Interviews – Wonderbox Metal

Psychomancer – Shards of the Hourglass (Review & Interview)

This is the third album from Psychomancer, a death metal band from the US.

Shards of the Hourglass is a monstrous death/thrash metal release that falls somewhere between Swedish death metal and the more adventurous side of 90s death and thrash metal. There’s a vicious German influence too – think a mix of Vader and Destruction. Take all of this together and it makes for a surprisingly engaging 58-minute blend of extreme metal. Continue reading “Psychomancer – Shards of the Hourglass (Review & Interview)”

Interview with Itheist 2019

Appearing from the ashes of Aetherium Mors, Itheist’s self-titled debut album stokes the fire of molten black metal, and forges it into creative blackened structures that twist and turn in unusual and interesting ways. It’s a very enjoyable record, one which I wanted to dig a bit deeper into. So here we are, with the band kindly providing some insights into their existence… Continue reading “Interview with Itheist 2019”

Interview with Hamferð 2019

The latest release by Hamferð is the short EP Ódn. It only contains two tracks, but is a release that’s not only very enjoyable, but very intriguing too. Both songs are very individual and have an interesting story behind them, which we’ll find out more about below.

Theodor Kapnas, guitarist in Hamferð, was nice enough to talk about both songs, as well as Hamferð in general… Continue reading “Interview with Hamferð 2019”

Interview with Dom Smith – Parasitic Twins, Wobbling About & Rocking Out, Soundsphere 2019

Dom Smith is a busy guy. You might not know who he is, but hopefully after reading the below you will, and you’ll want to support the good work that he does.

Dom is in a number of bands, (most notably Parasitic Twins), but also runs both Wobbling About & Rocking Out and Soundsphere, more on which you’ll find out about later. He’s a man with a disability, but he hasn’t let this hold him back. In fact, he is passionate about helping to support musicians and artists with a range of disabilities, as well as actively working to raise awareness of these sometimes hidden or unacknowledged issues. A recent Guardian article has helped to raise the profile of some of the challenges that disabled musicians can face, and it’s people like Dom that are really trying to push things forward and make a difference. Continue reading “Interview with Dom Smith – Parasitic Twins, Wobbling About & Rocking Out, Soundsphere 2019”

Interview with Totengott

If you haven’t yet checked out Totengott’s second album The Abyss, then I heartily recommend that you do. The band’s dark, atmospheric take on doom/heavy metal is quite engaging, and one that has yielded an enjoyable album.

I caught up with the band to find out more… Continue reading “Interview with Totengott”

Interview with Spirit Adrift 2019

Spirit Adrift’s new album Divided by Darkness is my favourite album yet by this superlative band. Filled with rousing songs, engrossing melodies, infectious riffs, and quality writing, Divided by Darkness is sure to make an impact on many best of 2019 lists I’m sure.

I quizzed band mastermind Nate Garrett about the band’s latest release, and found out a few interesting things… Continue reading “Interview with Spirit Adrift 2019”

Interview with Allegaeon 2019

Allegaeon’s fifth album Apoptosis is a progressive metal tour de force that uses technical and melodic elements to its benefit in a number of stimulating and highly enjoyable ways.

Guitarist and main man Greg Burgess tell us more about this latest opus… Continue reading “Interview with Allegaeon 2019”

Interview with Heaume Mortal

Heaume Mortal’s debut album Solstices is a monolithic slab of blackened doom, one which unveils more and more dark delights as you listen to it. Getting to know this sterling piece of work is a pleasure, and I heartily recommend taking the time to explore it.

The main artist behind this project is Guillaume Morlat, so let’s find out a bit more about what makes him and Heaume Mortal tick… Continue reading “Interview with Heaume Mortal”

Interview with Contrarian 2019

Contrarian are a personal favourite of mine in the realms of progressive/technical death metal. Bridging the old-school and the new by taking strengths from both, their albums – and new platter Their Worm Never Dies in particular – are very much worth your time.

Guitarist Jim Tasikas tells us more… Continue reading “Interview with Contrarian 2019”

Interview with Forged in Black

Crafting their sound from various metallic elements old and new, UK heavy metallers Forged in Black have created an extremely strong and enjoyable second album in Descent of the Serpent. Let’s find out a bit more… Continue reading “Interview with Forged in Black”