Bestialis – Ritus (Review)

Bestialis - RitusThis is the debut EP from German black metallers Bestialis.

Ritus provides 17 minutes of black metal, and serves as a good introduction to the nefarious talents of Bestialis. The band’s style is rooted in traditional black metal, but also contains elements of more modern styles too. As a very rough Continue reading “Bestialis – Ritus (Review)”

Eoront – Gods Have No Home (Review)

Eoront - Gods Have No HomeEoront are a Russian black metal band and this is their third album.

This is the follow up to 2017’s enjoyable Another RealmGods Have No Home follows on from its predecessor in a similar way, but is an even superior release. On their newest album Eoront offer us Continue reading “Eoront – Gods Have No Home (Review)”

Paul Sadler – Soon to Be Absorbed (Review)

Paul Sadler - Soon to Be AbsorbedThis is the debut solo album from UK progressive rock artist Paul Sadler.

Paul Sadler is apparently the vocalist/guitarist of UK progressive metallers Spires; unfortunately I’m unfamiliar with this band, so I can’t comment on how similar Paul’s material is to his main outfit. What I can comment on, however, Continue reading “Paul Sadler – Soon to Be Absorbed (Review)”

Gjendød – Angrep (Review)

Gjendød - AngrepGjendød are a Norwegian black metal band and this is their third album.

I’ve enjoyed all of Gjendød’s material so far, (Gjendød, Nedstigning, Krigsdøger), and I’m pleased to say that Angrep is no exception to this. Angrep is not a direct continuation of the band’s past material, however, as these new songs have been mercilessly filed down to a killing point. Continue reading “Gjendød – Angrep (Review)”

Saarkoth – Cult of Nature (Review)

Saarkoth - Cult of NatureThis is the second album from UK black metal band Saarkoth.

Saarkoth’s Bandcamp page says that they are inspired by bands like Winterfylleth, Agalloch, and Emperor, and this serves as a good starting point for approaching Cult of Nature. However, although you can hear the influences and recognise the style, I’m pleased to say that Saarkoth have found their own voice within it. Continue reading “Saarkoth – Cult of Nature (Review)”

Pillory – Scourge upon Humanity (Review)

Pillory - Scourge upon HumanityThis is the third album from one-man US death metal band Pillory.

Across 64 minutes, the artist behind Pillory batters and bewilders the listener with an onslaught of technical death metal. Scourge upon Humanity clearly won’t be for everyone, even just from that description alone, Continue reading “Pillory – Scourge upon Humanity (Review)”

Haunted Cenotaph – Abyssal Menace (Review)

Haunted Cenotaph - Abyssal MenaceThis is the debut album from Polish death/doom metal band Haunted Cenotaph.

Abyssal Menace contains 41 minutes of gloomy old-school death metal. With a hefty amount of doom metal elements, and a Celtic Frost influence, this is an enjoyable listen for anyone that wants to explore OSDM that has a different perspective on the genre than that of many of the band’s contemporaries. Continue reading “Haunted Cenotaph – Abyssal Menace (Review)”

Gjoad – Samanōn (Review)

Gjoad - SamanōnGjoad are an Austrian post-rock band and this is their debut album.

This is nature-inspired music that’s highly evocative and atmospheric. Shades of post-rock, ambient, doom, and folk inform the bulk of the material here. There’s a clear black metal influence too, although this is mostly apparent Continue reading “Gjoad – Samanōn (Review)”

Ilsa – Preyer (Review)

Ilsa - PreyerIlsa are a sludge metal band from the US and this is their sixth album.

Ever since I first heard – and loved – 2012’s Intoxicantations, I’ve been a big fan of Ilsa. Across another two full-lengths – 2015’s The Felon’s Claw and 2018’s Corpse Fortress they haven’t let me down, and they don’t seem to have done so Continue reading “Ilsa – Preyer (Review)”