Mephitic Grave – Dreadful Seizures (Review)

Mephitic Grave - Dreadful SeizuresThis is the second album from Mephitic Grave, a death metal band from Hungary.

Dreadful Seizures contains 34 minutes of old-school death metal. Drawn up into the light from the most ancient of caverns, Mephitic Grave’s music is a rotten and fetid mass of nastiness and gruesome presence. Continue reading “Mephitic Grave – Dreadful Seizures (Review)”

Jenner – Prove Them Wrong (Review)

Jenner - Prove Them WrongThis is the second album from Serbian thrash metal band Jenner.

Prove Them Wrong contains 45 minutes of classic thrashing metal the likes of which you don’t commonly encounter in 2023. It’s very endearing and top fun – Jenner know how to play this sort of thing that’s for sure. Continue reading “Jenner – Prove Them Wrong (Review)”

Ὁπλίτης (Hoplites) – Παραμαινομένη (Review)

Ὁπλίτης (Hoplites) - ΠαραμαινομένηThis is the fourth album from Ὁπλίτης, (otherwise known as Hoplites), a solo post-black metal band from China.

So, it was January 2023, and out of nowhere Ὁπλίτης appeared into my life with the devastating Ψευδομένη; a uniquely brutal record that introduced me to the atypical blackened world of this enigmatic entity. This, rather unexpectedly, was quickly followed up by the equally destructive Τρωθησομένη and then Ἀντιτιμωρουμένη. This punishing rate of releases Continue reading “Ὁπλίτης (Hoplites) – Παραμαινομένη (Review)”

Thirsting Altar – Reclamation (Review)

Thirsting Altar - ReclamationThis is the second EP from US black metallers Thirsting Altar.

Following up on 2020’s debut release Ascension, and back with a new, expanded lineup, we have Thirsting Altar with their latest 21-minute EP Reclamation. Continue reading “Thirsting Altar – Reclamation (Review)”

Resin Tomb – Cerebral Purgatory (Review)

Resin Tomb - Cerebral PurgatoryThis is the debut album from Australian death metal band Resin Tomb.

Cerebral Purgatory is brought to us by members of Descent and Siberian Hell Sounds, and assails the listener with 29 minutes of scathing deathgrindsludge mayhem. Continue reading “Resin Tomb – Cerebral Purgatory (Review)”

Abhoria – Depths (Review)

Abhoria - DepthsAbhoria are a black metal band from the US and this is their second album.

Featuring members of the mighty Ashen Horde, Depths is the 45-minute follow up Abhoria’s 2022’s self-titled record. There’s a new vocalist this time around too, (from In the Company of Serpents), who delivers a visceral performance throughout, with savage screams and world-swallowing growls. Continue reading “Abhoria – Depths (Review)”

Andracca – To Bare the Weight of Death (Review)

Andracca - To Bare the Weight of DeathAndracca are a black metal band from the UK and this is their second album.

To Bare the Weight of Death clocks in at 39 minutes long and showcases a capable band playing a style they clearly love. Andracca weave the their dark magic through a mixture of melodic malevolence, bleak blackened fury, sinister atmosphere, and classic icy might. Continue reading “Andracca – To Bare the Weight of Death (Review)”

Lord Dying – Clandestine Transcendence (Review)

Lord Dying - Clandestine TranscendenceThis is the fourth album from Lord Dying, a sludge metal band from the US.

I absolutely loved 2019’s Mysterium Tremendum, (it ended up in fourth position in that year’s best of list), so I was thrilled when the 59-minute Clandestine Transcendence appeared. Well, it’s five years later and the band have a new lineup, (current/ex-Eight Bells/Tithe), so what does Clandestine Transcendence have to offer discerning metal fans in 2024? Continue reading “Lord Dying – Clandestine Transcendence (Review)”

Ribspreader – Reap Humanity (Review)

Ribspreader - Reap HumanityRibspreader are a Swedish death metal band and this is their tenth album.

Brought to us by the incredibly prolific Rogga Johansson, (Down Among the Dead Men, Echelon, Megascavenger, Paganizer, Those Who Bring the Torture, and a million others), along with current/ex-members of Deicide, Inhuman Condition, Kill Division, Venom Inc., and Wombbath), Reap Humanity boasts 36 minutes of experienced death metal carnage. Continue reading “Ribspreader – Reap Humanity (Review)”