Incantation – Unholy Deification (Review)

Incantation - Unholy DeificationIncantation are a US death metal band and this is their thirteenth album.

A new Incantation album is always an event, and this is no different. Unholy Deification is a 42-minute feast of grim death metal that once again demonstrates why Incantation are so good at what they do. Continue reading “Incantation – Unholy Deification (Review)”

AAWKS/Aiwass – The Eastern Scrolls – Split (Review)

AAWKS Aiwass - The Eastern Scrolls - SplitAAWKS are from Canada and Aiwass is a one-man act from the US. Both play psychedelic doom.

The Eastern Scrolls is a 28-minute concept split release that consists of one track from each band. I’m totally unfamiliar with both AAWKS and Aiwass, but how could I resist giving this a listen with that striking cover? Continue reading “AAWKS/Aiwass – The Eastern Scrolls – Split (Review)”

Till the Dirt – Outside the Spiral (Review)

Till the Dirt - Outside the SpiralThis is the the debut album by US extreme metal band Till the Dirt.

Brought to us by the singer of Atheist, Outside the Spiral contains 46-minutes of atypical extreme metal. It has a death metal base, but this is spliced with a few different influences to create something a little outside of the norm. Continue reading “Till the Dirt – Outside the Spiral (Review)”

Urfaust – Untergang (Review)

Urfaust - UntergangUrfaust are a black metal band from the Netherlands and this is their seventh album.

Untergang contains 38 minutes of idiosyncratic black metal. Urfaust craft music that has impressive worldbuilding properties, and on this album they excel at bringing their dark vision to life. Continue reading “Urfaust – Untergang (Review)”

Cvinger – Doctrines by the Figures of Črnobog (Review)

Cvinger - Doctrines by the Figures of ČrnobogCvinger are a Slovakian black metal band and this is their third album.

It’s been ten years since Cvinger’s debut EP Monastery of Fallen, so now seems like a good time to see what they’re up to on their third album. With a promo blurb that mentions bands like 1349, Marduk, Mayhem, Gorgoroth, and Morbid Angel, you have a pretty good starting point for Cvinger’s hostile, yet mood-rich assault. Continue reading “Cvinger – Doctrines by the Figures of Črnobog (Review)”

Holding Absence – The Noble Art of Self Destruction (Review)

Holding Absence - The Noble Art of Self DestructionThis is the third album from UK modern rock band Holding Absence.

I’ve enjoyed watching the ascent of Holding Absence over the years. From 2019’s Holding Absence, to 2021’s stepping-up-a-level second album The Greatest Mistake of My Life, to the thoroughly scrumptious split with Alpha Wolf from last year, this is a band who keep developing and improving. Continue reading “Holding Absence – The Noble Art of Self Destruction (Review)”

Nixil – From the Wound Spilled Forth Fire (Review)

Nixil - From the Wound Spilled Forth FireNixil are a US black metal band and this is their second album.

From the Wound Spilled Forth Fire presents us with 43 minutes of black metal that is intimately acquainted with a darker side of the style that’s both vicious and mood-rich. Continue reading “Nixil – From the Wound Spilled Forth Fire (Review)”

Moon Coven – Sun King (Review)

Moon Coven - Sun KingThis is the third album from Swedish rock band Moon Coven.

Moon Coven play a mix of psychedelic rock and stoner doom that has a touch of the progressive about it too. Across 46 minutes Sun King blends these styles into a warm, personable album of good tunes and good vibes. Continue reading “Moon Coven – Sun King (Review)”

Noveria – The Gates of the Underworld (Review)

Noveria - The Gates of the UnderworldThis is the fourth album from Noveria, a progressive power metal band from Italy.

Containing 108 minutes of material, The Gates of the Underworld is a feast of music for fans of luscious and rich progressive power metal. As a rough guide, think of a mix of bands such as Threshold, Evergrey, and Pagan’s Mind. Continue reading “Noveria – The Gates of the Underworld (Review)”

Grand Cadaver – Deities of Deathlike Sleep (Review)

Grand Cadaver - Deities of Deathlike SleepGrand Cadaver are a death metal band from Sweden and this is their second album.

Featuring current and ex-members of Dark Tranquillity, Katatonia, The Halo Effect, and Tiamat, Deities of Deathlike Sleep is the 35-minute follow up to 2021’s Into the Maw of Death. Continue reading “Grand Cadaver – Deities of Deathlike Sleep (Review)”