Mangata Festival was not at all on my radar, until I found out that Ante-Inferno, Abduction, and Devastator were playing it, (originally The Infernal Sea too). Throw in Wolvencrown, who I’ve never seen before, and it certainly peaked my interest. Continue reading “Mangata Festival – Nottingham, 12/07/25 (Live Review)”
This is the third album from UK doom/heavy metal band King Witch.
King Witch play classic doom and heavy metal spliced with equally vintage grunge and heavy rock. It’s a very effective mix, showcasing the band’s songwriting skill as they deliver 44 minutes of the good stuff. III is a high quality record through and through. Continue reading “King Witch – III (Review)”
This is the seventh album from UK doom metal band Alunah.
Alunah seem to be on an upward trajectory. From 2017’s Solennial to 2019’s Violet Hour to 2022’s Strange Machine, there doesn’t seem to be any stopping the band. Strange Machine I loved in particular. This makes Fever Dream hotly anticipated over here, although bittersweet, as apparently it’s to be the last album featuring the band’s excellent singer Siân Greenaway, which is a huge shame. Continue reading “Alunah – Fever Dream (Review)”
So here we are again. It’s December, and year end lists are flying around like shrapnel. Due to the inherent subjectivity of music it’s always interesting to see what people have made of the preceding year.
For me, I made a concerted effort to drag myself away from the depths of black metal’s always-enticing abyss to spend some more time with other genres and styles that I also love. I said something similar last year, but I feel this year I was more successful in achieving that end. Of course, I still love black metal, still listen to it constantly, and you’ll still find some great examples of the blackened arts in the list below.
2022 was a strong year for death metal for me, and I enjoyed more death metal bands in a deeper way than I have done for some time. In every year there are standout releases, but I felt this year the standard was raised throughout. Possibly I was simply more receptive to it. Either way, you’ll find more death metal-related acts, and in higher spots, in this selection than you’ll have seen in my lists for a while.
As with last year, grindcore was largely absent from my year, disappointingly, as was hardcore. Additionally, the sort of lengthy, ugly, abyssal doom that I love so much has been largely lacking too. It’s all probably out there somewhere, but I didn’t catch it.
The top two spots this year are both claimed by albums/bands/styles that I simply could not have predicted would be at the pinnacle of my list by the year’s end, (one of the bands I hadn’t even heard of in January). I hope you enjoy these excellent records even half as much as I do.
Lastly I just want to say a big thank you to any and all that might read this site. It’s only a small endeavour, and I do it purely for the love of all things METAL and to support bands that I enjoy in whatever minor way I can, but if this is you, a heartfelt thank you for enduring my scribblings.
On to it! Continue reading “Wonderbox Metal End of Year List – Best Metal of 2022”
Another month, another explosion of quality metal albums to listen to and fall in love with. Peruse the five standout releases below from April and let me know what tickles your fancy… Continue reading “Monthly Overview – the Best of April 2022”
This is the sixth album from Alunah, a doom metal band from the UK.
Both 2017’s Solennial and 2019’s Violet Hour were solid examples of Alunah’s art, and Strange Machine carries 42 minutes of new tunes to enjoy. At this point in their career Alunah know how to play this sort of music; a Sabbathian mix of doom, hard rock, and stoner that’s based around good songs and a strong singer. What can go wrong with a formula like this? Continue reading “Alunah – Strange Machine (Review)”
This is the fifth album from UK doom metal/rock band Alunah.
Having enjoyed 2017’s Solennial, the band have now returned with a new lineup, (including a new singer/guitarist, and the bassist of Diamond Head on second guitar). Continue reading “Alunah – Violet Hour (Review)”
Aphonic Threnody are a funeral doom band with an international lineup and this is their second album.
Featuring members of Arrant Saudade, Towards Atlantis Lights, and Dea Marica, and with guests from many other bands, including Alunah, Mournful Congregation, and My Shameful, before you even press play it seems apparent that there’s little chance of Of Loss and Grief falling flat on its face. And, when you do finally press play, you’re Continue reading “Aphonic Threnody – Of Loss and Grief (Review)”
This is the fourth album from UK doom metal band Alunah.
An obvious focal point for anyone listening to Alunah is the incredibly impressive singing voice of their vocalist. She has the kind of voice that can soar ethereally, while also providing softer, more intimate vocals when Continue reading “Alunah – Solennial (Review)”
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