Aktaion – The Parade of Nature (Review)

AktaionThis is the second album from Aktaion, a Swedish Metal band.

I thought that Aktaion’s debut album Throne was a great combination of aggressive melodic death metal and sing-along catchiness. It showed a band that was not willing to compromise on either, striking the right balance of both.

So how have they done on this latest release? Well, essentially they have Continue reading “Aktaion – The Parade of Nature (Review)”

Dawn of Disease – Worship the Grave (Review)

Dawn of DiseaseThis is the third album from Dawn of Disease, a German death metal band.

Dawn of Disease seem to have honed their songwriting skills and are now channelling the spirit of 90s song-based death metal. It’s catchy, memorable and there’s more than a few twisting melodies and riffs that will stick in your head long after it’s stopped playing. Continue reading “Dawn of Disease – Worship the Grave (Review)”

Cairiss – Fall (Review)

CairissCairiss are an atmospheric/post-black metal band from the UK. This is their debut EP.

Now, here we have something very impressive.

Cairiss’ music is atmospheric metal that takes a good amount of black metal influence but builds on it with post-metal knowledge and application.

The singer has a voice that does the music justice. Her harsh screams are savagery Continue reading “Cairiss – Fall (Review)”

Denominate – Those Who Beheld the End (Review)

DenominateDenominate are from Finland and play death metal. This is their debut album.

Here we have 43 minutes of progressive/technical death metal. Take some Carcass/Death influences and mix with something like Vital Remains…are you interested yet? You should be…

Denominate have a decent production that lends them a satisfying sound. The music itself is skilfully played with no lack of talent. Continue reading “Denominate – Those Who Beheld the End (Review)”

Shadow Hunters – A V A T A R (Review)

Shadow HuntersShadow Hunters are a Norwegian rock band and this is their debut album.

Describing themselves as “modern energetic sci-fi rock”, I couldn’t come up with a better description so am quite happy to run with that.

The music is bright and full of sterling melodies and uplifting atmospheres. Continue reading “Shadow Hunters – A V A T A R (Review)”

Apoptosis – Monument of Ignorance (Review)

ApoptosisApoptosis are a grindcore band from Hungary. This is their debut release.

So what do we have here then? 12 songs in 10 minutes? Alrighty. Frantic grindcore assault? Sure. Blistering punk attitude. Yeah. Spiky thrash sharpness. Okay.

Phew. Continue reading “Apoptosis – Monument of Ignorance (Review)”

Caïna – Christ Clad in White Phosphorus (Review)

CainaCaïna are a black metal band from the UK. This is their seventh album.

What do you get if you combine raw black metal with industrial and dark ambient? You get Christ Clad in White Phosphorus.

The ugly, intense black metal parts are my favourite bits of this album, as they rage with an underground fury and intensity the likes of which most bands only aspire to. It’s not all about Continue reading “Caïna – Christ Clad in White Phosphorus (Review)”

Spellcaster – Night Hides the World (Review)

SpellcasterSpellcaster are a US heavy metal band and this is their third album.

This is traditional heavy metal with a good pinch of NWOBHM. Spellcaster have created a fiery and passionate modern take on the classic style, meaning that the band play music that’s instantly recognisable as what it is, but with an up-to-date production and youthful vigour.

This is high energy, enthuiastic stuff. There’s no Continue reading “Spellcaster – Night Hides the World (Review)”

Human Vivisection – The Perpetual Gap (Review)

Human VivisectionHuman Vivisection are a death metal band from Belgium, this is their debut album.

This is brutal death metal replete with beatdowns and crushing groove; 35 minutes of brutality.

No matter how good an album like this actually is, (and some are certainly better than others), I still can’t help but always enjoy it to a point. The mindless brutality and lust for carnage that’s inherent in this kind of work is Continue reading “Human Vivisection – The Perpetual Gap (Review)”

Paganizer – On the Outskirts of Hades (Review)

PaganizerThis is the latest EP from these Swedish death metal legends. Paganizer are always a welcome listen.

Paganizer clearly aren’t messing around on this release. With four songs in just under 14 minutes, this is all about classic-styled Swedish death metal, played with the skill of veterans by the mastercrafters Continue reading “Paganizer – On the Outskirts of Hades (Review)”