Maestus – Deliquesce (Review)

Maestus - DeliquesceThis is the second album from Maestus, a blackened doom band from the US.

Looking for a doom record that has epic-length songs and music that’s crushing, while also boasting a surprisingly delicate touch in places? Look no further. Continue reading “Maestus – Deliquesce (Review)”

Depleted – Conjurations of Void (Review)

depleted - conjurations of voidDepleted is a one man death/doom band from the US and this is his debut demo.

Brought to us by a member of the rabidly aggressive Maltheist, Depleted is a different proposition, but no less nasty in intent. Continue reading “Depleted – Conjurations of Void (Review)”

A Thousand Sufferings – Bleakness (Review)

A Thousand Sufferings - BleaknessThis is the second album from A Thousand Sufferings, a Belgian blackened doom band.

We last heard from A Thousand Sufferings in 2015 with their debut album Burden. This was a dark slab of doom/sludge metal, and with Bleakness A Thousand Sufferings have capitalised on the strengths of that early record and produced 41 minutes of tortured and pained heavy music. Continue reading “A Thousand Sufferings – Bleakness (Review)”

Nailed to Obscurity – Black Frost (Review)

Nailed to Obscurity - Black FrostThis is the fourth album from Nailed to Obscurity, a melodic doom metal band from Germany.

Nailed to Obscurity play a modernised version of old-school death/doom. Black Frost contains 47 minutes of material that can be roughly characterised as a combination of old Katatonia mixed with elements of Paradise Lost, Insomnium, Opeth, Décembre Noir, and others. The band definitely let their own collective personalities shine through in the music, however. Continue reading “Nailed to Obscurity – Black Frost (Review)”

Yatra – Death Ritual (Review)

Yatra - Death RitualYatra are a doom band from the US and this is their debut album.

Now here we have an album that’s infused with darkness; it’s almost tangible, but in a warm, smoky way. Mixing ugly doom, riff-hungry stoner, blackened sludge, and harsh drone influences into 45 minutes of material, Death Ritual showcases the dark underbelly of doom metal. Continue reading “Yatra – Death Ritual (Review)”

Vanha – Melancholia (Review)

Vanha - MelancholiaThis is the second album from one man death/doom metal band Vanha.

Vanha’s debut album Within the Mist of Sorrow struck me hard, and has stayed with me ever since as a quality exemplar of how to provide a textured and highly atmospheric display of 90s death/doom influences. Delivered as a duo, Vanha is now one man, Melancholia is his latest effort. Continue reading “Vanha – Melancholia (Review)”

Lucifer’s Fall – Tales from the Crypt (Review)

Lucifer's Fall - Tales from the CryptLucifer’s Fall are an Australian doom metal band and this is their latest release. It’s an oddball collection of rarities – live tracks, rehearsals, covers, splits, demos, etc. – 62 minutes of raucous, rocking doom metal. Sorry, DOOM METAL!

I can’t help but really like Lucifer’s Fall. They’ve got songs, they’ve got attitude, and they’ve got balls. What’s not to like? Continue reading “Lucifer’s Fall – Tales from the Crypt (Review)”