Metal – Wonderbox Metal

Protest the Hero – Within (Review)

This is the sixth album from Canadian progressive metal band Protest the Hero.

Within contains 35 minutes of Protest the Hero’s inimitable brand of progressive metal. The band’s style has always been a happy marriage between chaos and beauty, to a greater or lesser extent depending on what you’re listening to, and Within continues their storied discography by contributing yet another Grade A winner. So much for spoilers, eh?

Protest the Hero operate in a Continue reading “Protest the Hero – Within (Review)”

Red Method – Vol 1: As in Life (Review)

This is the latest EP from UK metallers Red Method.

Vol 1: As in Life contains 29 minutes of material. Red Method blend nu-metal, metalcore, and industrial elements into their metallic cocktail, (as well as a smattering of occasional deathcore and djent), manifesting as a sound that’s nicely dark and heavy. Continue reading “Red Method – Vol 1: As in Life (Review)”

Black Sites – For Eternity (Review)

This is the fifth album from US heavy metallers Black Sites.

2021’s Untrue and 2024’s The Promised Land? were both quality metal records, so For Eternity appearing on the horizon was most welcome. Black Sites keep regularly pumping out good music, and album number five is no different in this regard. With a new lineup in tow, Black Sites deliver a masterclass in song-based heavy metal. Continue reading “Black Sites – For Eternity (Review)”

Genghis Tron – Signal Fire (Review)

This is the fourth album from US experimental rock act Genghis Tron.

Following on from 2021’s change of direction Dream Weapon, Signal Fire contains 43 minutes of new material. Genghis Tron’s return is a most welcome one, and this time they’ve brought with them some older tools to build and destroy with. Continue reading “Genghis Tron – Signal Fire (Review)”

Urzah – A Tranquil Void (Review)

This is the second album from UK sludge/post-metal band Urzah.

A Tranquil Void is the 49-minute successor to 2024’s The Scorching Gaze. This debut record caused more than a few to pay attention to Urzah’s progressive, sludgy post-metal. Have they band managed to capitalise on this for its follow up? Continue reading “Urzah – A Tranquil Void (Review)”

Bear – Anhedonia (Review)

Bear are a progressive hardcore/metal band from Belgium and this is their fifth album.

This new 19-minute EP from the mighty Bear packs a punch. It’s five songs and no messing around. These songs are short and to-the-point. Two do their damage, then get out swiftly, laughing as they do so with murderous glee. Continue reading “Bear – Anhedonia (Review)”

Impure Wilhelmina – Le Sanglot (Review)

This is the eighth album from Impure Wilhelmina, a Swiss post-metal band.

2021’s Antidote was a very strong record, so it’s great to see follow up Le Sanglot appear. It’s a 50-minute case study in portraying emotion and depth of songcraft. Impure Wilhelmina once again show just why they are held in such high regard by Continue reading “Impure Wilhelmina – Le Sanglot (Review)”

Cage Fight – Exuvia (Review)

This is the second album from Cage Fight, a metalcore band from the UK.

After 2022’s enjoyable Cage Fight and proving themselves in the live environment, Exuvia carries certain expectations of quality around these parts. Have Cage Fight managed to live up to these expectations, which include the hope that they’ve taken the next step up from their debut? Continue reading “Cage Fight – Exuvia (Review)”

Spirit Adrift – Infinite Illumination (Review)

This 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 Conception, Divided by Darkness, Enlightened 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)

This 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)”