Wonderbox Metal

Cloud Rat – Pollinator/Do Not Let Me Off the Cliff (Review)

This is the fourth album from Cloud Rat, a grindcore band from the US.

In my humble opinion Cloud Rat are one of the most forward-thinking, talented, and innovative grindcore bands out there, although simply labelling them grindcore is misleading and constricting, as their work frequently features so much more than your standard grindcore fare. Releases such as Qliphoth, and their various splits demonstrate this amply. Continue reading “Cloud Rat – Pollinator/Do Not Let Me Off the Cliff (Review)”

Nightfell – A Sanity Deranged (Review)

This is the third album from Nightfall, a US death/doom Metal band.

2014’s The Living Ever Mourn and 2015’s Darkness Evermore were both notable for their character and quality. Unlike the short gap between those two albums, however, we have had to wait considerably longer for A Sanity Deranged. I confess I have been looking forward to hearing this quite a lot. Continue reading “Nightfell – A Sanity Deranged (Review)”

Ram – The Throne Within (Review)

This is the sixth album from Swedish heavy metallers Ram.

Since 2015’s Svbversvm, and then 2017’s Rod, I have been a huge fan of Ram. Very few heavy metal bands from the last decade or so do it for me quite like Ram. They are, quite simply, just so damn good at what they do. Continue reading “Ram – The Throne Within (Review)”

Mithridatic – Tetanos Mystique (Review)

This is the second album from French blackened death metallers Mithridatic.

2016’s Miserable Miracle was heavy and dirty, in a very good way. Blackened death metal of this sort is frequently done poorly, but Mithridatic got the formula right on their debut album. Continue reading “Mithridatic – Tetanos Mystique (Review)”

Betraying the Martyrs – Rapture (Review)

Betraying the Martyrs are a French metalcore band and this is their fourth album.

Betraying the Martyrs play keyboard-enriched metalcore that contains elements of both technical and nu-metal. The band’s sound makes for a dynamic listen that doesn’t pull punches, either musically or emotionally. Roughly a mix of Bleeding Through, American Headcharge, Carnifex, Korn, Born of Osiris, and Slipknot, Rapture is a rich and enjoyable album. Continue reading “Betraying the Martyrs – Rapture (Review)”

Asagraum – Dawn of Infinite Fire (Review)

Asagraum are an international black metal band and this is their second album.

After 2017’s enjoyable Potestas Magicum Diaboli, Asagraum are now back with another 46 minutes of second wave black metal worship. Continue reading “Asagraum – Dawn of Infinite Fire (Review)”

Monthly Overview – the Best of August 2019

August has provided many a metallic treat, and as you’ll see from the below selection, there’s been a decent amount of quality variety on offer this month too. So let’s get stuck in, as metal won’t listen to itself. Continue reading “Monthly Overview – the Best of August 2019”

Come Back from the Dead – The Rise of the Blind Ones (Review)

Come Back from the Dead are a Spanish death metal band and this is their second album.

My introduction to Come Back from the Dead was on 2017’s Caro Data Vermibus. This was a very pleasing little EP, so it’s good to now see the band return with a new album – 32 minutes of rotten material to sink your fangs into. Continue reading “Come Back from the Dead – The Rise of the Blind Ones (Review)”

Omophagia – 646965 (Review)

Omophagia are a death metal band from Switzerland and this is their third album.

2016’s In the Name of Chaos was solid, muscular death metal, the type that took influence from classic death metal and then gave it a modern slant. 646965 can be roughly described the same way, but with the modern side of the equation ramped up some. Continue reading “Omophagia – 646965 (Review)”

Runespell – Voice of Opprobrium (Review)

Runespell is a solo black metal band from Australia, and this is his third album.

I’ve enjoyed both Unhallowed Blood Oath and Order of Vengeance, and now this new album, hot on the heels of the previous one, has arrived to sate my never-ending thirst for black metal. Continue reading “Runespell – Voice of Opprobrium (Review)”