Wow, what an unexpectedly rich source of great music January was. I honestly can’t remember a January that had so many metal releases that were this good. I’ve chosen five of the best below, and none of them are to be missed… Continue reading “Monthly Overview – the Best of January 2022”
Kurokuma – Born of Obsidian (Review)
This is the debut album from Kurokuma, a doom/sludge band from the UK.
Both times that I’ve encountered Kurokuma, (2016’s Advorsus and 2019’s Sheffield’s Best Metal Bands Vol. 1), I’ve liked what I’ve heard, and now it’s finally time for their long-awaited debut album to see the light of day. The band have been slowly gathering Continue reading “Kurokuma – Born of Obsidian (Review)”
Devourer – Raptus (Review)
Devourer are a Swedish/Russian black metal band and this is their fourth album.
I really enjoyed 2017’s Across the Empty Plains and 2019’s Dawn of Extinction, so upon receipt of Raptus it was a must-listen.
Ever since first hearing Devourer back in 2017 I was immediately Continue reading “Devourer – Raptus (Review)”
Abhoria – Abhoria (Review)
This is the debut album from US black metallers Abhoria.
So, here we have a 42-minute black metal release that claims inspiration from Immortal, Dark Funeral and Emperor. How could I resist sampling its dark delights?
Abhoria present their second wave-influenced assault with a Continue reading “Abhoria – Abhoria (Review)”
Venom Prison – Erebos (Review)
This is the third album from UK death metallers Venom Prison.
Venom Prison have made a sterling reputation for themselves with their 2016 debut album Animus, their 2019 follow up Samsara, as well as some scorching live appearances.
Erebos is the band’s longest Continue reading “Venom Prison – Erebos (Review)”
The Final Sleep – Vessels of Grief (Review)
This is the debut album from The Final Sleep, a progressive metal band from the US.
Vessels of Grief has an interesting and engaging sound that works well for the band. Mixing a range of influences together into six songs that have a strong old-school feel to them, The Final Sleep still manage to avoid sounding dated or tired, despite this. Continue reading “The Final Sleep – Vessels of Grief (Review)”
Mass Worship – Portal Tombs (Review)
This is the second album from Mass Worship, an extreme metal band from Sweden.
The Mass Worship formula for delivering a crushing metal album is one of finding the best ratio of metal, death metal and hardcore. At the Gates, Meshuggah, and Mastodon are all mentioned as influences, and these help appreciate where Mass Worship are coming from. Continue reading “Mass Worship – Portal Tombs (Review)”
Abysmal Dawn – Nightmare Frontier (Review)
Abysmal Dawn are a death metal band from the US and this is their latest EP.
Abysmal Dawn are always worth checking out, in my humble opinion. Their brand of modern death metal is heavyweight and satisfying, and their latest EP offers 19 minutes of meaty aggression to satisfy fans of the style. Continue reading “Abysmal Dawn – Nightmare Frontier (Review)”
Breaths – Though Life Has Turned out Nothing Like I Imagined, It Is Far Better Than I Could Have Dreamt (Review)
This is the second album from US one-man post-metal band Breaths.
Here we have 35 minutes of music that’s described as a mix of post-metal, black metal, doom metal, shoegaze, post-rock, progressive metal, and post-hardcore, and recommended for bands such as Alcest, Deftones, Deafheaven, and Sleep Token. Believe it or not, this wide mix of genres actually makes sense within the context of the bands mentioned, so a picture can start to form of what the Breaths sound is like before you encounter the artist’s emotive metal. Continue reading “Breaths – Though Life Has Turned out Nothing Like I Imagined, It Is Far Better Than I Could Have Dreamt (Review)”
Darkest Mind – Oracle of Death (Review)
This is the debut album from Belgian black metal band Darkest Mind.
Oracle of Death saw the light of day at the end of last year, and I confess that I overlooked it largely due to its cover. Not that it’s bad artwork by any means, but the bright colours didn’t inspire me to check it out. My loss. Having now had the album brough to my attention once more, Continue reading “Darkest Mind – Oracle of Death (Review)”
Wonderbox Metal 