Black Royal – Earthbound (Review)

Black Royal - Earthbound (Review)This is the third album from Finnish sludge metal band Black Royal.

We’ve met Black Royal before, on their 2016 EP The Summoning Pt.2, as well as their previous album Firebride, which made quite an impact. With a duration of 48 minutes Earthbound delivers meaty songs full of nutrient-dense tastiness. Continue reading “Black Royal – Earthbound (Review)”

Omegavortex/Pious Levus – Split (Review)

Omegavortex Pious Levus - SplitOmegavortex and Pious Levus are both black/death metal bands. The former are from Germany and the latter are from the US, (and also contain members of Hod).

Omegavortex start the split off with 6 tracks spread across 24 minutes. Continue reading “Omegavortex/Pious Levus – Split (Review)”

Rhythm of Fear – Fatal Horizons (Review)

Rhythm of Fear - Fatal HorizonsThis is the second album from US thrash metallers Rhythm of Fear.

Now that’s some old-school cover art right there. The music is equally old-school, delivering 47 minutes of spiked crossover thrash metal heaviness. Continue reading “Rhythm of Fear – Fatal Horizons (Review)”

Ripped to Shreds – 劇變 (Jubian) (Review)

Ripped to Shreds - 劇變 (Jubian)This is the third album from US death metallers Ripped to Shreds.

Featuring current and ex-members of bands such as Azath, Disincarnation, and Spinebreaker, 劇變 (Jubian) contains 36 minutes of meaty death metal heaviness. Continue reading “Ripped to Shreds – 劇變 (Jubian) (Review)”

Vacuous – Dreams of Dysphoria (Review)

Vacuous - Dreams of DysphoriaThis is the debut album from UK death metallers Vacuous.

Dreams of Dysphoria presents us with 34 minutes of hideous old-school death metal. At least, that’s the simplistic summary. The harsh and terrifying reality is that Vacuous offer something a little different, a little darker than that of your average old-school death metal act. Continue reading “Vacuous – Dreams of Dysphoria (Review)”

Birds in Row – Gris Klein (Review)

Birds in Row - Gris KleinBirds in Row are a French post-hardcore band and this is their third album.

Gris Klein is the 43-minute follow-up to 2018’s We Already Lost the World, and it has been more than worth the wait. Continue reading “Birds in Row – Gris Klein (Review)”

Lorna Shore – Pain Remains (Review)

Lorna Shore - Pain RemainsThis is the fourth album from US blackened deathcore band Lorna Shore.

Pain Remains offers a well-crafted 61 minutes of modern professional deathcore. Ambitious in scope, but superlative in execution, Pain Remains is epic, brutal, and atmospheric, probably about in equal measure. Continue reading “Lorna Shore – Pain Remains (Review)”

Daeva – Through Sheer Will and Black Magic… (Review)

Daeva - Through Sheer Will and Black MagicThis is the debut album from US black/thrash metallers Daeva.

This is the follow up to 2017’s Pulsing Dark Absorptions, which seems like it was released way back in the depths of time, but in reality was actually only five years ago. Through Sheer Will and Black Magic… delivers 37 minutes of characterful carnage. I’m not the biggest fan of blackened thrash, but when done well as it is here, I pay attention. Continue reading “Daeva – Through Sheer Will and Black Magic… (Review)”