This is the debut album from solo US black metal band Ogasawara.
The Ages of Stars is a 35-minute concept album that ably showcases what the artist behind Ogasawara is capable of. If you’re looking for a well-crafted black metal album that covers a few different bases, then this is for you. Continue reading “Ogasawara – The Age of Stars (Review)”
Solar Temple and Dead Neanderthals are both from the Netherlands. The former plays black metal, (and contains members of Fluisteraars and Dool), and the latter is an experimental act.
Embers Beget the Divine documents the live show that the Continue reading “Solar Temple & Dead Neanderthals – Embers Beget the Divine (Review)”
Apes are a grindcore band from Canada and this is their debut album.
I thoroughly enjoyed 2017’s Lightless, with its hybrid blackened sludge/grind assault. It wasn’t until 2022 that we saw new material though, with the EP Lullabies for Eternal Sleep. Thankfully we haven’t had to wait quite as long for Apes’ second album, Penitence. Continue reading “Apes – Penitence (Review)”
This is the seventh album from New Zealand death metal act Ulcerate.
Following on from 2016’s Shrines of Paralysis and 2020’s Stare into Death and Be Still, the mighty Ulcerate have now returned with the 58-minute Cutting the Throat of God. Continue reading “Ulcerate – Cutting the Throat of God (Review)”
What an incredible lineup this is. I mean, just look at it. It’s ridiculous. I’ve never been to Fortress Festival before, (this is its second year), or Scarborough, but this was an event not to be missed. My words below won’t really do justice to what a great festival this was, but hopefully you’ll get a flavour of it at the very least.
Before we get into it – if you’ve ever read one of my live reviews previously you’ll notice that the quality of the photos used here far, far, far outstrips my usual meagre efforts. This is because I didn’t take them. I’m enormously pleased to say that they very talented Aleksandra Hogg captured and supplied all of these photos, and I urge you to check out her work at Acidolka here, here, or here. Continue reading “Fortress Festival 2024 – Scarborough Spa, Scarborough, 01-02/06/24 (Live Review)”
This is the debut album from French black metallers Houle.
After thoroughly enjoying Houle’s 2022 debut self titled EP, I was pleased to see Ciel Cendre et Misère Noire appear. Houle deliver 45 minutes minutes of melodic black metal across this album, and the record is a scorcher. Continue reading “Houle – Ciel Cendre et Misère Noire (Review)”
Mumuksu/Iravu are both solo acts from Malaysia. The latter plays black metal, and the former doom.
I thoroughly enjoyed Iravu’s debut album from last year – A Fate Worse Than Home – so knew I wanted to check out this split. It contains three tracks and has a total duration of 55 minutes. The first two songs are by the individual artists, and the final is a collaboration between them both. Continue reading “Mumuksu/Iravu – Sudra – Split (Review)”
This is the third album from US black metal band Oubliette.
I really liked 2018’s The Passage, and I can’t quite believe it’s been six years since that record. Now the band are back, with a refreshed lineup, (which includes the drummer of Inferi), and 39 minutes of new material in the shape of Eternity Whispers. Continue reading “Oubliette – Eternity Whispers (Review)”
Severe Torture are a death metal band from the Netherlands and this is their sixth album.
Torn from the Jaws of Death is a 39-minute hammer smash to the face. I’ve been a huge fan of Severe Torture ever since 2000’s Feasting on Blood, so to say I’ve been excited for this has been an understatement. I’m pleased to say that Severe Torture have delivered the entrails-smeared goods, and have also brought some additional torture implements with them too. Continue reading “Severe Torture – Torn from the Jaws of Death (Review)”
Huntsmen are a US progressive metal band and this is their third album.
Leaving a lasting mark with 2018’s striking American Scrap, Huntsmen made a strong first impression with their debut record. They followed this up with 2020’s Mandala of Fear, which saw the band go big in many different ways, living up to their early promise. It’s now four years later and here we have The Dry Land, which gives us 42 minutes of new material. What does the Huntsmen of 2024 provide us with? Continue reading “Huntsmen – The Dry Land (Review)”
Wonderbox Metal 