Labyrinthus Stellarum are a black metal band from Ukraine and this is their third album.
Rift in Reality contains 37 minutes of engaging black metal with a sci-fi theme. Labyrinthus Stellarum play black metal that’s enhanced with electronic elements and extraterrestrial keyboards. Overall it’s a mix of melodic, atmospheric, and industrial black metal, although There are actually a few other styles mixed into the DNA of this too, including a bit of symphonic deathcore, to name just one. Continue reading “Labyrinthus Stellarum – Rift in Reality (Review)”
This is the second album from US death metal band Veriteras.
Veriteras play melodic black/death metal inspired by the old-school Scandinavian scene of the 90s. The Dark Horizon is a 31-minute homage to this era, and boy does it get a lot right. Continue reading “Veriteras – The Dark Horizon (Review)”
Wonderbox Metal gets sent a lot of new music, (which is great), but there’s no way that everything can get covered unfortunately, (which is not so great). This column hopes to redress this balance, if only slightly, by taking a look at a handful of releases that a record label has recently sent out that might have otherwise slipped through the cracks.
This is the second album from Danish melodic death metallers Sylvatica.
The core of Ashes and Snow‘s 43 minutes is that of melodic death metal. This is then augmented by folk and symphonic metal influences. If you think you’d enjoy a band that mixes together aspects of groups such as Continue reading “Sylvatica – Ashes and Snow (Review)”
This is the debut album from US black/death metal band Foretoken.
So, you fancy a good-sized chunk of Scandinavian death metal? That’s no problem, take your pick. What’s that? You also want a decent black metal influence to be felt? That’s easily done. Now you want a take on the style that’s highly melodic too? Sure, Continue reading “Foretoken – Ruin (Review)”
Children of Bodom are a melodic death metal band from Finland and this is their tenth album.
My relationship with Children of Bodom up to this point can be summarised like so –
Hatebreeder (1999) – Wow, yeah! Such a damn good album. I really like this band.
Hate Crew Death Roll (2003) – The band just continue to get better!
Are You Dead Yet? (2005) – Oh no. What happened here? It’s okay I suppose, but not really my thing.
Halo of Blood (2013) – Not too bad, but not too good either.
And now we have Hexed. Yes, there are other albums too, in addition to the ones mentioned above, but you get the general idea.
Hexed contains 45 minutes of rocking melodeath, which consists of ten new tracks and, curiously, a reworking of an older song, (Knuckleduster). My verdict? It seems Children of Bodom have returned to the quality levels of the late 90s/early 00s. Yes, you read that right.
Prominent, expressive keyboards work wonders with the material. Songs that are catchy and memorable tear out from the music like bladed predators scything through the airwaves. Old school rock and metal elements are captured in the band’s electrifying songs, especially in the melodies used. Aggressive, energetic, and melodic, Hexed is full of good tunes and confident attitude.
I’m impressed. I’m very pleased to say that the band sound revitalised, despite how much of a cliché that probably comes across as. The album art suggested something along these lines when I first saw it, but the music firmly backs it up.
Hexed is Children of Bodom’s best album in years. I feel like I’ve rediscovered an old friend.
Labyrinthus Stellarum are a black metal band from Ukraine and this is their third album.
Wonderbox Metal 