Wonderbox Metal

Zatokrev – …Bring Mirrors to the Surface (Review)

Zatokrev are a doom/sludge/post-metal band from Switzerland and this is their fifth album.

I was very, very excited to see this one appear. Rather shockingly, it’s been a whole decade since 2015’s Silk Spiders Underwater…, so it’s great to finally have the 65-minute …Bring Mirrors to the Surface. Zatokrev are one of the greatest doom/sludge/post-metal bands in existence, yet are criminally unknown. They’ve now signed to the fantastic Pelagic Records, wo hopefully this will allow them to get the exposure they deserve. Continue reading “Zatokrev – …Bring Mirrors to the Surface (Review)”

Årabrot – Rite of Dionysus (Review)

Årabrot are a Norwegian rock band and this is their eleventh album.

Recorded at the same time as its 2023 predecessor Of Darkness and Light, (the titular track of which is on this new record, and note the stylistically similar cover), Rite of Dionysus contains 43 minutes of new material. Continue reading “Årabrot – Rite of Dionysus (Review)”

Proscription – Desolate Divine (Review)

This is the second album from Finnish death metal band Proscription.

Desolate Divine contains 44 minutes of blackened death metal. This, right here, is the good stuff. Proscription landed on my radar with 2020’s Conduit, (which I could have swore I’d reviewed, but apparently not), but Desolate Divine has destroyed my expectations. Yep, I like this.. Continue reading “Proscription – Desolate Divine (Review)”

Imperishable – Revelation in Purity (Review)

Imperishable are a death metal band from the US and this is their debut album.

Brought to us by current/ex-members of Aurora Borealis, Enthean, Hate Eternal, Malevolent Creation, Nile, and Olkoth, Imperishable have a wealth of experience available to them. What do they do with it? They unleash the 32-minute Revelation in Purity, and you’d better get out of its way, lest you be left a bloody smear on the floor. Continue reading “Imperishable – Revelation in Purity (Review)”

Blutsauger – Nocturnal Blood Tyrants (Review)

This is the debut album from Italian black metal band Blutsauger.

Nocturnal Blood Tyrants contains 34 minutes of primal, atavistic black metal. Blutsauger play it hard, nasty, and grim. It may be 2025, but around these parts it’s 1993. I liked this one a lot. Continue reading “Blutsauger – Nocturnal Blood Tyrants (Review)”

Execrari – Desolation Manifest (Review)

This is the debut album from US black metal band Execrari.

Containing a member of Relentless, Execrari’s style is rooted in black metal’s second wave, while also showing some contemporary influences and progressive, melodic, and avant-garde tendencies. Desolation Manifest has come out of nowhere to really impress. There are six songs, spanning 47 minutes, and each track is a powerful reminder of just how potent black metal can be in the right hands. Exciting even, despite its ancient roots. Continue reading “Execrari – Desolation Manifest (Review)”

Phosphorus – Frail Grasp of Broken Hands (Review)

Phosphorus are a German post-black metal band and this is their debut album.

I came across this randomly as a recommendation on a forum, and I’m glad I checked it out. Phosphorus play a hybrid style, bringing us 37 minutes of compelling material on Frail Grasp of Broken Hands. Continue reading “Phosphorus – Frail Grasp of Broken Hands (Review)”

Rauhnåcht – Zwischenwelten (Review)

This is the fifth album from Austrian solo black metal band Rauhnåcht.

My last encounter with Rauhnåcht was 11 years ago (!) on Urzeitgeist, so I’m long overdue a visit to these pagan black metal lands. Across 41 minutes of material, Zwischenwelten reveals an artist that has apparently only continued to refine and improve his art over time. Continue reading “Rauhnåcht – Zwischenwelten (Review)”

Retching – Charming the Decomposed (Review)

This is the debut album from US death metal band Retching.

What is this rotten bag of offal that has been unceremoniously stuffed through my letterbox? Oh, there’s a note, written in something quite unwholesome that I’d rather not look too closely at. It says – Retching. Then, beneath – Charming the Decomposed. Sounds nasty. Okay, I’d better hold my gag reflex and examine this pile of filth before it gets even more disgusting and I never get the stains out. Continue reading “Retching – Charming the Decomposed (Review)”

In Mourning – The Immortal (Review)

This is the seventh album from Swedish death metal band In Mourning.

In Mourning play melodic death metal with a progressive edge. With a duration of 47 minutes, The Immortal paints a rich canvas that captivates with its emotive depth and melodic colour. Continue reading “In Mourning – The Immortal (Review)”