Here’s a tasty show that I knew I wanted to catch. Both Viscera and Cabal are extremely well-regarded at Wonderbox Metal, so this was one for me to not miss. It was, however, one of the less well-attended gigs I’ve been to in a while. A shame, but it’s other people’s loss, as this was a damn good night out. Continue reading “Cabal/Viscera/Vexed/Lifesick – Rebellion, Manchester – 16/01/24 (Live Review)”
This is the sixth album from Cuban black metallers Narbeleth.
I always enjoy a new Narbeleth release. If you haven’t already, make sure you check out 2014’s A Hatred Manifesto, 2015’s Through Blackness and Remote Places, 2017’s Indomitvs, and 2021’s Svmma Cvm Nox Arcana, as all are records worthy of your attention if you enjoy second wave black metal. Continuing the trend of releasing albums with seven originals and one cover song, (Satyricon in this case), A Pale Crown contains 45 minutes of material for black metal devotees to savour. Continue reading “Narbeleth – A Pale Crown (Review)”
This is the second album from Mephitic Grave, a death metal band from Hungary.
Dreadful Seizures contains 34 minutes of old-school death metal. Drawn up into the light from the most ancient of caverns, Mephitic Grave’s music is a rotten and fetid mass of nastiness and gruesome presence. Continue reading “Mephitic Grave – Dreadful Seizures (Review)”
This is the second album from Serbian thrash metal band Jenner.
Prove Them Wrong contains 45 minutes of classic thrashing metal the likes of which you don’t commonly encounter in 2023. It’s very endearing and top fun – Jenner know how to play this sort of thing that’s for sure. Continue reading “Jenner – Prove Them Wrong (Review)”
This is the fourth album from Ὁπλίτης, (otherwise known as Hoplites), a solo post-black metal band from China.
So, it was January 2023, and out of nowhere Ὁπλίτης appeared into my life with the devastating Ψευδομένη; a uniquely brutal record that introduced me to the atypical blackened world of this enigmatic entity. This, rather unexpectedly, was quickly followed up by the equally destructive Τρωθησομένη and then Ἀντιτιμωρουμένη. This punishing rate of releases Continue reading “Ὁπλίτης (Hoplites) – Παραμαινομένη (Review)”
This is the second EP from US black metallers Thirsting Altar.
Following up on 2020’s debut release Ascension, and back with a new, expanded lineup, we have Thirsting Altar with their latest 21-minute EP Reclamation. Continue reading “Thirsting Altar – Reclamation (Review)”
This is the debut album from Australian death metal band Resin Tomb.
Cerebral Purgatory is brought to us by members of Descent and Siberian Hell Sounds, and assails the listener with 29 minutes of scathing deathgrindsludge mayhem. Continue reading “Resin Tomb – Cerebral Purgatory (Review)”
Abhoria are a black metal band from the US and this is their second album.
Featuring members of the mighty Ashen Horde, Depths is the 45-minute follow up Abhoria’s 2022’s self-titled record. There’s a new vocalist this time around too, (from In the Company of Serpents), who delivers a visceral performance throughout, with savage screams and world-swallowing growls. Continue reading “Abhoria – Depths (Review)”
Andracca are a black metal band from the UK and this is their second album.
To Bare the Weight of Death clocks in at 39 minutes long and showcases a capable band playing a style they clearly love. Andracca weave the their dark magic through a mixture of melodic malevolence, bleak blackened fury, sinister atmosphere, and classic icy might. Continue reading “Andracca – To Bare the Weight of Death (Review)”
Distances are a post-metal band from the US and this is their fifth album, (assuming you count 2016’s covers album Rip Offs).
Eagerly awaited after 2018’s hugely impressive Diableries, which rightfully made it into the top 3 of my album of the year list for that year, its follow up is finally here. Abstruse contains 41 minutes of new material, and finds the band altered, but full of fire and creative passion. Continue reading “Distances – Abstruse (Review)”
Wonderbox Metal 