wonderboxmetal

Standard Interrogation Techniques: Five Questions for Armed for Apocalypse (Interview)

Although I’d ideally love to be able to conduct hard-hitting, in-depth interviews, who has the time these days? In lieu of this, I’ve thrown together the below question template, hopefully to gather some interesting and informative results, without taking up too much of anyone’s time.

Introduce yourself – who are you and what do you do?

I’m Cayle Hunter and I play guitar in Armed for Apocalypse. Continue reading “Standard Interrogation Techniques: Five Questions for Armed for Apocalypse (Interview)”

Iffernet – Silences (Review)

This is the second album from French black metal band Iffernet.

Silences assaults the listener with 38 minutes of underground black metal. It’s harsh and unforgiving, but isn’t lacking in finesse or nuance. The promo blurb mentions Weakling, Urfaust, and Fluisteraars, which should give a rough idea of what we’re dealing with here. Continue reading “Iffernet – Silences (Review)”

Osyron – Momentous (Review)

This is the third album from Canadian progressive metallers Osyron.

Osyron play a form of progressive metal that takes influence from both old and new. There are elements of classic power and heavy metal, alongside newer, heavier, modern metal influences, Continue reading “Osyron – Momentous (Review)”

Black Anvil – Regenesis (Review)

This is the fifth album from US black metal band Black Anvil.

2014’s Hail Death and 2017’s As Was were both enjoyable records that made an impact. The latter took the band in increasingly atmospheric and progressive directions, so what does the 50-minute Regenesis offer? Continue reading “Black Anvil – Regenesis (Review)”

Disillusion – Ayam (Review)

This is the fourth album from German progressive metal band Disillusion.

Ayam offers 59 minutes of idiosyncratic progressive metal. Highly melodic, with atmospheric, symphonic, and avant-garde touches, Disillusion have created a big, epic album, in more ways than one. Continue reading “Disillusion – Ayam (Review)”

Ingested – Ashes Lie Still (Review)

This is the sixth album from UK death metallers Ingested.

Ingested’s albums are always good for some brutal bloodthirsty fun – check out 2018’s The Level Above Human and 2020’s Where Only Gods May Tread for two prime examples. This new album offers a 44-minute rebirth of sorts, with the band broadening their sound, but without losing what made them so enjoyable in the first place. Continue reading “Ingested – Ashes Lie Still (Review)”

Exordium Mors – As Legends Fade and Gods Die (Review)

This is the second album from Exordium Mors, a black metal band from New Zealand.

It has been eight long years since 2014’s The Apotheosis of Death, but now Exordium Mors have returned triumphant with the 43-minute As Legends Fade and Gods Die. Continue reading “Exordium Mors – As Legends Fade and Gods Die (Review)”

Mord’A’Stigmata – Like Ants and Snakes (Review)

Mord’A’Stigmata are an avant-garde rock band from Poland and this is their sixth album.

Dreams of Quiet Places was a highlight of 2019 for me, so it’s with great anticipation that I turned to Like Ants and Snakes. I also thoroughly enjoyed 2013’s Ansia and 2017’s Hope, so Mord’A’Stigmata are a band with a great track record of strong album. Has their new one lived up to my lofty expectations? Continue reading “Mord’A’Stigmata – Like Ants and Snakes (Review)”

Devenial Verdict – Ash Blind (Review)

This is the debut album from Finnish death metallers Devenial Verdict.

Containing an ex-member of Hooded Menace, Ash Blind provides the listener with 44 minutes of atypical death metal. The promo blurb recommends this for fans of acts such as Ulcerate, Aeviterne, Morbid Angel, Mithras, and Blut Aus Nord, which is a good place to start from when approaching Ash Blind. To this list I’ll also add older Rivers of Nihil and Gojira. Continue reading “Devenial Verdict – Ash Blind (Review)”

Jordfäst – Av Stoft (Review)

This is the second album from Swedish black metallers Jordfäst.

Av Stoft contains just two tracks, the first of which lasts 16 minutes, and the next 17 minutes. During these two lengthy songs we are taken on an epic, windswept journey into Jordfäst’s world.

If you think of bands such as Skagos, Ulver, Primordial, Wolves in the Throne Room, Bathory, and Skogen, (the singer of which guests here), you’ll have a rough idea of what Av Stoft contains. Continue reading “Jordfäst – Av Stoft (Review)”