February 2020 – Page 3 – Wonderbox Metal

Blissful Stream – When the Wolves Start to Circle (Review)

This is the debut album from one-man Swedish doom metal band Blissful Stream.

It seems like an age since Blissful Stream first appeared in 2016 with Ascending Demons, which impressed with its lo-fi rocky take on doom metal. The next two years saw a release every year, (Devil’s Night to All Souls – Split with Lightsabres, and Dead Religious), and then a quiet 2019. This was apparently due to the artist building up to his fist full length, which we are now lucky enough to have in 2020. Continue reading “Blissful Stream – When the Wolves Start to Circle (Review)”

Frayle – 1692 (Review)

This is the debut album from US doom band Frayle.

I enjoyed 2018’s The White Witch, which was a hugely impressive entrance into the doom metal scene. We now have the band’s first full length album, and across 37 minutes the band prove that their first EP was no fluke. Frayle have got a real talent for their charismatic and atmospheric form of doom. Continue reading “Frayle – 1692 (Review)”

Godthrymm – Reflections (Review)

This is the debut album from UK doom metallers Godthrymm.

Featuring ex-members of bands such as Anathema, My Dying Bride, Solstice, and Vallenfyre, there’s a wealth of experience underpinning this release, and it’s used well. Continue reading “Godthrymm – Reflections (Review)”

Ihsahn – Telemark (Review)

This is the latest EP from Ihsahn, a legendary black, progressive, and experimental metal artist.

Containing 5 tracks, including two covers, (Iron Maiden and Lenny Kravitz), Ihsahn’s latest EP features 26 minutes showcasing the artist’s more aggressive side. Continue reading “Ihsahn – Telemark (Review)”

Blaze of Perdition – The Harrowing of Hearts (Review)

Blaze of Perdition are a Polish black metal band and this is their fifth album.

A new Blaze of Perdition album is always welcome, with both 2015’s Near Death Revelations and 2017’s Conscious Darkness setting high standards. Pleasingly, The Harrowing of Hearts doesn’t let the side down, and offers 51 minutes of quality material, including a Fields of the Nephilim cover that closes the album. Continue reading “Blaze of Perdition – The Harrowing of Hearts (Review)”

Plague – Portraits of Mind (Review)

Plague are a Greek death metal band and this is their debut album.

Plague are an old-school death metal band that take influence from the 90s American scene, but do so in such a way that they seem to make it their own. This is ultimately a chunky slab of timeless death metal, shot through with classic influences, as well as some modern ones too. Despite an obvious debt to the mighty Death, the music has its own personality and brutal charm that can’t be denied. Continue reading “Plague – Portraits of Mind (Review)”

Pénitence Onirique – Vestige (Review)

This is the second album from French black metallers Pénitence Onirique.

It seems like ages ago that V.I.T.R.I.O.L. came out, and it was 2016 I suppose. The record made an impression, so I’m pleased to now be presented with its successor Vestige; 53 minutes of new material. Continue reading “Pénitence Onirique – Vestige (Review)”

Sepultura – Quadra (Review)

Legendary Brazilian metal band Sepultura return with their fifteenth album.

In my humble opinion 2017’s Machine Messiah was the band’s best album since the iconic Roots, and it’s a release I’m still really enjoying now. With Quadra the band continue their upward ascent with another album of sterling quality, one that promises to have every bit of longevity that its predecessor had. Continue reading “Sepultura – Quadra (Review)”

Krosis – A Memoir of Free Will (Review)

This is the second album from Krosis, a deathcore band from the US.

Here we have the follow up to 2018’s Solem Vatem, and it’s a damn good one. While Solem Vatem was a solid, enjoyable release, A Memoir of Free Will finds the band levelling up in pretty much every area as far as I’m concerned. Continue reading “Krosis – A Memoir of Free Will (Review)”

Atavisma/Void Rot – Split (Review)

Atavisma and Void Rot are both death/doom bands, the former from France and the latter from the US.

I do so enjoy a good split, and this is exactly one such release. We start off with Atavisma, who offer 3 tracks lasting 15 minutes. Continue reading “Atavisma/Void Rot – Split (Review)”