This is the second album from Kurokuma, a doom/sludge band from the UK.
Kurokuma have come a long way since they started, from 2016’s sludge/doom EP Advorsus which pegged them as ones to watch, to 2022’s more adventurous debut album Born of Obsidian. The band are now back with the 38-minute Of Amber and Sand, which finds Kurokuma pushing their experimental side even further, while retaining their core of heaviness. Continue reading “Kurokuma – Of Amber and Sand (Review)”
This is a split between Draghkar and Helcaraxë, both death metal bands from the US.
I missed this earlier in the year, but here it is now, and you’d better believe it’s worth your time to give it a few spins. I’m a big fan of Draghkar, so I couldn’t let this slide by without comment, (make sure you check out World Unraveled, split with Desekryptor, The Endless Howling Abyss, and At the Crossroads of Infinity). On this split with Helcaraxë both bands offer up one song. Continue reading “Draghkar/Helcaraxë – A Glorious Call in the Terrible Darkness – Split (Review)”
I couldn’t miss an opportunity to see Saor again, especially on an event like this – the 10th anniversary of Aura. The entire lineup is good though, although getting to the venue tonight is not without incident, annoyingly. Continue reading “Saor/Cân Bardd – Rebellion, Manchester – 28/07/24 (Live Review)”
Svartelder are a Norwegian black metal band and this is their third album.
Svartelder contain current/ex-members of bands such as 1349, Den Saakaldte, Doedsvangr, Enepsigos, From the Vastland, Gaahls Wyrd, Horizon Ablaze, Nattverd, Nordjevel, and others, which is a lot of talent all in one place. Does the 38* minutes of material we find on Trenches live up to the promise that this collective experience brings with it? Continue reading “Svartelder – Trenches (Review)”
This is the third album from Carnophage, a Turkish death metal band.
It’s been a long time since 2016’s Monument, but Carnophage have now unleashed a new album. Matter of a Darker Nature is a 33-minute death metal masterclass – rooted in the brutal death metal style, but not limited to it. Continue reading “Carnophage – Matter of a Darker Nature (Review)”
This is the second album from UK stoner/sludge metallers Barbarian Hermit.
It’s been six long years since 2018’s Solitude and Savagery, but now Barbarian Hermit have returned, and with a different vocalist. Mean Sugar contains 44 minutes of new music for us to hungrily devour. Continue reading “Barbarian Hermit – Mean Sugar (Review)”
Respire are a post-hardcore/screamo band from Canada and this is their fourth album.
Now here’s something interesting. Respire describe themselves as an orchestral post-everything collective. They have seven core members, six of whom provide vocals, and collectively they play the usual instruments you’d expect, plus synths, viola, violin, and trumpet. There are also guests that bring vocals, saxophone, piano, synths, glockenspiel, music box, vibraphone, and additional strings to the mix. There’s a lot going on here. Continue reading “Respire – Hiraeth (Review)”
Mourners Lament are a doom/death metal band from Chile and this is their second album.
It’s been a long time since 2016’s We All Be Given, but finally its successor is here, (although the band did release an EP in 2022, apparently). Mourners Lament have a new lineup and an expanded, more ambitious vision for their sound. A Grey Farewell builds on We All Be Given, with Mourners Lament returning with a record that has been worth the lengthy weight. Continue reading “Mourners Lament – A Grey Farewell (Review)”
Pathogenic Virulence are a death metal band from the UK and this is their second album.
Brought to us by an ex-member of Necrovile, Scourged contains 31 minutes of brutal death metal. It’s ferocious and uncompromising, yet also has more depth to it than many ostensibly similar bands. Continue reading “Pathogenic Virulence – Scourged (Review)”
This is the debut album from US one-woman black/death metal band Gun Girl.
What’s this? Another project by the same artist that brought us the amazing Lust Hag? Sign me up! Vengeant Siege of Unholy Divinity is 24 minutes of ugliness and mayhem. It’s harsh and unforgiving, and just wants to destroy. Continue reading “Gun Girl – Vengeant Siege of Unholy Divinity (Review)”
Wonderbox Metal 