brutal death metal – Wonderbox Metal

Offal Fest – Sunday Evening – Defeated Sanity/Wormed/Indecent Excision/Iniquitous Savagery – Manchester Rebellion, 27/07/25 (Live Review)

Offal Fest is a three-day festival of ultra-brutal death metal carnage. It consists of two main days, with a pre-show. Originally I was meant to attend both the Saturday and the Sunday, but much to my chagrin life got in the way, and instead the final four bands of the Sunday are all that I can manage, (I’m particularly gutted about missing Skinless). It’s time to make the most of it though, as I can still see some cracking bands, and I’ve been looking forward to it. Continue reading “Offal Fest – Sunday Evening – Defeated Sanity/Wormed/Indecent Excision/Iniquitous Savagery – Manchester Rebellion, 27/07/25 (Live Review)”

Cordyceps – Hell Inside (Review)

This is the second album from US death metallers Cordyceps.

I enjoyed 2020’s Betrayal, so another dose of brutal death metal heaviness from Cordyceps is well-received. This time it comes in the form of Hell Inside; 44 minutes of carnage, from a a band that haven’t stood still with their sound. Continue reading “Cordyceps – Hell Inside (Review)”

Putridity – Morbid Ataraxia (Review)

Putridity are an Italian death metal band this is their fourth album.

Sometimes all you feel like is absolute brutality. Enter Putridity. Morbid Ataraxia is a feast of uncompromising savagery, and it really hits the spot when you’re in a certain mood. Continue reading “Putridity – Morbid Ataraxia (Review)”

Cryptopsy – An Insatiable Violence (Review)

This is the ninth album from Canadian death metallers Cryptopsy.

A new Cryptopsy release is always an event to be celebrated. Less than two years after 2023’s very enjoyable As Gomorrah Burns, the band are now back with the 34-minute powerhouse that is An Insatiable Violence. Continue reading “Cryptopsy – An Insatiable Violence (Review)”

Unmerciful – Devouring Darkness (Review)

Unmerciful are a US death metal band and this is their fourth album.

It’s not too often a new Unmerciful album rolls around, but when it does, (2016’s Ravenous Impulse, 2020’s Wrath Encompassed), it’s always a tasty treat of death metal. Devouring Darkness is a 38-minute monster – ten tracks of unrelenting brutality, (which includes an Origin cover). Continue reading “Unmerciful – Devouring Darkness (Review)”

Ominous Ruin – Requiem (Review)

This is the second album from US death metallers Ominous Ruin.

Following on from 2021’s enjoyable Amidst Voices That Echo in Stone, Ominous Ruin have returned, now with a new vocalist. Requiem brings us 40 minutes of technical/brutal death metal, and it’s pretty damn good. Continue reading “Ominous Ruin – Requiem (Review)”

Necrambulant – Upheaval of Malignant Necrambulance (Review)

This is the second album from US death metal band Necrambulant.

Well, it’s been twelve years since Infernal Infectious Necro-Ambulatory Pandemic saw the light of day, so I thought I’d better check out Upheaval of Malignant Necrambulance to see what Necrambulant have been up to since then. Apparently they split up in 2014, only to reform in 2022 with a new lineup, (including vocals now from the bands ex-drummer). So there we are then. Continue reading “Necrambulant – Upheaval of Malignant Necrambulance (Review)”

Celestial Scourge – Observers of the Inevitable (Review)

Celestial Scourge are a Norwegian death metal band and this is their debut album.

Featuring members of Blood Red Throne and Deception, Celestial Scourge are here to destroy. Observers of the Inevitable contains 30 minutes of brutal technical death metal, and it’s a raging mass of controlled savagery. Continue reading “Celestial Scourge – Observers of the Inevitable (Review)”

Relics of Humanity – Absolute Dismal Domain (Review)

This is the third album from Belarus death metallers Relics of Humanity.

It’s been a while since 2019’s Obscuration came out; a devastating EP that left me hungry for more. Alas, there was no more to be had, at least not until now. So, after six years, and with a change in singer, can the 2025 version of Relics of Humanity still hold their own in the death metal killing arenas? Continue reading “Relics of Humanity – Absolute Dismal Domain (Review)”

Wonderbox Metal End of Year List – Best Metal of 2024

Yes, it’s list season once more, so gather round and witness some of the best metal that 2024 had to offer!

2024 was a fantastic year for metal, and that’s an understatement. I thought 2023 was one of the weaker years for metal releases, overall. As such, putting last year’s list together, although challenging as it always is, was relatively effortless compared to this one. I don’t think I’ve agonised over placings more any other year. In the end, similar to last year, I just decided that enough was enough and I needed to just stop needlessly obsessing. Continue reading “Wonderbox Metal End of Year List – Best Metal of 2024”