This is the seventh album from French post-black metallers Alcest.
Les Chants de l’Aurore contains 44 minutes of new music from the legendary Alcest. This is a band that many people hold a special place in their heart for, and a new album is a big deal in certain circles. So the question is, have Alcest delivered or disappointed? Continue reading “Alcest – Les Chants de l’Aurore (Review)”
This is the second album from Sijjeel, a death metal band from Saudi Arabia.
Returning to dish out more punishment after 2022’s brutal Salvation Within Insanity, Sijjeel are back with an even bigger hammer to smash in your ungrateful face with. Yep, it’s time for another slab of crushing death metal, so prepare to get smushed. Continue reading “Sijjeel – Affiliation of Horrid Containment (Review)”
Noxis are a death metal band from the US and this is their debut album.
Violence Inherent in the System contains 49 minutes, (with the bonus track), of mayhem. While it’s on the longer side for a death metal album, the quantity is backed up by the quality. Continue reading “Noxis – Violence Inherent in the System (Review)”
This is the fourth album form Spanish death metallers Aposento.
I enjoyed 2014’s Aposento and 2017’s Bleed to Death, although I missed 2020’s Conjuring the New Apocalypse. Aposento are now back, with an almost entirely new lineup, and 34 minutes of music in the form of the muscular No Safe Haven. Continue reading “Aposento – No Safe Haven (Review)”
This is the debut album from German black metal band Nimbifer.
I unfortunately missed this record when it came out in April, but there have been enough rumblings about it that I wanted to check it out. I’m glad I did. Der Böse Geist contains 36 minutes of raw black metal, and it’s a real underground gem. Continue reading “Nimbifer – Der Böse Geist (Review)”
Ende are a French black metal band and this is their sixth album.
I always like being able to catch up with Ende’s work. If you’re unfamiliar with the band, make sure you check out 2015’s The Rebirth of I, 2017’s Emën Etan, or 2018’s Goétie Funeste, (or indeed any of their other work), and you’ll be assured of encountering an album of traditional black metal that’s worth your time. Which brings us to the 41 minutes of new material on L’aube des Anathèmes; has Ende’s quality streak continued? Continue reading “Ende – L’aube des Anathèmes (Review)”
Crystal Viper are a Polish heavy metal band and this is their ninth album.
Despite being nine albums into their career, this is my first encounter with Crystal Viper. Containing 11 tracks of classic heavy metal, The Silver Key is 47 minutes, (with the Bathory cover song), of solid, old-fashioned metal. Continue reading “Crystal Viper – The Silver Key (Review)”
This is the second album from US death metallers 200 Stab Wounds.
With a name like 200 Stab Wounds, you know this is going to be brutal, and if you weren’t sure, then the album cover would surely confirm it. Manual Manic Procedures contains 29 minutes of bloodthirsty cruelty, and if you’re a death metal fan then it’s an easy album to enjoy getting punched around by. Continue reading “200 Stab Wounds – Manual Manic Procedures (Review)”
This is the second album from Pijn, a post-rock/metal band from the UK.
From Low Beams of Hope is a four-track, 45-minute affair that merges elements of post-rock, post-metal, ambient, drone, and doom into an expressive whole. It’s an instrumental release, and should find great appeal with fans of acts such as Mogwai, Briqueville, Explosions in the Sky, Years of Rice & Salt, A Burial at Sea, Russian Circles, Red Sparowes, Pelican, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, etc. Continue reading “Pijn – From Low Beams of Hope (Review)”
This is the fourth album from UK black metal band Aklash.
According to the promo blurb, Aklash “…cite Drudkh, Wolves in the Throne Room, and Judas Priest as key influences”, which sounds like an interesting enough mix to me to merit further investigation. That description doesn’t quite do Reincarnation justice though, as Aklash’s music is diverse and rich. Continue reading “Aklash – Reincarnation (Review)”
Wonderbox Metal 