Bell Witch and Aerial Ruin – Stygian Bough Volume 1 (Review)

Bell Witch and Aerial Ruin - Stygian Bough Volume 1Bell Witch and Aerial Ruin are both artists from the US, and they have teamed up to bring us 64 minutes of mournful doom. Although no strangers to working together, this is their first fully fledged collaboration.

This is a darkly beautiful work, constructed from Continue reading “Bell Witch and Aerial Ruin – Stygian Bough Volume 1 (Review)”

Vile Creature – Glory, Glory! Apathy Took Helm! (Review)

Vile Creature - Glory, Glory! Apathy Took Helm!Vile Creature are a Canadian doom band and this is their third album.

2018’s Cast of Static and Smoke was a notable album, both musically and as a conceptual work that was fleshed out by a short story. Vile Creature have now returned, and what they have unleashed on the world is a superlative piece of heavy art. Continue reading “Vile Creature – Glory, Glory! Apathy Took Helm! (Review)”

Wasteland Coven – Ruined (Review)

Wasteland Coven - RuinedWasteland Coven are a doom metal band from the US and this is their debut EP.

Here we have 23 minutes of old-school doom metal, played with skill and passion. The music has a modern veneer that’s the band’s own take on the old-school formula, but its roots are clear enough. Continue reading “Wasteland Coven – Ruined (Review)”

-(16)- – Dream Squasher (Review)

16 - Dream Squasher-(16)- are a sludge metal band from the US and this is their eighth album.

Apart from 2017’s split with Fistula, I’m unfamiliar with -(16)- and their work, although I’ve been aware of their existence for decades. Due to their pedigree, and the fact that the press blurb recommends them for Continue reading “-(16)- – Dream Squasher (Review)”

Hellhookah – The Curse (Review)

Hellhookah - The CurseThis is the second album from Lithuanian doom metallers Hellhookah.

2015’s Endless Serpents was a good start to the Hellhookah tale, and now, five years later, we have the next chapter. The Curse gives us eight new tracks and 38 minutes of material to enjoy. Continue reading “Hellhookah – The Curse (Review)”

Ashtar – Kaikuja (Review)

Ashtar - KaikujaAshtar are from Switzerland and play blackened doom. This is their second album.

It’s been five years since we were graced with Ashtar’s presence; Ilmasaari was a very notable and satisfying record, and Kaijuka even more so. Continue reading “Ashtar – Kaikuja (Review)”

Noctu – Gelidae Mortis Imago (Review)

Noctu - Gelidae Mortis ImagoThis is the second album from Italy’s one-man blackened doom band Noctu.

Gelidae Mortis Imago contains 74 minutes of atmospheric blackened funeral doom. Containing three brief atmospheric pieces as preludes to the three main monstrous songs, this album is an imposing proposition for people allergic to Continue reading “Noctu – Gelidae Mortis Imago (Review)”