Pridian – Venetian Dark (Review)

Pridian - Venetian DarkThis is the debut album from Estonian modern metallers Pridian.

Venetian Dark is a 44-minute contemporary metal album that ably showcases Pridian’s skillset. The band’s music is an amalgam of metalcore, nu-metal, djent, and progressive metal. Think a mix of acts such as Meshuggah, Tesseract, Mnemic, Spiritbox, Gojira, and Make Them Suffer, as a rough starting point. Continue reading “Pridian – Venetian Dark (Review)”

Unmerciful – Devouring Darkness (Review)

Unmerciful - Devouring DarknessUnmerciful are a US death metal band and this is their fourth album.

It’s not too often a new Unmerciful album rolls around, but when it does, (2016’s Ravenous Impulse, 2020’s Wrath Encompassed), it’s always a tasty treat of death metal. Devouring Darkness is a 38-minute monster – ten tracks of unrelenting brutality, (which includes an Origin cover). Continue reading “Unmerciful – Devouring Darkness (Review)”

Full of Hell – Broken Sword, Rotten Shield (Review)

Full of Hell - Broken Sword, Rotten ShieldThis is the latest EP from US grindcore band Full of Hell.

A new 15 minutes of Full of Hell‘s scathingly charismatic grindcore? Hell yes! Broken Sword, Rotten Shield is a compendium of different influences, all brought together with the band’s consummate skill into seven adventurous tracks. It’s harsh, but delightful. Continue reading “Full of Hell – Broken Sword, Rotten Shield (Review)”

…And Oceans – The Regeneration Itinerary (Review)

...And Oceans - The Regeneration ItineraryThis is the seventh album from Finnish black metallers …And Oceans.

I thoroughly enjoyed 2023’s As in Gardens, so in Tombs, so I’ve been eagerly awaiting The Regeneration Journey. On their new album, …And Oceans deliver 47 minutes, (54 minutes with the bonus tracks), of their compelling black metal. Buckle up, as it’s going to be a furious ride. Continue reading “…And Oceans – The Regeneration Itinerary (Review)”

Escarnium – Inexorable Entropy (Review)

Escarnium - Inexorable EntropyThis is the fourth album from Brazilian death metallers Escarnium.

Inexorable Entropy contains 31 minutes of ferocious death metal brutality. Escarnium’s furious assault is a satisfying and enjoyable one. Continue reading “Escarnium – Inexorable Entropy (Review)”

AAWKS – On Through the Sky Maze (Review)

AAWKS - On Through the Sky MazeAAWKS are a Canadian doom band and this is their second album.

Up until now my first and only encounter with AAWKS was on their enjoyable split with Aiwass from 2023. I almost missed this one, until a friend recommended it, and here we are. On Through the Sky Maze delivers 48 minutes of occult psychedelic doom metal for us to devour, and it tastes damn good. Continue reading “AAWKS – On Through the Sky Maze (Review)”

Hexekration Rites – Misanthropic Path of Carnal Deliverance (Review)

Hexekration Rites - Misanthropic Path of Carnal DeliveranceThis is the debut album from French blackened death metal band Hexekration Rites.

Brought to us by an ex-member of Azziard, Hexekration Rites play a darkly brutal mix of black and death metal. Misanthropic Path of Carnal Deliverance is a 44-minute record that will destroy everything around you quite convincingly. Continue reading “Hexekration Rites – Misanthropic Path of Carnal Deliverance (Review)”

Labyrinthus Stellarum – Rift in Reality (Review)

Labyrinthus Stellarum - Rift in RealityLabyrinthus Stellarum are a black metal band from Ukraine and this is their third album.

Rift in Reality contains 37 minutes of engaging black metal with a sci-fi theme. Labyrinthus Stellarum play black metal that’s enhanced with electronic elements and extraterrestrial keyboards. Overall it’s a mix of melodic, atmospheric, and industrial black metal, although There are actually a few other styles mixed into the DNA of this too, including a bit of symphonic deathcore, to name just one. Continue reading “Labyrinthus Stellarum – Rift in Reality (Review)”

Drouth – The Teeth of Time (Review)

Drouth - The Teeth of TimeThis is the second album from US black/death metal band Drouth.

It’s been five long years since 2020’s Excerpts from a Dread Liturgy, but now Drouth are back, with a new bassist in tow, (current/ex-Cormorant/Ursa). So, let’s turn our attention to the five new songs we have here in the form of the 41-minute The Teeth of Time. Continue reading “Drouth – The Teeth of Time (Review)”