Wonderbox Metal

Anciients – Beyond the Reach of the Sun (Review)

This is the third album from Canadian progressive metal band Anciients.

I haven’t heard Anciients since their 2013 album Heart of Oak, and it’s been a long eight years since their last release, (2016’s Voice of the Void, which I completely missed out on), so I’ve some cathing up to do. I really like their debut though, so was looking forward to the 59 minuets of Beyond the Reach of the Sun. The band have a new lineup, but they still don’t let me down. Continue reading “Anciients – Beyond the Reach of the Sun (Review)”

Demonical – Victorious Death – Live in Latin America (Review)

This is the latest release from Swedish death metal band Demonical.

Although certainly not my first love, and I don’t usually seek them out, I do enjoy a good live album. I really like Demonical, so knew I wanted to check out this live recording as soon as I saw it. Bursting at the seams with 62 minutes of chainsaw-driven death metal, there’s a lot of meaty music here to get your teeth stuck into. Continue reading “Demonical – Victorious Death – Live in Latin America (Review)”

Sur Austru – Datura Străhiarelor (Review)

Sur Austru are an atmospheric black/folk metal band from Romania and this is their third album.

Datura Străhiarelor is the 54-minute follow up to 2019’s Meteahna Timpurilor and 2021’s Obârșie. Sur Austru’s path is not a well-trodden one, and on this new album the band have travelled further into the wilderness, to great effect. Continue reading “Sur Austru – Datura Străhiarelor (Review)”

Nails – Every Bridge Burning (Review)

This is the third album from Nails, a grindcore band from the US.

There are a fair few albums being released in 2024 that are hotly anticipated, including some from bands that haven’t released anything for a while. For me, near the top of that list is Every Bridge Burning by Nails. 2016’s You Will Never Be One of Us was a grindcore/powerviolence/hardcore monster, so this new record has a lot to live up to. Continue reading “Nails – Every Bridge Burning (Review)”

Ellende – Todbringerin (Review)

This is the fifth album from Ellende, a solo black metal band from Austria.

I’ve heard of Ellende for a while, but this is my first encounter with the band. I have to say, I wish I’d paid more attention earlier, as this is sterling stuff. Todbringerin contains 50 minutes of expressive black metal. Continue reading “Ellende – Todbringerin (Review)”

Concrete Winds – Concrete Winds (Review)

This is the third album from Finnish death metallers Concrete Winds.

Concrete Winds is a 25-minute monstrosity that bleeds violence from every infected pore. It’s abrasive and hateful, yet carries with it more depth and substance than you’d probably expect; Concrete Winds seem to know what they’re doing. Continue reading “Concrete Winds – Concrete Winds (Review)”

To the Grave – Everyone’s a Murderer (Review)

To the Grave are an Australian deathcore band and this is their third album.

Quickly following on from 2023’s Director’s Cuts, To the Grave are back with the 35-minute Everyone’s a Murderer. I wasn’t expecting to hear more new material so soon from them, but I’m not complaining. Continue reading “To the Grave – Everyone’s a Murderer (Review)”

Norna – Norna (Review)

This is the second album from Swiss sludge/doom band Norna.

Norna contains 41 minutes of dark heavy ugliness, brought to us by the ex-singer of Breach and two members of Ølten. Norna’s music will surely satiate fans hungry for the heavier, darker side of sludge/doom/post-metal. Continue reading “Norna – Norna (Review)”

Gutvoid – Breathing Obelisk (Review)

This is the latest EP from Canadian death metallers Gutvoid.

This is 4-track EP follows on from Gutvoid’s enjoyable 2022’s Durance of Lightless Horizons. With a duration of 30 minutes there’s plenty of meat on the bones of Breathing Obelisk, so let’s dig in and see what it tastes like. Continue reading “Gutvoid – Breathing Obelisk (Review)”

Feind – Ambulante Hirnamputation (Review)

This is the debut album from German grindcore band Feind.

I often think of grindcore as one of my favourite genres, yet it’s one that I rarely get to encounter quality new bands. This is why, when I become aware of something like Ambulante Hirnamputation, I had to make sure I didn’t miss out on it. It’s 17 tracks, with a duration of only 13 minutes, and it absolutely rips the opposition to shreds. Continue reading “Feind – Ambulante Hirnamputation (Review)”