s Trumpeting Ecstasy, 2019’s Weeping Choir, and 2021’s Garden of Burning Apparitions, as all are damn fine albums worthy of your attention. Continue reading “Full of Hell – Coagulated Bliss (Review)”