August 2025 – Page 3 – Wonderbox Metal

Pelican/Ni – Yes (Pink Room), Manchester – 13/08/25 (Live Review)

Both Pelican and Ni are in the UK for ArcTanGent, (I’ll get there one day), so it’s a great opportunity to catch them doing their thing. I don’t know Ni at all, but I’ve been waiting to get the chance to see Pelican for over two decades (!), so am very excited.

Yes isn’t a venue I’ve been to before, but I like it. Melvins are also playing Manchester tonight, which is a bit of bad luck for both bands really, as I’m pretty sure there are more than a few shared fans between them. Regardless, those in attendance tonight are in the right place as it turns out. Continue reading “Pelican/Ni – Yes (Pink Room), Manchester – 13/08/25 (Live Review)”

Ashen – Leave the Flesh Behind (Review)

This is the second album from Australian death metallers Ashen.

Following on from 2023’s Ritual of Ash comes the 39-minute Leave the Flesh Behind. The Ashen death metal juggernaut continues to roll, crushing all in its path. This time though, there are more layers to Ashen’s assault. Continue reading “Ashen – Leave the Flesh Behind (Review)”

Turian – Blood Quantum Blues (Review)

This is the fourth album from US metallic hardcore band Turian.

Blood Quantum Blues contains 38 minutes of music that mixes together punk, metal, and hardcore, with electronics and progressive elements thrown in for extra flavour and texture. Turian have produced an album that rages and snarls, but does so with skill and ability. Continue reading “Turian – Blood Quantum Blues (Review)”

Castrator – Coronation of the Grotesque (Review)

Castrator are an international/US death metal band and this is their second album.

Containing a member of Gruesome, Castrator play ferocious death metal, and they mean business. Coronation of the Grotesque is a 33-minute whirlwind of devastation, (37 minutes with the bonus track – an Exodus cover). Continue reading “Castrator – Coronation of the Grotesque (Review)”

Grand Cadaver – The Rot Beneath (Review)

This is the latest EP by Swedish death metallers Grand Cadaver.

Both 2021’s Into the Maw of Death and 2023’s Deities of Deathlike Sleep were quality excursions into Swedish death metal waters, so it’s great to see Grand Cadaver back with this 16-minute EP. Continue reading “Grand Cadaver – The Rot Beneath (Review)”

Blackbraid – Blackbraid III (Review)

This is the third album from US black metal solo act Blackbraid.

Following on from 2022’s Blackbraid I and 2023’s Blackbraid II, Blackbraid III contains 52 minutes of music, (including a Lord Belial cover), and continues to meet the benchmark of high quality black metal that its predecessors set. Continue reading “Blackbraid – Blackbraid III (Review)”

Psycroptic/Ghost Bath/Underdark – Rebellion, Manchester – 02/08/25 (Live Review)

Psycroptic, Ghost Bath, and Underdark were originally part of a larger event, (with a pretty damn sexy lineup), that got cancelled for reasons unknown. In its place is this very enticing show, with only these three bands surviving the cut. It was a relatively late change, with the tickets not transferring, so I was hoping that this new event would have sold enough tickets in its own right to have a decent-sized crowd for the bands. Regardless of the turnout, I’ve been looking forward to this, Psycroptic especially, as I’ve never seen them and they’re one of the best tech death bands in existence. Continue reading “Psycroptic/Ghost Bath/Underdark – Rebellion, Manchester – 02/08/25 (Live Review)”

Malthusian – The Summoning Bell (Review)

This is the second album by Irish blackened death metallers Malthusian.

2018’s Across Deaths was a nightmarish, venomous first record from Malthusian, ably showcasing their hideous blackened death metal style. In 2022 we were gifted with Time’s Withering Shadow, their split with Suffering Hour, which was another impressive outing, for both bands concerned. Which brings us to the 54-minute The Summoning Bell. Have Malthusian continued their ascent from the bowels of the underworld? Continue reading “Malthusian – The Summoning Bell (Review)”

Suffocate for Fuck Sake – To Rest in the Trust, That Creates the World (Review)

This is the latest EP by Swedish post-hardcore band Suffocate for Fuck Sake.

This passed me by when it was released earlier in the year, but I’ve finally given it the time it deserves. To Rest in the Trust, That Creates the World contains one track, with a duration of 20 minutes, and it’s a pretty damn special piece. Continue reading “Suffocate for Fuck Sake – To Rest in the Trust, That Creates the World (Review)”

Haxprocess – Beyond What Eyes Can See (Review)

This is the second album from US death metal band Haxprocess.

Beyond What Eyes Can See contains 45 minutes of music divided into four epic songs. Haxprocess play progressive death metal, although that simple appellation doesn’t really due justice to what you’ll discover here. This record is a real beast. Continue reading “Haxprocess – Beyond What Eyes Can See (Review)”