Employed to Serve – Fallen Star (Review)

Employed to Serve - Fallen StarThis is the fifth album from UK metallers Employed to Serve.

With every release Employed to Serve just seem to be getting better. This culminated in 2021’s Conquering, a record that made it onto my best of list of that year. Which is why expectation is high for the band’s latest 48-minute record Fallen Star. Continue reading “Employed to Serve – Fallen Star (Review)”

Kardashev – Alunea (Review)

Kardashev - AluneaThis is the third album from US extreme metal band Kardashev.

Kardashev return, after the acclaimed Liminal Rite from 2022. The self-styled deathgaze band have provided us with 43 minutes of new material on Alunea. Continue reading “Kardashev – Alunea (Review)”

In the Woods… – Otra (Review)

the Woods... - OtraIn the Woods… are a Norwegian progressive metal band and this is their seventh album.

I thoroughly enjoyed 2022’s Diversum, so was pleased when Otra appeared on the horizon. Across 47 minutes In the Woods… deliver a richly engaging album, full of textured and high quality songcraft. Continue reading “In the Woods… – Otra (Review)”

Judicator – Concord (Review)

Judicator - ConcordThis is the seventh album from US power metallers Judicator.

2020’s Let There Be Nothing was a good album, but 2022’s The Majesty of Decay was a revelation. It was my favourite album from that year, and is simply a fantastic record. It’s rare for lightning to strike twice though, so I tried to go into the 50-minute Concord with expectations tempered, especially as Judicator now have a largely new lineup and a less-personally themed album. Continue reading “Judicator – Concord (Review)”

Bleed from Within – Zenith (Review)

Bleed from Within - ZenithThis is the seventh album from UK metal band Bleed from Within.

Despite being aware of Bleed from Within since they began – and I even saw them live I think many, many, many years ago in a support slot somewhere – I had never actually heard them properly before now. Zenith was a good opportunity to change this and see what I’ve been missing out on. Well, what do Bleed from Within have to offer? Continue reading “Bleed from Within – Zenith (Review)”

Dissocia – To Lift the Veil (Review)

Dissocia - To Lift the VeilDissocia are a Spanish progressive metal band and this is their debut album.

Brought to us by current/ex-members of Aposento, Bizarre, Cancer, Eternal Storm, and Wormed, Dissocia play modern progressive metal, with elements of death metal incorporated into its cinematic whole. Across 41 minutes, To Lift the Veil makes its intentions known in no uncertain terms, and has an impact. Continue reading “Dissocia – To Lift the Veil (Review)”

Cryptosis – Celestial Death (Review)

Cryptosis - Celestial DeathCryptosis are a extreme metal band from the Netherlands and this is their second album.

Following on from 2021’s well-received Bionic Swarm, Cryptosis are now back with the 42-minute face ripper Celestial Death. I am of the opinion that a black metal touch makes everything better. Cryptosis seem to agree. Continue reading “Cryptosis – Celestial Death (Review)”