1914 – Viribus Unitis (Review)

1914 - Viribus Unitis1914 are a Ukrainian blackened death/doom band and this is their fourth album.

It’s great to have a new album from this well-regarded band, (check out some of their past work here, here, and here). Containing 57 minutes of new material, Veribus Unitis is 1914’s most absorbing work yet. Continue reading “1914 – Viribus Unitis (Review)”

The Hyena Kill – Collapse (Review)

The Hyena Kill - CollapseThe Hyena Kill are an alternative rock band from the UK and this is their second album.

I really liked 2021’s A Disconnect, so was pleased to see Collapse appear. The Hyena Kill have produced another 55 minutes of music for me to salivate over, and salivate I do, as this is very tasty stuff. Continue reading “The Hyena Kill – Collapse (Review)”

Lamp of Murmuur – The Dreaming Prince in Ecstasy (Review)

Lamp of Murmuur - The Dreaming Prince in EcstasyThis is the fourth album from US solo black metal band Lamp of Murmuur.

The Dreaming Prince in Ecstasy is the follow up to 2023’s well-received Saturnian Bloodstorm. The latter was a record that only improved over time, and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing songs from it, (and other releases), performed live when I saw Lamp of Murmuur at 2024’s Fortress Festival. All of this is to say, I’ve been looking forward to this new record. Continue reading “Lamp of Murmuur – The Dreaming Prince in Ecstasy (Review)”

Chairmaker – Leviathan Carcass (Review)

Chairmaker - Leviathan CarcassThis is the debut album from UK solo grindcore band Chairmaker.

When an album is recommended for fans of Pig Destroyer and Agoraphobic Nosebleed, I have to at least spare it more than a cursory glance. What I discovered when I did was an utterly brutal 14-minute grindcore explosion. Yep, that’s me sold. Continue reading “Chairmaker – Leviathan Carcass (Review)”

Bell Witch and Aerial Ruin – Stygian Bough Volume II (Review)

Bell Witch and Aerial Ruin - Stygian Bough Volume IIBell Witch and Aerial Ruin are both artists from the US, and they have teamed up once more to bring us a new outing of mournful doom.

2020’s Stygian Bough Volume I was one of my favourites from that year, so I was very excited by the appearance of Stygian Bough Volume II. Bell Witch and Aerial Ruin have impressed in the past, but can they do so again? Continue reading “Bell Witch and Aerial Ruin – Stygian Bough Volume II (Review)”

Beastwars – The Ship // The Sea (Review)

Beastwars - The Ship The SeaBeastwars are a sludge/stoner metal band from New Zealand and this is their fifth album.

Following on from 2019’s IV, (via a covers album in 2023 called Tyranny of Distance), comes the 40-minute The Ship // The Sea. I was excited to listen to this, as Beastwars always deliver, and it hasn’t disappointed. Continue reading “Beastwars – The Ship // The Sea (Review)”

Qrixkuor – The Womb of the World (Review)

Qrixkuor - The Womb of the WorldThis is the second album from Qrixkuor, a death metal band from the UK.

Following on from 2021’s monstrous Poisoning Palinopsia comes The Womb of the World. Qrixkuor’s new record contains four songs, totalling a full duration of 50 minutes. It’s punishing, but also terrifyingly beautiful. Continue reading “Qrixkuor – The Womb of the World (Review)”

Kostnatění – Přílišnost (Excess) (Review)

Kostnatění - Přílišnost (Excess)This is the second album from US solo extreme metal band Kostnatění.

2023’s Úpal was a notable record, standing out from the crowd with its atypical approach to black metal. Now comes Přílišnost, and it’s a refined beast of uncommon extremity we find ourselves faced with. Continue reading “Kostnatění – Přílišnost (Excess) (Review)”

Pupil Slicer – Fleshwork (Review)

Pupil Slicer - FleshworkThis is the second album from UK mathcore band Pupil Slicer.

Following on from 2023’s well-received Blossom, Pupil Slicer have returned with the 36-minute Fleshwork. In this review I’ll make the case that this is peak Pupil Slicer so far. Fleshwork is a monster. If a mix of bands such as Converge, Deafheaven, Heriot, Rolo Tomassi, and Svalbard, sounds good, then this is one for you. Continue reading “Pupil Slicer – Fleshwork (Review)”