Big | Brave – A Chaos of Flowers (Review)

Big Brave - A Chaos of FlowersBig | Brave are a doom/drone band from Canada and this is their seventh album.

New Big | Brave, so soon after last year’s Nature Morte? I’ll take it! If you’re unfamiliar with this remarkable band, check out that record immediately, (and 2017’s Ardor), and then dive into the 40 minutes of material we get on A Chaos of Flowers. Continue reading “Big | Brave – A Chaos of Flowers (Review)”

Marduk/Origin/Doodswens – Club Academy, Manchester – 16/04/24 (Live Review)

Marduk Origin Doodswens - Club Academy, Manchester - 16 04 24 (Live Review)

I’ve been listening to both Marduk and Origin for a long, long, long time, but have never seen either of them. Imagine my surprise and excitement then when I saw this show appear on my radar. Scrumptious stuff indeed. Continue reading “Marduk/Origin/Doodswens – Club Academy, Manchester – 16/04/24 (Live Review)”

Selbst – Despondency Chord Progressions (Review)

Selbst - Despondency Chord ProgressionsThis is the third album from solo black metal act Selbst, originally from Venezuela, and now Chile.

Following on from 2020’s Relatos de Angustia, Despondency Chord Progressions contains 44 minutes of new material. The artist behind Selbst, (also in Animus Mortis), is aided on this release by the drummer of Aversio Humanitatis/Eternal Storm, and has created something quite special. Continue reading “Selbst – Despondency Chord Progressions (Review)”

Blaze of Perdition – Upharsin (Review)

Blaze of Perdition - UpharsinThis is the sixth album from Polish black metallers Blaze of Perdition.

I enjoyed 2015’s Near Death Revelations, 2017’s Conscious Darkness, and 2020’s The Harrowing of Hearts, so was pleased when Upharsin appeared. Across its 41-minute duration Blaze of Perdition create a withering storm of hostile black metal and ceremonial atmosphere. Continue reading “Blaze of Perdition – Upharsin (Review)”

Mære – …And the Universe Keeps Silent (Review)

Mære - .​.​.​And The Universe Keeps SilentThis is the debut album from German death metallers Mære.

Featuring ex-members of Ingurgitating Oblivion, …​And the Universe Keeps Silent contains 37 minutes of lightless dissonant death metal. The promo blurb mentions bands like Gorguts, Incantation, Morbid Angel, Immolation, Replicant, Phobocosm, and Saevus Finis, so this will give you a good idea of where Mære are coming from. Continue reading “Mære – …And the Universe Keeps Silent (Review)”

My Dying Bride – A Mortal Binding (Review)

My Dying Bride - A Mortal BindingThis is the fifteenth album from UK doom metal band My Dying Bride.

A Mortal Binding contains 55 minutes of new music from this legendary act. My Dying Bride have returned with a doom-drenched descent into the abyssal depths of loss and despair. It’s rich in moody darkness, and resplendent with emotive colour. Balancing atmospheric immersion with aggressive melancholy, the songs are captivating examples of a band’s vision expertly rendered. Continue reading “My Dying Bride – A Mortal Binding (Review)”

Uttertomb – Nebulas of Self-Desecration (Review)

Uttertomb - Nebulas of Self-DesecrationUttertomb are a death metal band from Chile and this is their debut album.

Nebulas of Self-Desecration contains 43 minutes of morbid death metal darkness. Manifesting as ancient death metal with a serving of doom horror, if you think of a mix of bands such as Autopsy, Incantation, and Immolation, you’ll have a decent starting point for Uttertomb’s output. Continue reading “Uttertomb – Nebulas of Self-Desecration (Review)”

Dool – The Shape of Fluidity (Review)

Dool - The Shape of FluidityThis is the third album from Dutch dark rock band Dool.

The Shape of Fluidity contains 50 minutes of dark rock music with both a metallic and a Gothic edge, as well as containing elements of doom, post-rock and post-punk. Dool’s music flows together seamlessly, making for an individualistic blend that is extremely enjoyable and moreish. Continue reading “Dool – The Shape of Fluidity (Review)”

Atræ Bilis – Aumicide (Review)

Atræ Bilis - AumicideThis is the second album from Canadian death metal band Atræ Bilis.

Following on from 2021’s Apexapien, Atræ Bilis have now returned with 40 minutes of new material. As enjoyable as that record was, Aumicide is something else. Continue reading “Atræ Bilis – Aumicide (Review)”