Reviews – Page 456 – Wonderbox Metal

Ashcloud – Children of the Chainsaw (Review)

This is the second album from Ashcloud, a death metal band.

If you’re a death metal band and you release an album named Children of the Chainsaw, you’d better be playing old-school Swedish death metal, or it’s just a wasted opportunity. Ashcloud do exactly that, but with a few twists to the formula. This is 45 minutes of disgustingly old-school crusty death metal that will clear the cobwebs away with huge gusts of molten fumes.

In true genre-style; as well as the sickening rhythms we get plenty of Continue reading “Ashcloud – Children of the Chainsaw (Review)”

Outright Resistance – Me Vs I (Review)

Outright Resistance are a UK metal band and this is their latest EP.

After a rather embarrassing intro track, the rest of the EP is, thankfully, better. This is Pantera/Lamb of God/Chimaira inspired metal that’s all youthful enthusiasm and energy.

The band have the right approach for this kind of music, starting with some decent riffs and Continue reading “Outright Resistance – Me Vs I (Review)”

Necroptic Engorgement – Realms of Incessant Bloodshed (Review)

Necroptic Engorgement are a death metal band from the US. This is their latest EP.

This is brutal death metal with a touch of deathgrind added for extra flavour.

Vocals are either high pitched screeches or deep, guttural growl-barks that sometimes sound unusually legible, but always sound unusually evil. Continue reading “Necroptic Engorgement – Realms of Incessant Bloodshed (Review)”

Nekhen – Entering the Gate of the Western Horizon (Review)

This is the debut release of Nekhen, a blackened doom solo project from Italy.

Even though this is the project’s first journey out into the world, the brains behind the outfit is obviously not lacking in ambition. According to the press blurb – ‘The album is intended as Continue reading “Nekhen – Entering the Gate of the Western Horizon (Review)”

Aktaion – The Parade of Nature (Review)

This 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)

This 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)

Cairiss 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)

Denominate 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 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)

Apoptosis 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)”