Blues Rock – Wonderbox Metal

Besvärjelsen – Atlas (Review)

Besvärjelsen are a Swedish doom band and this is their second album.

This hefty release has a doom metal base that’s then mixed with grunge, and has heavy, stoner, blues, and psychedelic rock elements liberally sprinkled over everything. Some songs lean into certain influences more than others, which leads to a decent amount of variety across the album. The promo blurb mentions Alice in Chains and Windhand, and that’s a decent picture of Besvärjelsen’s sound, albeit an incomplete one. Continue reading “Besvärjelsen – Atlas (Review)”

Kal-El – Dark Majesty (Review)

This is the fifth album from Norwegian doom/stoner metal band Kal-El.

This album came highly recommended from a few different sources, so I thought it was high time I checked it out. I have not been disappointed. Continue reading “Kal-El – Dark Majesty (Review)”

The Age of Truth – Resolute (Review)

This is the second album by US heavy rockers The Age of Truth.

Are you after some fluid grooves and engrossing riffs? Do you want good tunes delivered with an assured attitude? Looking for a band that are able to kick out the jams, but also have enough range and depth to keep bringing you back to them? Well, The Age of Truth have you covered. Continue reading “The Age of Truth – Resolute (Review)”

Old Night – A Fracture in the Human Soul (Review)

Old Night are a Croatian doom metal band and this is their second album.

So, I absolutely adored Old Night’s debut album Pale Cold Irrelevance, and it made it into my best of 2017 list. As such, expectations were running high for the band’s second album.

I’m pleased to say that A Fracture in the Human Soul has more than satisfied me. Continue reading “Old Night – A Fracture in the Human Soul (Review)”

Graveyard – Peace (Review)

Graveyard are a hard rock band from Sweden and this is their fifth album.

Even though this is the band’s fifth album, this is my first encounter with them. Featuring a very enjoyable classic version of hard rock, this is retro-styled and blues-infected, resulting in a soulful album of tunes and rocking anthems. The band’s multifaceted and rich songwriting shines strongly, and Peace provides a very satisfying and gratifying listen. Continue reading “Graveyard – Peace (Review)”

Glorior Belli – The Apostates (Review)

This is the seventh album from Glorior Belli, a French black metal band, (essentially a one man band with hired help).

It’s always great to hear something new from this charismatic and individual band, and here we have 47 minutes of new material.

If you’re not familiar with Glorior Belli’s work, (check out Gators Rumble, Chaos Unfurls and Sundown (the Flock That Welcomes)), this is a band that Continue reading “Glorior Belli – The Apostates (Review)”

Dog Day Sunrise – When the Sky Comes Down (Review)

Dog Day Sunrise are a heavy metal band from the US and this is their latest album.

Mixing heavy metal with blues/hard rock, Dog Day Sunrise sound like they have escaped form the 90s in many ways. I mean this as a compliment, of course, as I can imagine the band would have made a relatively big splash back then with the right backing and support, etc. Continue reading “Dog Day Sunrise – When the Sky Comes Down (Review)”

Ritual King – Earthrise (Review)

Ritual King are a rock band from the UK and this is their latest EP.

This is personable blues/stoner rock, with plenty of groove and attitude. At 15 minutes in length it’s a good introduction to the band’s approachable brand of rock and roll. Continue reading “Ritual King – Earthrise (Review)”

Old Night – Pale Cold Irrelevance (Review)

Old Night are a Croatian atmospheric/progressive doom metal band and this is their debut album.

This is a very accomplished hour or so of doom metal, interleaved with elements of progressive rock, blues rock, and atmospheric metal. Continue reading “Old Night – Pale Cold Irrelevance (Review)”

Sun Q – Charms (Review)

Sun Q are from Russia and play garage/alternative rock. This is their debut album.

This is a mix of garage, alternative, blues, and psychedelic rock. With keyboards, hammond organ, extra percussion, and a saxophone, this is an entertaining and characterful release that has a 70s lo-fi art-rock feel to it. Continue reading “Sun Q – Charms (Review)”