Veilburner – All That Glimmers Is Gloam (Review)

Veilburner - All That Glimmers Is GloamVeilburner are a black/death metal band from the US and this is their ninth album.

Veilburner; an enigma. A tantalising mystery with no obtainable answer. All That Glimmers Is Gloam; a 50-minute riddle, riven with metamorphic grace, yet ripe with transcendent promise. Continue reading “Veilburner – All That Glimmers Is Gloam (Review)”

Mother of Graves – The Light That Keeps Us (Review)

Mother of Graves - The Light That Keeps UsThis is the third album from US death/doom metal band Mother of Graves.

Mother of Graves have had an enviable run so far. Starting with their impressive debut EP In Sombre Dreams in 2021, they capitalised on this with their first full length the following year – Where the Shadows Adorn. However, it was 2024’s mighty The Periapt of Absence that really put them on the wider death/doom map. Which brings us gloomily to the 46-minute The Light That Keeps Us. Have Mother of Graves continued their ascent into the metallic heavens? Continue reading “Mother of Graves – The Light That Keeps Us (Review)”

Werewolves – You’re Weak and You Know You’re Weak (Review)

Werewolves - You're Weak and You Know You're WeakThis is the seventh album from Australian death metallers Werewolves.

Werewolves! Oh yeah! It’s hard to dislike a band like this. Reliably pumping out album after album of ferocious death metal ugliness…Werewolves are almost an institution at this point. Serving up 33 minutes of utter nastiness, You’re Weak and You Know You’re Weak is here to rend and destroy. Let’s get to it then. Continue reading “Werewolves – You’re Weak and You Know You’re Weak (Review)”

Nails/Rotten Sound/Invunche – Rebellion, Manchester – 05/10/26 (Live Review)

 

Nails Rotten Sound Invunche - Rebellion, Manchester - 05.10.26 (Live Review)

Tonight is a good night for sonic violence, and here are three bands very well-placed to dish it out. Within such a brutal niche as tonight’s show, Nails are big fish, (and that’s before you factor in the draw of the mighty Rotten Sound, as well as opener Invunche). Rebellion is therefore as busy as you’d expect it to be, and space is at a premium. If this show isn’t sold out, then it’s pretty damn close to it. Continue reading “Nails/Rotten Sound/Invunche – Rebellion, Manchester – 05/10/26 (Live Review)”

Esoctrilihum – Annochiül Xar Sorthïlazur (Review)

Esoctrilihum - Annochiül Xar SorthïlazurThis is the fifteenth album from French one-man black metal band Esoctrilihum.

One never knows what the artist behind the prolific Esoctrilihum is going to gift unto the unworthy world, which makes every release both a surprise and a treat. For Annochiül Xar Sorthïlazur, he has bequeathed us a lavish 69 minutes of symphonic avant-garde black/death metal. While that description may get stuck in the mouth, Annochiül Xar Sorthïlazur itself goes down remarkably smoothly for something so idiosyncratic and barbed. But then, Esoctrilihum always seems to deliver the goods. Continue reading “Esoctrilihum – Annochiül Xar Sorthïlazur (Review)”

Thronehammer – Slay | Kill | Erase (Review)

Thronehammer - Slay Kill EraseThronehammer are an international doom metal band and this is their fourth album.

Thronehammer return! Glory! With the mighty Slay | Kill | Erase Thronehammer unleash yet another colossal slab of doom heaviness on the world, and it’s as massive as you’d want it to be. Prepare thyself for Thronehammer! Continue reading “Thronehammer – Slay | Kill | Erase (Review)”

Ram – Against (Review)

Ram - AgainstThis is the seventh album from Swedish heavy metallers Ram.

Ram are ferociously good, let’s get that right in the open straight away. They’ve been absent a good many years though, silent since 2019’s The Throne Within. Thankfully, they have now seen fit to return to us, gifting unto us a worthy heavy metal tribute in the form of the 44-minute Against. Buckle up, as this one’s a beast. Continue reading “Ram – Against (Review)”

Firtan – Helios (Review)

Firtan - HeliosFirtan are a German black metal band and this is their fifth album.

Following on from 2022’s Marter and 2024’s Ethos, Helios brings us 60 minutes of well-crafted atmospheric black metal and post-blackened might. It is a record that reeks of high quality. Firtan have obviously put a lot of energy and care into its creation, and the results pay off. Continue reading “Firtan – Helios (Review)”

Crown Magnetar – The Hollowing of Godflesh (Review)

Crown Magnetar - The Hollowing of GodfleshThis is the third album by Crown Magnetar, a US death metal/deathcore band.

Crown Crown Magnetar’s brand of deathcore is on the more extreme side of the spectrum. The Hollowing of Godflesh delivers a heavy dose of brutal punishment across 29 unforgiving minutes. Continue reading “Crown Magnetar – The Hollowing of Godflesh (Review)”

Chelsea Wolfe – The Dark (Review)

Chelsea Wolfe - The DarkThis is the ninth album from Chelsea Wolfe, a solo alternative rock artist from the US.

Chelsea Wolfe’s new record delivers 40 minutes of darkly expressive music for the listener to fall deeply for. The Dark is a record that once encountered, is not soon forgotten. Continue reading “Chelsea Wolfe – The Dark (Review)”