Ninkharsag – The Black Swords of Winter (Review)

Ninkharsag - The Black Swords of WinterThis is the latest EP from UK black metallers Ninkharsag.

This has been a long time coming. In a similar way to the recent Abduction album Existentialismus, I saw Ninkharsag play songs from this release live back in February 2024, but it’s only now seeing the light of day. Has it been worth the wait to hear Ninkharsag’s brand of melodic black metal once more? Continue reading “Ninkharsag – The Black Swords of Winter (Review)”

Corpus Offal – Corpus Offal (Review)

Corpus Offal - Corpus OffalCorpus Offal are a death metal band from the US and this is their debut album.

I had no idea that Cerebral Rot had split up. If you don’t know them, check out 2019’s Odious Descent into Decay and 2021’s Excretion of Mortality, both very fine slabs of hideous death metal. Why is this relevant here? Because Corpus Offal have arisen from the decayed corpse of Cerebral Rot – the guitarist and guitarist/vocalist have been vomited forth into this new incarnation, and they have brought a new bassist and drummer with them, (the former ex-Demoncy, the latter from Autophagy/Bell Witch). Continue reading “Corpus Offal – Corpus Offal (Review)”

Imperial Triumphant – Goldstar (Review)

Imperial Triumphant - GoldstarThis is the sixth album from US avant-garde black/death metal band Imperial Triumphant.

Imperial Triumphant always make a fascinating record. Check out any of their albums, (such as 2020’s Alphaville or 2022’s Spirit of Ecstasy and you’ll be in an unfamiliar world of avant-garde experimentation and gilded individuality. Continue reading “Imperial Triumphant – Goldstar (Review)”

Ghostsmoker – Inertia Cult (Review)

Ghostsmoker - Inertia CultThis is the debut album from Australian blackened doom/sludge band Ghostsmoker.

Playing a hideous stew of blackened sludge and doom metal, Ghostsmoker’s debut album Inertia Cult is a 42-minute endurance test – do you have what it takes to survive their onslaught of abrasive distortion and scathing darkness? Continue reading “Ghostsmoker – Inertia Cult (Review)”

Dissocia – To Lift the Veil (Review)

Dissocia - To Lift the VeilDissocia are a Spanish progressive metal band and this is their debut album.

Brought to us by current/ex-members of Aposento, Bizarre, Cancer, Eternal Storm, and Wormed, Dissocia play modern progressive metal, with elements of death metal incorporated into its cinematic whole. Across 41 minutes, To Lift the Veil makes its intentions known in no uncertain terms, and has an impact. Continue reading “Dissocia – To Lift the Veil (Review)”

Cabal – Everything Rots (Review)

Cabal - Everything RotsThis is the fourth album from Danish deathcore band Cabal.

I really like Cabal, so was well chuffed when Everything Rots appeared on the horizon like a gathering storm. 2020’s Drag Me Down and 2022’s Magno Interitus were both first class examples of deathcore heaviness. The latter showed a progression in the band’s sound too, reducing the blackened influences. What will the 38 minutes of new material on Everything Rots reveal? Continue reading “Cabal – Everything Rots (Review)”

Gates to Hell – Death Comes to All (Review)

Gates to Hell - Death Comes to AllThis is the second album from US death metal band Gates to Hell.

Gates to Hell play a form of death metal that’s been injected with hardcore urgency, grindcore intensity, and slamming heaviness. With ten songs in 21 minutes, Death Comes to All wastes little time and gives the listener a brutally good time. Continue reading “Gates to Hell – Death Comes to All (Review)”

Osgraef – Reveries of the Arcane Eye (Review)

Osgraef - Reveries of the Arcane EyeOsgraef are a black/death metal band and this is their debut album.

Osgraef mix black, death, doom, and war metal into a 42-minute expression of mysterious brutality. Reveries of the Arcane Eye is a ball of raging potency and deep obscure atmosphere. Continue reading “Osgraef – Reveries of the Arcane Eye (Review)”