February 2025 – Page 2 – Wonderbox Metal

Sepulchral Curse – Crimson Moon Evocations (Review)

This is the third album from Sepulchral Curse, a Finnish death metal band.

Sepulchral Curse have never let me down yet. Ever since discovering their dark brand of extremity on their 2016 EP At the Onset of Extinction, they have loomed large in my mind as quality purveyors of blackened death metal. Their first two albums – 2020’s Only Ashes Remain and 2023’s Abhorrent Dimensions – were both extremely enjoyable, so we turn to their third one with great expectations. Continue reading “Sepulchral Curse – Crimson Moon Evocations (Review)”

Havukruunu – Tavastland (Review)

Havukruunu are a Finnish black metal band and this is their fourth album.

Tavastland is the 54-minute follow up to 2020’s well-regarded Uinuos Syömein Sota, and is an album I’ve been looking forward to hearing. Havukruunu play black metal with heavy, folk, and pagan metal influences, and their latest record continues their ascent. Continue reading “Havukruunu – Tavastland (Review)”

Celestial Scourge – Observers of the Inevitable (Review)

Celestial Scourge are a Norwegian death metal band and this is their debut album.

Featuring members of Blood Red Throne and Deception, Celestial Scourge are here to destroy. Observers of the Inevitable contains 30 minutes of brutal technical death metal, and it’s a raging mass of controlled savagery. Continue reading “Celestial Scourge – Observers of the Inevitable (Review)”

Gràb – Kremess (Review)

Gràb are a German black metal band and this is their second album.

Containing ex-members of Dark Fortress and Winterfylleth, Gràb play classic black metal with a heart that belongs to the 90s. They do this it exceedingly well too. Continue reading “Gràb – Kremess (Review)”

Pissgrave – Malignant Worthlessness (Review)

This is the third album from US death metallers Pissgrave.

Malignant Worthlessness contains 31 minutes of foul death metal extremity. It’s intense and brutal, but not delivered without skill. For all the rampant aggression and disgusting brutality on display, Pissgrave also know how to write a death metal song that hits the spot. Continue reading “Pissgrave – Malignant Worthlessness (Review)”

Necronomicon ex Mortis/Bloodfeast Ritual – You’ve Got Red on You – Split (Review)

Necronomicon ex Mortis and Bloodfeast Ritual are both US death metal bands, and they have teamed up for this split release.

Bloodfeast Ritual share a guitarist with Necronomicon ex Mortis, and deliver two songs to start off the split, with a total duration of 14 minutes. Continue reading “Necronomicon ex Mortis/Bloodfeast Ritual – You’ve Got Red on You – Split (Review)”

Old Skin – Wails of Ten Thousand (Review)

This is the debut album from US sludge band Old Skin.

Wails of Ten Thousand is a 28-minute beast of crushingly filthy sludge metal nastiness. The promo blurb states that it is for fans of bans like Eyehategod, Fistula, and Coffins, and that it contains noise and death metal elements. Sold! At least in theory. In practice, is it actually any good? Continue reading “Old Skin – Wails of Ten Thousand (Review)”

Cross Bringer – Healismus Aeternus (Review)

Cross Bringer are a black metal band from Russia and this is their second album.

Brought to us by the singer of Predatory Void and the drummer of Downfall of Gaia, Healismus Aeternus contains 27 minutes of scathing modern black metal. Taking influences from post-black metal, blackened hardcore, and crust, and building them into a whirlwind of intricate ferocity, Healismus Aeternus is a rewarding album that should find favour with fans of bands such as Black Birch, Celeste, Hexis, Rorcal, Still, The Sun’s Journey Through the Night, and Wiegedood. Continue reading “Cross Bringer – Healismus Aeternus (Review)”

Wren – Black Rain Falls (Review)

Wren are a UK sludge/post-metal band and this is their third album.

I was introduced to Wren on their 2015 split with Irk, and I’ve been a fan ever since. They followed that with the enjoyable EP Host in 2016, and then by their debut full length, (and particular favourite of mine), Auburn Rule in 2017. Groundswells followed in 2020, and continued their string of quality releases. Which brings us up to date with the 36-minute Black Rain Falls. Continue reading “Wren – Black Rain Falls (Review)”

Abduction – Existentialismus (Review)

This is the fifth album from Abduction, a UK black metal band.

So, Abduction played this album live in full way back in February of 2024. It has been what feels like an age since then, so it’s great to finally get my grubby paws on it. And do you know what? This is some seriously good stuff. Continue reading “Abduction – Existentialismus (Review)”