This is the eighth album from Ihsahn, a legendary black, progressive, and avant-garde metal artist.
Ihsahn has never lacked talent or ambition, but on this latest release he has really outdone himself. Ihsahn offers up two album’s worth of material. Each is 49 minutes in length – one is a progressive metal album with orchestral layering, while the other is a fully orchestral version. Continue reading “Ihsahn – Ihsahn (Review)”
This is the second album from Spanish death metal band Eternal Storm.
A Giant Bound to Fall is a much anticipated album in the land of progressive death metal. 2019’s Come the Tide was a very well-regarded album, so five years later, what have the Eternal Storm of 2024 delivered to us? Continue reading “Eternal Storm – A Giant Bound to Fall (Review)”
This is the debut album from Italian blackened doom metal band Ponte del Diavolo.
Okay, so here we have something quite interesting. When the promo blurb mentions both Electric Wizard and Darkthrone, you know it’s one to take an interest in. I will say that this doesn’t fully cover what you’ll find on Fire Blades from the Tomb though, so I’ll also mention here bands such as Messa, King Woman, Vanishing Kids, and Siouxsie and the Banshees, to give a broader impression. Continue reading “Ponte del Diavolo – Fire Blades from the Tomb (Review)”
This is the third album from Spanish death metal band Pestilength.
I’ve really been looking forward to hearing Solar Clorex, and its 36-minute experience has not disappointed. Self-styled as corrosive death metal, this appellation fits Pestilength’s music perfectly. Continue reading “Pestilength – Solar Clorex (Review)”
This is the debut album from US death metallers Sinistrum.
I’m not sure what initially drew me to check out Sinistrum, but as soon as I saw that they contain current and ex-members of Abominant, Bihargam, Aeons of Eclipse, and Fornicus, I knew I had to give this a proper go. Continue reading “Sinistrum – Infernal Dawn (Review)”
This is the second album from Contaminated, an Australian death metal band.
Having enjoyed 2014’s Pestilential Decay, 2017’s Final Man, and 2019’s split with Kutabare, I almost missed Celebratory Beheading when it appeared on my promo pile due to the different style of artwork. Yes, I’m apparently that easily confused! I’m glad I took a second look though, as it’s great to catch up with what Contaminated are up to these days. Continue reading “Contaminated – Celebratory Beheading (Review)”
This is the third album from US grindcore band Knoll.
Following on from 2022’s blistering Metempiric comes As Spoken, its 41-minute follow up. On their new record Knoll have continued to push their punishing sound forward, embracing the nihilistic darkness more than ever. Continue reading “Knoll – As Spoken (Review)”
Chapel of Disease are a German progressive death metal/rock band and this is their fourth album.
Whereas 2025’s The Mysterious Work of Repetitive Art was a sinuous slab of old-school death metal played with uncommon depth, 2018’s …And as We Have Seen the Storm, We Have Embraced the Eye took Chapel of Disease into much more progressive waters. Now, 6 years later, where does Echoes of Light find this exceptional act? Continue reading “Chapel of Disease – Echoes of Light (Review)”
This is the second album from US one-woman black metal band Hulder.
2022’s The Eternal Fanfare grew on me over time the more I listened to it, so I’ve been looking forward to Verses in Oath. I’m pleased to say that it has met my expectations. Continue reading “Hulder – Verses in Oath (Review)”
This is the second album from US death/doom band Spectral Voice.
Featuring members of Black Curse and Blood Incantation, Spectral Voice play the sort of humungous death doom that crushes mountains and destroys villages. Sparagmos boasts 46 minutes of material that’s as distressing as it is rewarding. Continue reading “Spectral Voice – Sparagmos (Review)”
Wonderbox Metal 