Frozen Soul – No Place of Warmth (Review)

Frozen Soul - No Place of WarmthThis is the third album from US death metallers Frozen Soul.

Frozen Soul play old-school death metal. Across 36 minutes No Place of Warmth the band assault the listener with a barrage of riffs, growls, and deathly beats that are near-guaranteed to get bodies moving hard. Continue reading “Frozen Soul – No Place of Warmth (Review)”

Yoth Iria – Gone with the Devil (Review)

Yoth Iria - Gone with the DevilYoth Iria are a Greek black metal band and this is their third album.

Following on from the well-received As the Flame Withers and Blazing Inferno, Yoth Iria have now returned to once more grace us with their personable take on black metal. Gone with the Devil contains 46 minutes of new material. Continue reading “Yoth Iria – Gone with the Devil (Review)”

Black Orchid Empire – LORE (Review)

Black Orchid Empire - LOREThis is the fifth album from UK progressive rock band Black Orchid Empire.

Black Orchid Empire revealed themselves to be one of the best contemporary heavy/progressive rock bands around on 2023’s Tempus Veritas, and also showed their chops in the live environment at last year’s Mangata Festival. All of which is to say that the new 48-minute LORE promises great things. Does it deliver? Continue reading “Black Orchid Empire – LORE (Review)”

Lago – Vigil (Review)

Lago - VigilLago are a US death metal band and this is their third album.

Lago had a series of strong releases, (2014’s Tyranny, a 2016 split with Calm Hatchery, and 2018’s Sea of Duress), but it’s been a looooong time since then. Which is why, when the 42-minute Vigil appeared, it carried Continue reading “Lago – Vigil (Review)”

Gadget – Coerced (Review)

Gadget - CoercedThis is the latest EP from Swedish grindcore band Gadget.

A decade since The Great Destroyer, Gadget finally return. With two new members on vocals and guitar/vocals respectively, Coerced is the world’s first taste of the new Gadget. Has it been worth the wait? Continue reading “Gadget – Coerced (Review)”

Dragged into Sunlight/Vacuous/Plague Pit – Club Academy, Manchester – 30/05/26 (Live Review)

Dragged into Sunlight Vacuous Plague Pit - Club Academy, Manchester - 30.05.26 (Live Review)

Manchester’s hot ticket is tonight is Dragged into Sunlight, and people have turned out in force. As usual, their merch queue is ridiculous, and it stays ridiculous for a ridiculous amount of time. Good for them. They’re not the only tasty treat on this gnarled bill though; first comes death metal most foul. Continue reading “Dragged into Sunlight/Vacuous/Plague Pit – Club Academy, Manchester – 30/05/26 (Live Review)”

Cage Fight – Exuvia (Review)

Cage Fight - ExuviaThis is the second album from Cage Fight, a metalcore band from the UK.

After 2022’s enjoyable Cage Fight and proving themselves in the live environmentExuvia carries certain expectations of quality around these parts. Have Cage Fight managed to live up to these expectations, which include the hope that they’ve taken the next step up from their debut? Continue reading “Cage Fight – Exuvia (Review)”

Black Cilice – Votive Fire (Review)

Black Cilice - Votive FireThis is the seventh album from solo Portuguese black metal band Black Cilice.

This is raw black metal, steeped in esoteric atmosphere. Across four expressive songs, the artist behind Black Cilice spends 34 minutes weaving black magicks out of shadow and ritual. Votive Fire is transportive in that unique way that only black metal can be. Continue reading “Black Cilice – Votive Fire (Review)”

Cognizance – In Light, No Shape (Review)

Cognizance - In Light, No ShapeCognizance are a death metal band from the UK and this is their fourth album.

Following on from 2024’s strong Phantazein, Cognizance have now returned with the 37-minute In Light, No Shape. Once again we get treated to the band’s take on modern technical death metal, and, as usual, it’s a winner. Continue reading “Cognizance – In Light, No Shape (Review)”

Ashen Horde – The Harvest (Review)

Ashen Horde - The HarvestThis is the fifth album from US progressive black metal act Ashen Horde.

2023’s Antimony was Ashen Horde’s best album up to this point. This means that The Harvest is an eagerly anticipated new record from this notable band. Will it have what it takes to knock Antimony from the top spot? Continue reading “Ashen Horde – The Harvest (Review)”