Hoaxed – Two Shadows (Review)

Hoaxed - Two ShadowsThis is the debut album from US rock band Hoaxed.

Two Shadows offers the discerning listener 28 minutes of characterful dark rock. Comprised of a few different influences from a range of styles, Hoaxed are charismatic and idiosyncratic. Elements of Gothic, melodic, alternative, and folk rock are Continue reading “Hoaxed – Two Shadows (Review)”

Therion – Leviathan II (Review)

Therion - Leviathan IITherion are a Swedish symphonic/operatic metal band and this is their eighteenth album.

2021’s Leviathan was one of my favourite records from that year. How it didn’t end up on my end of year list I’ll never know, and it remains a massive oversight on my part. Suffice to say it’s an absolute killer record, and I love its ostentatious charms. In all honesty I don’t think I’ll have the same long-term reaction to Leviathan II, but that doesn’t stop it from being a damn fine record in its own right. Continue reading “Therion – Leviathan II (Review)”

Defleshed – Grind over Matter (Review)

Defleshed - Grind over MatterThis is the sixth album from Swedish death/thrash metal act Defleshed.

It’s been 17 long years since Defleshed’s last album, but now they’re back with the 34-minute monster that is Grind over Matter. Hang on tight, as you’re in for a wild, but fun ride. Continue reading “Defleshed – Grind over Matter (Review)”

Forlesen – Black Terrain (Review)

Forlesen - Black TerrainThis is the second album from US doom band Forlesen.

2020’s Hierophan Violent was a strikingly individual record, one which, for some reason, I never expected a successor to. Well, I’m happy to be wrong; Black Terrain is flush with 59 minutes of new material from this exceptional act. It’s almost double the length of its predecessor, so do Forlesen make good use of this additional running time? Continue reading “Forlesen – Black Terrain (Review)”

Obsidious – Iconic (Review)

Obsidious - IconicThis is the debut album from international death metallers Obsidious.

Containing current and ex-members of bands such as Alkaloid and Obscura, Obsidious play a form of progressive/technical death metal that melts faces, but does so with an epic hook. Continue reading “Obsidious – Iconic (Review)”

Voidthrone – Metaphysical Degradation (Review)

Voidthrone - Metaphysical DegradationVoidthrone are a US black metal band and this is their third album.

I enjoyed both 2016’s Spiritual War Tactics and 2018’s Kur, so after four long years it’s about time we heard more from Voidthrone. Metaphysical Degradation is a 38-minute mix of black and death metal dissonance, delivered with spite and wrapped in venom. Continue reading “Voidthrone – Metaphysical Degradation (Review)”

Abyssic – Brought Forth in Iniquity (Review)

Abyssic - Brought Forth in IniquityThis is the third album from Norwegian symphonic death/doom band Abyssic.

Oh my, here’s one I’ve definitely been looking forward to. 2015’s A Winter’s Tale and High the Memory were both stunning records that have only grown in my estimation over time. Towering monoliths of symphonic doom and misery, those records have definitely made me hungry for Brought Forth in Iniquity. Continue reading “Abyssic – Brought Forth in Iniquity (Review)”

Worm – Bluenothing (Review)

Worm - BluenothingThis is the latest EP from Worm, a blackened death/doom band from the US.

Worm return! After the monstrous slab of blackened doom malevolence that was 2021’s Foreverglade, Worm are back with 27 minutes of foul new material. Continue reading “Worm – Bluenothing (Review)”

Avatarium – Death, Where Is Your Sting (Review)

Avatarium - Death, Where Is Your StingThis is the fifth album from Swedish dark rock band Avatarium.

Both 2017’s Hurricanes and Halos and 2019’s The Fire I Long For were very enjoyable records, showing good progression from one to the next that simply saw the band improving and diversifying. So what next for Avatarium? Continue reading “Avatarium – Death, Where Is Your Sting (Review)”