Spirit Adrift – Infinite Illumination (Review)

Spirit Adrift - Infinite IlluminationThis is the sixth, and final, album from the US doom/heavy metal band Spirit Adrift.

So, the final Spirit Adrift album – the end of an era. Since 2016’s Chained to Oblivion, all  the way across a decade of doom and heavy metal, through Curse of ConceptionDivided by DarknessEnlightened in Eternity, and penultimately 2023’s Ghost at the Gallows, Spirit Adrift have Continue reading “Spirit Adrift – Infinite Illumination (Review)”

Witch Ripper – Through the Hourglass (Review)

Witch Ripper - Through the HourglassThis is the third album from US stoner/sludge metal band Witch Ripper.

2023’s The Flight After the Fall was a thoroughly enjoyable progressive stoner sludge album, so it’s with some expectation that the coming of Through the Hourglass is greeted. Across 44 minutes of new material, Witch Ripper Continue reading “Witch Ripper – Through the Hourglass (Review)”

Melvins with Napalm Death – Savage Imperial Death March (Review)

Melvins with Napalm Death - Savage Imperial Death MarchThis is a collaborative album between two legendary acts, Melvins from the US and Napalm Death from the UK.

Originally released last year as a 6-track limited tour CD/vinyl, Savage Imperial Death March is now getting a full release, with two extra songs and new artwork. It’s a 40-minute journey into an uncrowded collaborative space that brings together the sludgy melodic skill of Melvins and the off-centre experimental side of Napalm Death. Continue reading “Melvins with Napalm Death – Savage Imperial Death March (Review)”

Corrosion of Conformity – Good God / Baad Man (Review)

Corrosion of Conformity - Good God Baad ManCorrosion of Conformity are a US metal/rock band and this is their eleventh album.

A lot has happened in the world of Corrosion of Conformity since the band’s 2018’s release No Cross No Crown. Recovering from tragedy and setback, the band are now back, and they’ve brought a lot of new material with them. Good God / Baad Man boasts 70 minutes of music, and it’s Continue reading “Corrosion of Conformity – Good God / Baad Man (Review)”

Shadowvale – Shadowvale (Review)

Shadowvale - ShadowvaleThis is the debut album from UK sludge metallers Shadowvale.

After Shadowvale’s revelatory performance at last year’s Mangata Festival, this has been a release to watch out for.  Well, it’s now here, so the question that presents itself is this – was it worth the wait? Have Shadowvale  managed to deliver the goods and live up to their promise? Continue reading “Shadowvale – Shadowvale (Review)”

Gaerea – Loss (Review)

Gaerea - LossThis is the fifth album from Portuguese metal/post-black metal band Gaerea.

It’s been very interesting to watch Gaerea develop over the years, peaking their black metal assault on 2022’s Mirage, before adding in a few different textures and influences on 2024’s very well-received Coma. The latter was the band’s biggest stylistic shift until that point. Loss delivers an even larger Continue reading “Gaerea – Loss (Review)”

Triumpher – Piercing the Heart of the World (Review)

Triumpher - Piercing the Heart of the WorldTriumpher are a Greek heavy metal band and this is their third album.

Piercing the Heart of the World brings 45 minutes of epic heavy metal into existence. Triumpher are a revelation in steel, a colossal fist in the face of mediocrity, and an exemplar of metallic might ascendant. Now, after that hyperbole, (well-deserved), let’s Continue reading “Triumpher – Piercing the Heart of the World (Review)”

Sylosis – The New Flesh (Review)

Sylosis - The New FleshThis is the seventh album from UK metal band Sylosis.

Following on from 2023’s extremely strong A Sign of Things to ComeThe New Flesh contains 50 minutes of new material from Sylosis. It’s heavy, riffy, and good fun all-round. Continue reading “Sylosis – The New Flesh (Review)”