Saltwound – The Temptation of Pain (Review)

Saltwound - The Temptation of PainSaltwound are a death/metalcore band from the US and this is their debut album.

The Temptation of Pain provides us with a brutal and intense hybrid form of deathcore and metalcore. Saltwound spend 29 minutes abusing and punishing with their destructive brand of heaviness. Continue reading “Saltwound – The Temptation of Pain (Review)”

Anomalie – Riverchild (Review)

Anomalie - RiverchildAnomalie are an Austrian post-black metal band and this is their fifth album.

Although I enjoyed 2017’s Visions, 2021’s Tranceformation took Anomalie to another level, ending up as a firm favourite of mine that year. As such, anticipation is high for the 54-minute Riverchild. Can Anomalie deliver the goods once more? Continue reading “Anomalie – Riverchild (Review)”

Lifesick – Loved by None, Hated by All (Review)

Lifesick - Loved by None, Hated by AllThis is the fourth album by Danish metallic hardcore band LIfesick.

I enjoyed Lifesick when I saw them earlier this year supporting Cabal, so knew I wanted to check out the 34 minutes of Loved by None, Hated by All when it appeared. Continue reading “Lifesick – Loved by None, Hated by All (Review)”

Shaarimoth – Devildom (Review)

Shaarimoth - DevildomThis is the third album from Shaarimoth, a blackened death metal band from Norway.

Shaarimoth return with Devildom, a new 43 minutes of material. After a considerable gap since their last album, (2017’s Temple of the Adversarial Fire), I knew I wanted to make sure I immersed myself in the band’s dark blackened death metal once more. Shaarimoth haven’t been totally absent though during that time though, as in 2021 they also contributed to a split release with Thy Darkened Shade, Amestigon and Inconcessus Lux Lucis called SamaeLilith: A Conjunction of the Fireborn. Continue reading “Shaarimoth – Devildom (Review)”

Dead Icarus – Zealot (Review)

Dead Icarus - ZealotThis is the debut album from US metal band Dead Icarus.

I thoroughly enjoyed Dead Icarus’ debut EP Ad Infernum, which brought the ex-singer of Atreyu’s charismatic vocals back to the world of heavy music. Now we have the 38-minute Zealot, and Dead Icarus, (who also contain members of Enterprise Earth and Whitechapel), are on fire. Continue reading “Dead Icarus – Zealot (Review)”

Frozen Crown – War Hearts (Review)

Frozen Crown - War HeartsFrozen Crown are an Italian power metal band and this is their fifth album.

Frozen Crown, a band I’d never heard of before last year’s excellent Call of the North, did the completely unexpected with that album and came out of nowhere and topped my end of year list. Now that we have War Hearts, especially so soon after its predecessor, I was apprehensive before listening to it; could lightning strike twice? Continue reading “Frozen Crown – War Hearts (Review)”

UK Slam Fest 2024 – Day Two: Saturday – Disavowed/Devangelic/Fulci/Anime Torment/Impurist/Anoxide/Spawned from Hate/Slug Gore/Colpocleisis/Type A Secretor – The Bread Shed, Manchester – 19/10/24 (Live Review)

UK Slam Fest 2024 - Day Two Saturday

Day two of UK Slam Fest. I couldn’t make day one unfortunately, but I had to make sure I was here for today. After all, it promises a glorious celebration of ugly heaviness. It’s brutal, fun, and had to be seen. The Bread Shed is not a venue I’ve been to before, but I like it and I’d happily come back here again.

Spoiler alert – this was a top day of brutality. Even Borat was in attendance, unexpectedly. Continue reading “UK Slam Fest 2024 – Day Two: Saturday – Disavowed/Devangelic/Fulci/Anime Torment/Impurist/Anoxide/Spawned from Hate/Slug Gore/Colpocleisis/Type A Secretor – The Bread Shed, Manchester – 19/10/24 (Live Review)”

Vomit Forth – Terrified of God (Review)

Vomit Forth - Terrified of GodThis is the second album from Vomit Forth, a death metal band from the US.

Following on from 2022’s ugly and brutal Seething MalevolenceTerrified of God contains 27 minutes of ferocious material. Vomit Forth’s new record is a hideous slab of nasty death metal carnage. Continue reading “Vomit Forth – Terrified of God (Review)”

Devin Townsend – PowerNerd (Review)

Devin Townsend - PowerNerdDevin Townsend is a prolific Canadian artist who has a vast and intimidating discography. Whatever he touches though is always individual and interesting, and frequently brilliant.

PowerNerd is a 44-minute progressive rock album that has apparently been born out of a desire by the artist to simplify his approach to songwriting. Continue reading “Devin Townsend – PowerNerd (Review)”