Ihsahn – Telemark (Review)

Ihsahn - TelemarkThis is the latest EP from Ihsahn, a legendary black, progressive, and experimental metal artist.

Containing 5 tracks, including two covers, (Iron Maiden and Lenny Kravitz), Ihsahn’s latest EP features 26 minutes showcasing the artist’s more aggressive side. Continue reading “Ihsahn – Telemark (Review)”

Blaze of Perdition – The Harrowing of Hearts (Review)

Blaze of Perdition - The Harrowing of HeartsBlaze of Perdition are a Polish black metal band and this is their fifth album.

A new Blaze of Perdition album is always welcome, with both 2015’s Near Death Revelations and 2017’s Conscious Darkness setting high standards. Pleasingly, The Harrowing of Hearts doesn’t let the side down, and offers 51 minutes of quality material, including a Fields of the Nephilim cover that closes the album. Continue reading “Blaze of Perdition – The Harrowing of Hearts (Review)”

Plague – Portraits of Mind (Review)

Plague - Portraits of MindPlague are a Greek death metal band and this is their debut album.

Plague are an old-school death metal band that take influence from the 90s American scene, but do so in such a way that they seem to make it their own. This is ultimately a chunky slab of timeless death metal, shot through with classic influences, as well as some modern ones too. Despite an obvious debt to the mighty Death, the music has its own personality and brutal charm that can’t be denied. Continue reading “Plague – Portraits of Mind (Review)”

Pénitence Onirique – Vestige (Review)

Pénitence Onirique - VestigeThis is the second album from French black metallers Pénitence Onirique.

It seems like ages ago that V.I.T.R.I.O.L. came out, and it was 2016 I suppose. The record made an impression, so I’m pleased to now be presented with its successor Vestige; 53 minutes of new material. Continue reading “Pénitence Onirique – Vestige (Review)”

Sepultura – Quadra (Review)

Sepultura - QuadraLegendary Brazilian metal band Sepultura return with their fifteenth album.

In my humble opinion 2017’s Machine Messiah was the band’s best album since the iconic Roots, and it’s a release I’m still really enjoying now. With Quadra the band continue their upward ascent with another album of sterling quality, one that promises to have every bit of longevity that its predecessor had. Continue reading “Sepultura – Quadra (Review)”

Krosis – A Memoir of Free Will (Review)

Krosis - A Memoir of Free WillThis is the second album from Krosis, a deathcore band from the US.

Here we have the follow up to 2018’s Solem Vatem, and it’s a damn good one. While Solem Vatem was a solid, enjoyable release, A Memoir of Free Will finds the band levelling up in pretty much every area as far as I’m concerned. Continue reading “Krosis – A Memoir of Free Will (Review)”

Atavisma/Void Rot – Split (Review)

Atavisma Void Rot - SplitAtavisma and Void Rot are both death/doom bands, the former from France and the latter from the US.

I do so enjoy a good split, and this is exactly one such release. We start off with Atavisma, who offer 3 tracks lasting 15 minutes. Continue reading “Atavisma/Void Rot – Split (Review)”

Loathe – I Let It in and It Took Everything (Review)

Loathe - I Let It in and It Took EverythingThis is the second album from UK modern metallers Loathe.

Loathe’s music is based on a modern, contemporary vision of heavy music, and then added to by a wider set of influences. The end result is a multifaceted, textured album that spends 49 minutes exploring diverse and impactful soundscapes with the listener. Continue reading “Loathe – I Let It in and It Took Everything (Review)”

Monthly Overview – the Best of January 2020

2020 beckons, and there’s new metal to be hungrily devoured. This January seems to have been better than the last one release-wise, with a wealth of good albums to choose from. I’ve picked seven below I’ve particularly enjoyed. Let’s see what you think of these… Continue reading “Monthly Overview – the Best of January 2020”