Black Royal – The Summoning Pt. 2 (Review)

Black RoyalThis is the second EP from Finnish Death/Sludge Metal band Black Royal.

Black Royal have an interesting style, effectively combining primitive 90s Death Metal with a Sludge/Stoner influence. It’s definitely the path less-travelled and makes for a very enjoyable journey.

The vocals consist of rough, Stoner-esque, semi-cleans, mixed in with deeper growls that have more of a Death Metal slant. Continue reading “Black Royal – The Summoning Pt. 2 (Review)”

Tothem – Gemini (Review)

TothemThis is the second album from Tothem, an Italian gothic/heavy metal band.

This is the band’s follow up to their début album Beyond the Sea, which was a polished collection of gothic metal tracks.

As with their first release; no matter how enticing the female vocals are, Tothem still remember that they’re first and foremost a metal band. This means that the music is just as important as the singing, and the guitars are present and correct as they should be.

Continue reading “Tothem – Gemini (Review)”

Enoid – Exilé aux Confins des Tourments (Review)

EnoidThis is the seventh album from this Swiss black metal solo project.

As soon as I press play my attention is hooked by what blares out of the speakers. It’s scything, sharp Black Metal with a tight sound and enough frosted melodies and dark aggression to cut deep into the most jaded of hearts.

Kind of like Anaal Nathrakh crossed with Continue reading “Enoid – Exilé aux Confins des Tourments (Review)”

Sulphur – Omens of Doom (Review)

SulphurThis is the third album from Norwegian black metallers Sulphur.

Here we have an interesting release that combines a few different things into one. Omens of Doom is black metal that adds progressive, sometimes quirky, layers onto the razor-sharp modern style that it employs. Some elements of death metal and the avant-garde get a look in too, all incorporated into the comprehensive song structures.

Continue reading “Sulphur – Omens of Doom (Review)”

Isolert – No Hope, No Light…Only Death (Review)

IsolertIsolert are a Greek Black Metal band and this is their début album.

Their previous demo, Isolated Soul, was one that I enjoyed, and the song Empty Memory (Hate for Mankind) has made it from that release onto this one.

The band play Scandinavian-styled Black Metal. Since their first demo they  Continue reading “Isolert – No Hope, No Light…Only Death (Review)”

I Am Noah – The Verdict (Review)

I Am NoahI Am Noah are a metalcore band from Germany. This is their début release.

Metalcore is somewhat of a much-maligned genre, rightfully so in many ways. Regardless of what its detractors say though, there have been, (and are), some great bands playing the style that have left an impression on me at one time or another.

I Am Noah walk the same path as those who actually know what they’re doing with this kind of music. The familiar elements are all here, (backed up by a slight djent feel in places), but the band bend, burn and crush them into their own image. Continue reading “I Am Noah – The Verdict (Review)”

Goddess – The Withering (Review)

GoddessGoddess are a Norwegian progressive Doom rock band, and this is their début EP.

Originally appearing in 2014, this is a re-released, remixed, remastered and expanded version.  As this is my first exposure to Goddess, I can only assume these changes have improved The Withering, as it is quite an impressive release.

This is one song Continue reading “Goddess – The Withering (Review)”

Earth Rot – Chthonian Virtues (Review)

Earth RotEarth Rot are a Death Metal band from Australia, this is their latest EP.

This short release is a blast of stinking, fuzzed-up Death Metal. It hits like a truck and then reverses over you again and again and again.

With a gloriously filthy sound and a singer that Continue reading “Earth Rot – Chthonian Virtues (Review)”

Ill Omen/Slaughtbbath – Pestilential Hierophanies – Split (Review)

Ill Omen SlaughtbbathIll Omen is a one-man Black Metal project from Australia and Slaughtbbath are a Black Metal band from Chile. Teaming up for this split release, they each offer one track.

Ill Omen’s contribution is up first and is the longer of the two tracks at 8 minutes in length.

The song Continue reading “Ill Omen/Slaughtbbath – Pestilential Hierophanies – Split (Review)”

Visions of Atlantis – Old Routes – New Waters (Review)

Visions of AtlantisThis is the latest EP from Austrian Symphonic Power Metal band Visions of Atlantis.

This is bright and energetic music with a strong Power Metal base that the band build symphonic elements onto. It’s relentlessly upbeat and mercilessly colourful, so much so that it’s hard to dislike a band playing with Continue reading “Visions of Atlantis – Old Routes – New Waters (Review)”