This is the debut album from US metal band Dead Icarus.
I thoroughly enjoyed Dead Icarus’ debut EP Ad Infernum, which brought the ex-singer of Atreyu’s charismatic vocals back to the world of heavy music. Now we have the 38-minute Zealot, and Dead Icarus, (who also contain members of Enterprise Earth and Whitechapel), are on fire. Continue reading “Dead Icarus – Zealot (Review)”
Frozen Crown are an Italian power metal band and this is their fifth album.
Frozen Crown, a band I’d never heard of before last year’s excellent Call of the North, did the completely unexpected with that album and came out of nowhere and topped my end of year list. Now that we have War Hearts, especially so soon after its predecessor, I was apprehensive before listening to it; could lightning strike twice? Continue reading “Frozen Crown – War Hearts (Review)”
Iotunn are a progressive metal band from Denmark, and this is their second album.
Now here’s one that’s been greatly anticipated. It’s an absolute travesty that Iotunn’s 2021 debut Access All Worlds didn’t end up on that year’s end of year list. How it didn’t I’ll never know, as it would easily have been in the top 5 or 10. Entirely my mistake, as it’s a fantastic record. All of which is to say that Kinship has a lot of expectation riding on it. Continue reading “Iotunn – Kinship (Review)”
Veonity are a Swedish power metal band and this is their sixth album.
The Final Element contains 44 minutes of pure power metal goodness. The promo blurb states that Veonity are for for fans of Edguy, Gamma Ray, Hammerfall, Helloween, and Twilight Force, which sets the scene nicely. Continue reading “Veonity – The Final Element (Review)”
Mother of Millions are a Greek progressive metal band and this is their fourth album.
Magna Mater contains 43 minutes of progressive metal. As my first encounter with Mother of Millions this is an extremely strong one. Let’s dig into this impressive, powerful record. Continue reading “Mother of Millions – Magna Mater (Review)”
This is the second album from UK metal band Lowen.
Do Not Go to War with the Demons of Mazandaran contains 37 minutes of progressive metal. The promo blurb describes Lowen as “Crushing progressive doom steeped in the history of the ancient middle-east and the empty vistas of space.”, which is a great introduction to the band’s work, although I’d argue that the doom aspect of the music is not a huge one. Continue reading “Lowen – Do Not Go to War with the Demons of Mazandaran (Review)”
This is the debut album from UK metal act Heriot.
I enjoyed 2022’s Profound Morality, so have been looking forward to Heriot unleashing a full album. I’ll tell you what too, they haven’t disappointed me. Quite the opposite in fact. Continue reading “Heriot – Devoured by the Mouth of Hell (Review)”
This is the fourth album from US black/speed metal band Bewitcher.
I was taken with Bewitcher’s style of black/speed/thrash metal ever since I first heard 2016’s Bewitcher. After this, the band unleashed a worthy follow up in 2019’s Under the Witching Cross, as well as 2021’s Cursed Be Thy Kingdom, which I missed out on. All of which brings us to Spell Shock, the band’s longest album yet at 40 minutes, (44 if you include the bonus track). Continue reading “Bewitcher – Spell Shock (Review)”
Crimson Veil are a progressive metal band from the UK and this is their debut album.
Across 56 minutes Hex offers up a hybrid style that’s interesting and absorbing. Crimson Veil have made a very favourable impression with their first album, one that I urge you to take the time to explore. Continue reading “Crimson Veil – Hex (Review)”
This is the sixth album from US progressive metallers Oceans of Slumber.
After releasing two very well-received albums of progressive metal in 2018’s The Banished Heart and 2020’s self titled album, Oceans of Slumber surprised many by adopting more of a hard rock approach on 2022’s Starlight and Ash. Although ultimately I naturally prefer their heavier more metallic material, it was still an accomplished album worthy of anyone’s time. With new record Where Gods Fear to Speak now on the horizon, what do Oceans of Slumber bring us in 2024? Let’s find out. Continue reading “Oceans of Slumber – Where Gods Fear to Speak (Review)”
Wonderbox Metal 