Bloodletter – Leave the Light Behind (Review)

Bloodletter - Leave the Light BehindBloodletter are a thrash metal band from the US and this is their fourth album.

Leave the Light Behind contains 35 minutes of well-written melodic thrash metal. Bloodletter bring something to thrash that I haven’t heard in ages – pure, unadulterated quality craftsmanship. I normally pass on thrash metal these days, but this one wouldn’t let me go. Continue reading “Bloodletter – Leave the Light Behind (Review)”

Sarcator – Swarming Angels & Flies (Review)

Sarcator - Swarming Angels & FliesSarcator are a Swedish thrash metal band and this is their third album.

Sarcator play a black/death-influenced style of thrash metal, and Swarming Angels & Flies contains 44 minutes of material. Think of a blend of early-period old-school metal in the form of bands such as Kreator, Sarcófago, Sodom, and Morbid Angel, and then blend this with more contemporary acts like Hellripper, Devastator, and Midnight, and you’ll be on the right lines. You can throw in some other refences too at various points, but ultimately, despite the ancient style that underpins this album, it’s remarkably fun and fresh sounding. Continue reading “Sarcator – Swarming Angels & Flies (Review)”

Wormwitch/Sadistic Ritual – Split (Review)

Wormwitch Sadistic Ritual - SplitWormwitch are a black metal band from Canada and Sadistic Ritual are a thrash metal band from the US.

Barring a couple of singles in 2022, this is the first we’ve heard from Wormwitch since 2021’s Wolf Hex, (also make sure you check out 2019’s Heaven That Dwells Within if you haven’t already), so these three songs – 16 minutes of new material – are a welcome sight. Continue reading “Wormwitch/Sadistic Ritual – Split (Review)”

Midnight – Hellish Expectations (Review)

Midnight - Hellish ExpectationsThis is the sixth album from blackened speed metal solo act Midnight.

Containing 26 minutes of filthy raging mayhem, Hellish Expectations is a furious record of blackened speed/thrash metal that’s hard to dislike. It’s charismatic and nasty, which is a great combination for this sort of thing. Continue reading “Midnight – Hellish Expectations (Review)”

The Infernal Sea – Hellfenlic (Review)

The Infernal Sea - HellfenlicThe Infernal Sea are a black metal band from the UK and this is their fourth album.

Following on from 2015’s The Great Mortality and 2020’s Negotium Crucis, Hellfenlic contains 43 minutes of new material for us to eagerly get our grubby hands on. To me, The Infernal Sea are a standout band in the UK scene, and Hellfenlic simply reinforces their exalted status. Continue reading “The Infernal Sea – Hellfenlic (Review)”

Bihargam – Executioner Star (Review)

Bihargam - Executioner StarBihargam are a black metal band from the US and this is their latest EP.

Following on from 2020’s Ove TenebraeExecutioner Star contains two new songs and a Soundgarden cover, making for a total duration of a little over 16 minutes. Continue reading “Bihargam – Executioner Star (Review)”

Demoniac – Nube Negra (Review)

Demoniac - Nube NegraThis is the third album from thrash metal band Demoniac, from Chile.

Demoniac are back with more ripping thrash that’s memorably enriched with non-standard ideas and songwriting, as well as clarinet, Moog, and accordion. The band’s idiosyncratic style was very nicely demonstrated on 2021’s So It Goes, and on Nube Negra they spend 42 minutes showcasing their individual style once more. Continue reading “Demoniac – Nube Negra (Review)”

Sarcoptes – Prayers to Oblivion (Review)

Sarcoptes - Prayers to OblivionSarcoptes are a US black metal band and this is their second album.

It has been a long time since 2016’s Songs and Dances of Death, but the second Sarcoptes album is finally here. And what do we have? Something pretty damn tasty. Prayers to Oblivion is the sound of Sarcoptes taking their material to the next level in every regard; songwriting, recording, and performances, have all improved. Continue reading “Sarcoptes – Prayers to Oblivion (Review)”

Daeva – Through Sheer Will and Black Magic… (Review)

Daeva - Through Sheer Will and Black MagicThis is the debut album from US black/thrash metallers Daeva.

This is the follow up to 2017’s Pulsing Dark Absorptions, which seems like it was released way back in the depths of time, but in reality was actually only five years ago. Through Sheer Will and Black Magic… delivers 37 minutes of characterful carnage. I’m not the biggest fan of blackened thrash, but when done well as it is here, I pay attention. Continue reading “Daeva – Through Sheer Will and Black Magic… (Review)”

Witchery – Nightside (Review)

Witchery - NightsideThis is the eighth album from Swedish blackened thrash metal band Witchery.

Witchery always tend to release an enjoyable record, (such as 2016’s In His Infernal Majesty’s Service and 2017’s I Am Legion), and their latest one continues this trend. Five years since their last album, Nightside, (which features members of bands such as The Haunted, and Lik), is a 36-minute concept album. Continue reading “Witchery – Nightside (Review)”