November 2023 – Page 2 – Wonderbox Metal

Midnight Odyssey – Biolume Part 3 – A Fullmoon Madness (Review)

This is the eighth album from Australian one-man black metal act Midnight Odyssey.

Here it is, the one we’ve all been waiting for – the third and final part of the Biolume trilogy. Emerging from the long, deep shadows of 2015’s Shards of Silver Fade, 2019’s Biolume Part 1 – In Tartarean Chains, and 2021’s Biolume Part 2 – The Golden Orb, how can Biolume Part 3: A Fullmoon Madness possibly compare? After all, all three of the aforementioned releases either made it into my end of year list in the top five, (here), or the coveted top spot, (here and here). How does this one one fare? Continue reading “Midnight Odyssey – Biolume Part 3 – A Fullmoon Madness (Review)”

Délétère – Songes d’une Nuit Souillée (Review)

This is the third album from Canadian black metallers Délétère.

Songes d’une Nuit Souillée contains 43 minutes of black metal played with passion and skill. It takes a traditional black metal base and puts an individual spin on it. Continue reading “Délétère – Songes d’une Nuit Souillée (Review)”

Distention – Nothing Comes from Death (Review)

This is the debut album from US death metal band Distention.

Featuring current and ex-members of bands such as Equipoise, Rivers of Nihil, The Kennedy Veil, The Last Ten Seconds of Life, and Virulent Depravity, you know a lot of experience has gone into the 30 minutes of brutal material on Nothing Comes from Death, and it shows. Continue reading “Distention – Nothing Comes from Death (Review)”

Bury Them and Keep Quiet/Lust Hag – Split (Review)

This is a split between two solo US black metal acts – Bury Them and Keep Quiet and Lust Hag.

Bury Them and Keep Quiet start us off with two tracks, with a total duration of 14 minutes. Continue reading “Bury Them and Keep Quiet/Lust Hag – Split (Review)”

Underdark – Managed Decline (Review)

Underdark are a post-black metal band from the UK and this is their second album.

Following on from 2021’s Our Bodies Burned Bright on Re-Entry, Underdark have now returned with the 41-minute Managed Decline. Continue reading “Underdark – Managed Decline (Review)”

Stortregn – Finitude (Review)

Stortregn are a black/death metal band from Switzerland and this is their sixth album.

Well, this is an impressive beast. If you’re looking for a feast of riffs, technicality, and melody, then look no further than Finitude. It boasts 43 minutes of the stuff, and it’s a real scorcher. Continue reading “Stortregn – Finitude (Review)”

Omnivortex – Circulate (Review)

Omnivortex are a Finnish death metal band and this is their second album.

Circulate is a 44-minute juggernaut of technical death metal, presented as a emotively textured work that bleeds quality and class. Omnivortex reveal themselves to be a distinct cut above the average, and Circulate is extremely enjoyable and satisfying because of this. Continue reading “Omnivortex – Circulate (Review)”

Amalekim – Avodah Zarah (Review)

This is the second album from international black metal band Amalekim.

Avodah Zarah offers up 46 minutes of melodic black metal for listeners to enjoy, and enjoy we do. Amalekim’s music is gripping stuff. Continue reading “Amalekim – Avodah Zarah (Review)”

Neurectomy – Overwrought (Review)

This is the debut album from US death metal band Neurectomy.

Overwrought contains 32 minutes of technical death metal and Neurectomy boasts the drummer of Origin in their ranks. Strap in safely, because Neurectomy are about to take you on a ferocious ride. Continue reading “Neurectomy – Overwrought (Review)”

Ritual Clearing – Penitence (Review)

This is the debut album from US black metallers Ritual Clearing.

Penitence contains 38 minutes of dark hostility. This is black metal that’s raw and hateful, delivering aggressive music shrouded in blades, spikes, and darkness. Ritual Clearing are ones to watch. Continue reading “Ritual Clearing – Penitence (Review)”