Hour of Penance – Devotion (Review)

Hour of Penance - DevotionThis is the ninth album from Italian death metallers Hour of Penance.

I always enjoy a bit of Hour of Penance’s brutality. Devotion follows on from 2017’s Cast the First Stone and 2019’s Misotheism, delivering 38 minutes of textured death metal destruction. Continue reading “Hour of Penance – Devotion (Review)”

Funeral Leech – The Illusion of Time (Review)

Funeral Leech - The Illusion of TimeFuneral Leech are a death/doom metal band from the US and this is their second album.

I enjoyed 2020’s Death Meditation, so knew I didn’t want to miss out on hearing The Illusion of Time. I’m glad I didn’t either, as this is a damn fine album. Continue reading “Funeral Leech – The Illusion of Time (Review)”

Witch Vomit – Funeral Sanctum (Review)

Witch Vomit - Funeral SanctumThis is the third album from US death metal band Witch Vomit.

Witch Vomit are such an enjoyable band, and I really liked the filthy, gruesome old-school rot of A Scream from the Tomb BelowPoisoned Blood, and Buried Deep in a Bottomless Grave. But wait, change is afoot in the Witch Vomit camp. What does that mean for the 31 minutes of Funeral Sanctum? Continue reading “Witch Vomit – Funeral Sanctum (Review)”

Diabolic Oath – Oracular Hexations (Review)

Diabolic Oath - Oracular HexationsThis is the second album from US black/death metal band Diabolic Oath.

After enjoying Diabolic Oath’s Divinations split with Aberration not so long ago, I’m both surprised and pleased that Oracular Hexations has come along so quickly. Clocking in at 36 minutes, it’s a violent, barbaric mix of brutal black metal and hideous death metal. Continue reading “Diabolic Oath – Oracular Hexations (Review)”

Iron Monkey – Spleen & Goad (Review)

Iron Monkey - Spleen & GoadIron Monkey are sludge metal band from the UK and this is their fourth album.

2017 now seems a very long time ago, but that was when Iron Monkey returned to spread their sonic violence with 9-13. I didn’t think we’d hear from them again after so much time, but it shows what I know, as now Spleen & Goad is here to kick us in the teeth and rearrange our internal organs. Continue reading “Iron Monkey – Spleen & Goad (Review)”

Acid Mammoth – Supersonic Megafauna Collision (Review)

Acid Mammoth - Supersonic Megafauna CollisionThis is the fourth album from Greek doom metallers Acid Mammoth.

I enjoyed 2021’s lumbering Caravan, so was pleased when the enormous snout of Supersonic Megafauna Collision appeared on the horizon. Delivering 42 minutes of new material, Acid Mammoth double down on their personable brand of doomgroove across these six new songs. Continue reading “Acid Mammoth – Supersonic Megafauna Collision (Review)”

Kvadrat – The Horrible Dissonance of Oblivion (Review)

Kvadrat - The Horrible Dissonance of OblivionThis is the debut album from Greek black/death metal band Kvadrat.

The Horrible Dissonance of Oblivion is a 44-minute leviathan that swims through dark, dissonant waters with the self-assured skill of an apex predator. Combining black and death metal into a monster of dissonant nightmare, the artist behind Kvadrat’s skill in delivering this style is impressive and rewarding. Continue reading “Kvadrat – The Horrible Dissonance of Oblivion (Review)”

Mountain Shadow – Mountain Shadow (Review)

Mountain ShadowThis is the debut album from US black metal band Mountain Shadow.

Mountain Shadow play atmospheric black metal and their self titled record contains 53 minutes of material. It might not be what you’re expecting though, as Mountain Shadow have created something a little different in some ways on these eight tracks. Continue reading “Mountain Shadow – Mountain Shadow (Review)”

Verwoed – The Mother (Review)

Verwoed - The MotherThis is the second album from Dutch black metal solo act Verwoed.

Drawn in by the evocative cover art, I approached The Mother with expectations of dark splendour and vicious aggression. I soon found more than I had bargained for, as the artist behind Verwoed took me on a multifaceted 44-minute journey into the sort of black metal waters that are normally best avoided due to how vibrant, otherworldly, and treacherous they are. Continue reading “Verwoed – The Mother (Review)”

Vorga – Beyond the Palest Star (Review)

Vorga - Beyond the Palest StarThis is the second album from Vorga, a German black metal band.

With 2022’s Striving Toward Oblivion Vorga made a notable impact in the world of melodic black metal. Now they’re back with Beyond the Palest Star, which delivers another sci-fi trip through 43 minutes of sharp melodic aggression. Continue reading “Vorga – Beyond the Palest Star (Review)”