October 2025 – Page 3 – Wonderbox Metal

An Abstract Illusion – The Sleeping City (Review)

This is the third album from Swedish atmospheric death metal band An Abstract Illusion.

Now here’s a very highly anticipated album. The Sleeping City is An Abstract Illusion’s follow up to their highly acclaimed 2022 album Woe, which was so good it made it onto my year end list. Yes, expectations are high for this record, but there’s also trepidation too – how can An Abstract Illusion possibly meet the high standards they have now set for themselves? Continue reading “An Abstract Illusion – The Sleeping City (Review)”

Sanity’s Rage – The Dead Don’t Run (Review)

This is the second album from Belgian thrash metallers Sanity’s Rage.

Way back in 2012 I encountered You Are What You Swallow, and I liked it a great deal. Over the years, it’s stood up well, and always reminds me that thrash metal can still be hugely enjoyable when played well. Then after that, nothing. No idea why. But now, unexpectedly, something. The Dead Don’t Run, in fact; 47-minutes of well-written, well-built thrash metal. Continue reading “Sanity’s Rage – The Dead Don’t Run (Review)”

Greyhaven – Keep It Quiet (Review)

This is the fourth album from Greyhaven, a hardcore band from the US.

I’ve been looking forward to this. 2022’s This Bright and Beautiful World placed second from the very top on my end of year list, and I loved catching them live at the start of the year. So, with this much expectation, is disappointment inevitable, or can the 41 minutes of music on Keep it Quiet rise to the challenge? Continue reading “Greyhaven – Keep It Quiet (Review)”

Blood Incantation/Oranssi Pazuzu – Albert Hall, Manchester – 08/10/25 (Live Review)

One of the hottest bands around at the moment, (for good reason), playing in a venue I haven’t been to before, supported by another great band I’ve really wanted to see? Hard to pass up. So here we are, Blood Incantation and Oranssi Pazuzu at Manchester’s Albert Hall. Win. Continue reading “Blood Incantation/Oranssi Pazuzu – Albert Hall, Manchester – 08/10/25 (Live Review)”

Vespéral – La Mort de l’Âme (Review)

This is the second album by Canadian black metal band Vespéral.

La Mort de l’Âme contains 41 minutes of black metal, brought to us in part by members of Conifère. I wasn’t consciously aware of Vespéral before they were announced to play the mighty Fortress Festival next year, although I’ve definitely seen their logo and album art before, somewhere, somehow. Continue reading “Vespéral – La Mort de l’Âme (Review)”

Hæresis – Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum (Review)

This is the debut album by German post-black metallers Hæresis.

Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum contains four tracks, with a duration of 41 minutes in total. Hæresis offer up a feast of foreboding hostility, and will ably reward anyone into acts such as Akhlys, Black Birch, Der Weg Einer Freiheit, Terzij de Horde, This Gift Is a Curse, Ultha, and Wiegedood. Continue reading “Hæresis – Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum (Review)”

Starer – Ancient Monuments and Modern Sadness (Review)

This is the fourth album from Starer, a one-man black metal band from the US.

Since appearing out of nowhere with the wonderful 18° Below the Horizon in 2021, the artist behind Starer has been busy. We’ve had two subsequent full lengths, (2022’s The What It Is to Be and 2023’s Wind, Breeze, or Breath), and a plethora of other smaller releases. he’s now back with the 49-minute Ancient Monuments and Modern Sadness, and it’s a cracking record. Continue reading “Starer – Ancient Monuments and Modern Sadness (Review)”

Les Bâtards du Roi – Les Chemins de L’Exil (Review)

Les Bâtards du Roi are a French black metal band and this is their second album.

Les Bâtards du Roi play melodic black metal with a medieval theme. Les Chemins de L’Exil brings us 47 minutes of material, and it’s pretty damn good. Actually, that’s an understatement – this is exceptional, and stands out from the average black metal release noticeably. Continue reading “Les Bâtards du Roi – Les Chemins de L’Exil (Review)”

Terzij de Horde – Our Breath Is Not Ours Alone (Review)

Terzij de Horde are a black metal band from the Netherlands and this is their third album.

Whether it’s 2015’s Self or 2022’s In One of These, I Am Your Enemy, Terzij de Horde being the intensity. Now they’re back, sooner than expected, with the 43-minute Our Breath Is Not Ours Alone, and it absolutely rages. Continue reading “Terzij de Horde – Our Breath Is Not Ours Alone (Review)”

Sanguisugabogg – Hideous Aftermath (Review)

Sanguisugabogg are a death metal band from the US and this is their third album.

Following on from 2023’s Homicidal Ecstasy comes the 48-minute Hideous Aftermath. Sanguisugabogg have created a limbering death metal monster. Laying bloody waste to all around it, it’s ridiculously enjoyable and well-crafted. Yep, this beats Homicidal Ecstasy to death and revels in its destruction. As much as I liked that record, this is superior in every way that counts. Continue reading “Sanguisugabogg – Hideous Aftermath (Review)”