Sanguisugabogg – Hideous Aftermath (Review)

Sanguisugabogg - Hideous AftermathSanguisugabogg are a death metal band from the US and this is their third album.

Following on from 2023’s Homicidal Ecstasy comes the 48-minute Hideous Aftermath. Sanguisugabogg have created a limbering death metal monster. Laying bloody waste to all around it, it’s ridiculously enjoyable and well-crafted. Yep, this beats Homicidal Ecstasy to death and revels in its destruction. As much as I liked that record, this is superior in every way that counts. Continue reading “Sanguisugabogg – Hideous Aftermath (Review)”

Heads for the Dead – Never Ending Night of Terror (Review)

Heads for the Dead - Never Ending Night of TerrorThis is the fourth album from international death metal band Heads for the Dead.

I feel Heads for the Dead are an underappreciated band. It’s Swedish death metal at its core, but with a horror theme that’s incorporated well into the music, and it’s great. Serpent’s Curse, Into the Red, The Great Conjuration, and In the Absence of Faith were all high quality outings for the band, so this new record appearing is very welcome indeed. Continue reading “Heads for the Dead – Never Ending Night of Terror (Review)”

Testament – Para Bellum (Review)

Testament - Para BellumTestament are a legendary thrash metal band from the US. This is their 13th studio album, (14th if you count First Strike Still Deadly).

At this stage Testament should need little introduction. They’re an absolutely classic band, and a long time favourite of mine. I’ll link the reviews of their last two albums here – Brotherhood of the Snake / Titans of Creation – as a precursor to Para Bellum, but basically with Testament you know that at the very least you’re going to get a very good metal album to headbang around too. Continue reading “Testament – Para Bellum (Review)”

Today Is the Day – Never Give In (Review)

Today Is the Day - Never Give InThis is the twelfth album from US metal band Today Is the Day.

Following on from 2014’s Animal Mother and 2020’s No Good to Anyone, comes the 47-minute Never Give In. Today Is the Day are fascinating, unique, and unpredictable, which makes every release something special. I’ve been looking forward to digging into this one, whatever it might hold. Continue reading “Today Is the Day – Never Give In (Review)”

Mriodom – Vlies (Review)

Mriodom - VliesThis is the debut album from German doom metal band Mriodom.

Vlies contains 44 minutes of music that takes elements of doom metal, stoner metal, and psychedelic rock into itself, producing five songs that earn their own keep. Mriodom’s music hits the spot nicely. Continue reading “Mriodom – Vlies (Review)”

Agriculture – The Spiritual Sound (Review)

Agriculture - The Spiritual SoundAgriculture are a post-black metal band from the US and this is their second album.

The Spiritual Sound is the 44-minute follow up to 2023’s well-received Agriculture. Combing a range of diverse ingredients into an engaging post-black metal sound, Agriculture’s new record is a step up for the band. Continue reading “Agriculture – The Spiritual Sound (Review)”

Heathe – Control Your Soul’s Desire for Freedom (Review)

Heathe - Control Your Soul's Desire for FreedomThis is the second album from Heathe, a post-metal/rock band from Denmark.

Control Your Soul’s Desire for Freedom is the 64-minute follow up to 2019’s On the Tombstones; the Symbols Engraved. Heathe have developed their sound on this new record, expanding widely into multifaceted  waters that take in a broad set of influences. I’ve tagged this above as post-metal/rock, but it’s not really – at least not in any traditional sense. They are simply the closest broad terms relevant. There’s certainly very little in the way of metal on this record, for example.  Heathe exist in a niche world, where a lot of recognisable materials have been mangled into something quite atypical. Continue reading “Heathe – Control Your Soul’s Desire for Freedom (Review)”

De Profundis – The Gospel of Rot (Review)

De Profundis - The Gospel of RotDe Profundis are a death metal band from the UK and this is their latest EP.

I have a lot of time for De Profundis. If you haven’t already, check out 2014’s Frequencies, 2015’s Kingdom of the Blind, 2018’s The Blinding Light of Faith, and 2022’s The Corruption of Virtue. All are well-worth your time. The band are now back with The Gospel of Rot, which brings us four tracks across 17-minutes, as well as a new bassist and singer. Continue reading “De Profundis – The Gospel of Rot (Review)”

Enragement – Extinguish All Existence (Review)

Enragement - Extinguish All ExistenceEnragement are a Finnish death metal band and this is their fourth album.

Enragement play music that’s rooted in the brutal death metal style, but not limited to it. Across 40 minutes, Extinguish All Existence launches ten vicious tracks at the listener, running them to ground with brutal efficiency and a cruel smile. Continue reading “Enragement – Extinguish All Existence (Review)”

Orbit Culture – Death Above Life (Review)

Orbit Culture - Death Above LifeThis is the fifth album from Swedish metal band Orbit Culture.

I enjoyed 2020’s Nija, 2021’s Shaman, and 2023’s, Descent, so Death Above Life is well-received. If you’re unfamiliar with Orbit Culture, check these previous releases out if you’re a fan of bands such as Gojira, In Flames, Lamb of God, Meshuggah, Metallica, Slipknot, Soilwork, Static-X, Sylosis, Thy Art Is Murder, and Trivium. Continue reading “Orbit Culture – Death Above Life (Review)”