Firtan – Helios (Review)

Firtan - HeliosFirtan are a German black metal band and this is their fifth album.

Following on from 2022’s Marter and 2024’s Ethos, Helios brings us 60 minutes of well-crafted atmospheric black metal and post-blackened might. It is a record that reeks of high quality. Firtan have obviously put a lot of energy and care into its creation, and the results pay off. Continue reading “Firtan – Helios (Review)”

Galvanist – The Silence Between Stars (Review)

Galvanist - The Silence Between StarsThis is the second album from US blackened death/doom band Galvanist.

Seemingly arising from the ashes of Arkheron Thodol, Galvanist offer up a 39-minute journey into their well-formed world of idiosyncratic hybrid extreme metal. Taking in elements of atmospheric black metal, progressive death metal, and blackened sludge/doom, The Silence Between Stars is a monstrous record. Continue reading “Galvanist – The Silence Between Stars (Review)”

Pig’s Blood – Destroying the Spirit (Review)

Pig's Blood - Destroying the SpiritThis is the third album from US death metallers Pig’s Blood.

2019’s A Flock Slaughtered was an enjoyable record, but it’s been an age since then. Now, with the 33-minute Destroying the Spirit, are Pig’s Blood able to still cut it in today’s death metal killing fields? Continue reading “Pig’s Blood – Destroying the Spirit (Review)”

Phasma – Purgatory (Review)

vThis is the third album from international, (Greece/US), blackened death metallers Phasma.

Phasma play an interesting and intense mix of black and death metal, cut with elements of doom and deathcore. Purgatory contains 26 minutes of dark violence, and it’s Continue reading “Phasma – Purgatory (Review)”

Fossilization – Advent of Wounds (Review)

Fossilization - Advent of WoundsFossilization are a Brazilian death metal band and this is their second album.

Following on from 2023’s monstrous Leprous Daylight, Fossilization have once more emerged from their ancient slumber with the 36-minute Advent of Wounds. Strap yourself into the slime-covered pain machine, as it’s about to get nasty. Continue reading “Fossilization – Advent of Wounds (Review)”

1914 – Viribus Unitis (Review)

1914 - Viribus Unitis1914 are a Ukrainian blackened death/doom band and this is their fourth album.

It’s great to have a new album from this well-regarded band, (check out some of their past work here, here, and here). Containing 57 minutes of new material, Veribus Unitis is 1914’s most absorbing work yet. Continue reading “1914 – Viribus Unitis (Review)”

Qrixkuor – The Womb of the World (Review)

Qrixkuor - The Womb of the WorldThis is the second album from Qrixkuor, a death metal band from the UK.

Following on from 2021’s monstrous Poisoning Palinopsia comes The Womb of the World. Qrixkuor’s new record contains four songs, totalling a full duration of 50 minutes. It’s punishing, but also terrifyingly beautiful. Continue reading “Qrixkuor – The Womb of the World (Review)”

Kostnatění – Přílišnost (Excess) (Review)

Kostnatění - Přílišnost (Excess)This is the second album from US solo extreme metal band Kostnatění.

2023’s Úpal was a notable record, standing out from the crowd with its atypical approach to black metal. Now comes Přílišnost, and it’s a refined beast of uncommon extremity we find ourselves faced with. Continue reading “Kostnatění – Přílišnost (Excess) (Review)”

Werewolves – The Ugliest of All (Review)

Werewolves - The Ugliest of AllThis is the sixth album from Australian death metallers Werewolves.

Another year, another Werewolves album. Whether it’s 2022’s From the Cave to the Grave, 2023’s My Enemies Look and Sound Like Me, or 2024’s Die for Us, you basically know what you’re getting yourself into, and in my humble opinion it’s always gonna be good. If ferocious, unforgiving death metal, with a blackened bite and a technical edge is your thing, (along with some thrashy and grindy goodness), then The Ugliest of All is definitely for you. Continue reading “Werewolves – The Ugliest of All (Review)”