Wonderbox Metal

Third Ion – Biolith (Review)

This is the second album from Third Ion, a progressive metal band.

Third Ion’s début album 13/8bit was an atypical slice of progressive metal that took a lot of inspiration from video games and chiptune. It shouldn’t have worked, by all rights, but in the band’s skilful hands the album avoided becoming some nonsense novelty and instead they produced an enjoyable 55 minutes of music that offered the listener something a little different.

So what’s changed? Well, they now have a new singer – Dave Padden – Continue reading “Third Ion – Biolith (Review)”

Monument of a Memory – Catharsis (Review)

Monument of a Memory are from the US and play modern metal. This is their second EP.

This is modern metalcore with plenty of aggression and heaviness. The foundation of NWOAHM is intact and added to by some heavier and faster parts, which is always nice to hear.

With a strong sound the band rip through Continue reading “Monument of a Memory – Catharsis (Review)”

Infernal Diatribe – Videha Mukti (Review)

This is the début release from Infernal Diatribe, an Indian black metal band.

This is occult black metal, played with grim atmospheres and morbid delight.

Videha Mukti has a very satisfying production, with the drums in particular coming across well. Whether the drummer is throwing out blast beats, providing a firm double bass bedrock or merely playing a solid beat, it all gives the blackened Continue reading “Infernal Diatribe – Videha Mukti (Review)”

Carnifliate – Slaughterlust (Review)

Carnifliate are a Slovenian death metal band and this is their début album.

Carnifliate play death metal with a bit of deathgrind and a sizeable chunk of huge grooves.

The songs are brutal and straight to the point, but they’re probably not quite what you Continue reading “Carnifliate – Slaughterlust (Review)”

Ursut – Köp Dig Lycklig (Review)

This is the second album by Ursut, a hardcore band from Sweden.

The first thing that strikes me about Ursut is the strong guitar sound. It’s thick, heavy and as black as tar. This is not to mention the winding leads and overal apocalyptic sound that greets you once you press play. Initially I Continue reading “Ursut – Köp Dig Lycklig (Review)”

Despite – Synergi (Review)

Despite are from Sweden and play modern metal. This is their third album.

This makes a good impression very early on. Despite play a kind of modern metal that takes from the Swedish melodic death metal scene of yore, as well as more modern and even some progressive/djent elements. Synergi is my first exposure to the band, and to my ears comes across as a mix of Darkane, In Flames, Fear Factory and Whitechapel.

With three guitarists, the music is nicely heavy and treads the line Continue reading “Despite – Synergi (Review)”

Interview with Hollow Bones

The debut album from Hollow Bones is a furiously energetic beast of modern heaviness and bright melodies. Blending honest aggression and dark emotion, Lionheart is an untamed beast that revels in its freedom to roam where it wants. Singer Patrick Anthony spoke eloquently about his band, his album, and about the ubiquity of loss…

Introduce us to Hollow Bones!

Hi! Hollow Bones is Patrick (me), Sharon, Andrew, Connor, and Kyle. I do vocals, Sharon plays guitar and does vocals, Kyle plays bass and does vocals, Andrew plays guitar, and Connor plays drums!

I didn’t realise it at first, but I actually have Edenborn’s Twentyone Eightythree – what’s the story behind your change in name?

Continue reading “Interview with Hollow Bones”

Interview with Godless

Indian death metallers Godless have unleashed a monster of a debut release in Centuries of Decadence. Muscular metal with thrashing groove has rarely sounded so good and this EP has made an indelible mark on the death metal landscape as far as I’m concerned. I can’t wait to hear what they do next. In the meantime, let’s find out a bit more about the band…

Introduce us to Godless!

We conceptualised the idea of Godless around March 2015. Our aim with Godless is to create music that is powerful and aggressive. It took us a few months to find our sound and direction. By around September we had a setlist and managed to get a vocalist who was on the same page as us and started gigging in October. Continue reading “Interview with Godless”

Diamond Head – Diamond Head (Review)

Diamond Head are a metal band from the UK, this is their seventh album.

One of the original NWOBHM bands that formed way back in the late 70s, Diamond Head need little introduction to most people, although probably few have actually heard their music directly. Always poised for success, it has nevertheless Continue reading “Diamond Head – Diamond Head (Review)”

Strafk – Entomophobia (Review)

Strafk are a Russian black metal band and this is their second EP.

Their début EP, Phaseshifting, was experimental black metal, all dark, menacing guitars and free-form malevolence.

There are two tracks on this new release, with the entire EP lasting under 10 minutes in total, and it has a different feel to it than Phaseshifting.

Up first is a track named Φόβος, and starts off with a sinister Continue reading “Strafk – Entomophobia (Review)”