New year, new metal. What did January have to offer? More than it usually does, it turns out. Let’s take a look at five of the best… Continue reading “Monthly Overview – the Best of January 2021”
Author: wonderboxmetal
The Ruins of Beverast – The Thule Grimoires (Review)
This is the sixth album from one-man German black/doom metal metal band The Ruins of Beverast.
The Ruins of Beverast’s music is an intriguing and exotic combination of atmospheric black and doom metal. Okay, so what’s so exotic about it, you might ask? Well, it’s the artist’s sublime ability to combine lesser-heard influences, (an occasional touch of Continue reading “The Ruins of Beverast – The Thule Grimoires (Review)”
Oceana – The Pattern (Review)
Oceana are a progressive metal band from Italy and this is their debut album.
As an introductory description of The Pattern, I’m just going to be lazy and quite the promo blurb – “The intent was to mix progressive metal elements with European-style death doom. Influences, from a musical point of view, range from Edge of Sanity to Katatonia, from Paradise Lost to Duran Duran, from Metallica to Dream Theater, in a Continue reading “Oceana – The Pattern (Review)”
Portrayal of Guilt – We Are Always Alone (Review)
Portrayal of Guilt are a blackened hardcore band from the US and this is their second album.
And now for 26 minutes of grim darkness and murderous brutality. Portrayal of Guilt play the sort of ultra-nasty hardcore that can lacerate flesh at 1000 paces. Mixing together blistering hardcore and angry punk with a blackened sheen, this is not for the faint of heart. Continue reading “Portrayal of Guilt – We Are Always Alone (Review)”
Splendidula – Somnus (Review)
This is the third album from Splendidula, a doom/sludge metal band from Belgium.
There are a few different ingredients that go into the Splendidula sound. Traditional doom metal is an obvious one. This provides for the creation of a firm underpinning bedrock for the songs to be created around, one which allows emotion and Continue reading “Splendidula – Somnus (Review)”
Starer – 18° Below the Horizon (Review)
This is the debut album from Starer, a one-man black metal band from the US.
Brought to us by a member of Bihargam, Starer is a different proposition from that band, and offers 45 minutes of modern darkness for the listener to become absorbed by. Continue reading “Starer – 18° Below the Horizon (Review)”
Eximperitus – Šahrartu (Review)
Eximperitus, (full name – Eximperituserqethhzebibšiptugakkathšulweliarzaxułum), are a death metal band from Belarus, and this is their second album.
Eximperitus play technical death metal delivered with occult trappings, resulting in a 39-minute journey into an extremely high quality and well-defined world. If you’re a fan of bands like Nile, then this is definitely one to check out. Continue reading “Eximperitus – Šahrartu (Review)”
The Body – I’ve Seen All I Need to See (Review)
This is the eighth album from US experimental sludge band The Body.
You never quite know what you’re going to get with The Body. I’ve Seen All I Need to See contains 38 minutes of experimental music that focuses on an exploration of distortion and of the live aspect of the band’s sound. This means Continue reading “The Body – I’ve Seen All I Need to See (Review)”
Virulence of Misconduct – Infected (Review)
This is the debut album from international brutal deathcore band Virulence of Misconduct.
Infected comes roaring out of the underground like a possessed daemon in a bloodthirsty rage. It’s only 25 minutes long, but that’s all you need when you’re selling this sort of thundering slam. Continue reading “Virulence of Misconduct – Infected (Review)”
Altered Dead – Returned to Life (Review)
This is the second album from Canadian death metal act Altered Dead.
Altered Dead play old-school death metal that’s raw, filthy, and exceedingly nasty. Rising from the underground like some form of malformed monster, Returned to Life is a 35-minute slab of ugly death metal that is highly enjoyable. Continue reading “Altered Dead – Returned to Life (Review)”
