Mastiff – For All the Dead Dreams (Review)

Mastiff - For All the Dead DreamsThis is the latest EP from UK hardcore/sludge metallers Mastiff.

A new Mastiff release is always something to pay attention to. Since 2019’s Plague I’ve thoroughly enjoyed betting beaten around the head by their brutal heaviness. On 2021’s Leave Me the Ashes of the Earth and last year’s Deprecipice they only seemed to get heavier and nastier. Which brings us to For All the Dead Dreams, which delivers seventeen minutes of punishment for us to soak up. Continue reading “Mastiff – For All the Dead Dreams (Review)”

Dysylumn – Abstraction (Review)

Dysylumn - AbstractionThis is the fourth album form French black metallers Dysylumn.

Following on from 2020’s Cosmogonie comes the 37-minute Abstraction. Compared to its gargantuan predecessor, it’s far shorter, but lacks for nothing in dominating presence. Continue reading “Dysylumn – Abstraction (Review)”

Tribal Gaze – Inveighing Brilliance (Review)

Tribal Gaze - Inveighing BrillianceTribal Gaze are a death metal band from the US and this is their second album.

Inveighing Brilliance is the 32-minute follow up to 2022’s well-received The Nine Choirs. Tribal Gaze are back, and they have brought with them enough riffs and breakdowns to fuel mosh pits for years to come. Continue reading “Tribal Gaze – Inveighing Brilliance (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)”

An Abstract Illusion – The Sleeping City (Review)

An Abstract Illusion - The Sleeping CityThis is the third album from Swedish atmospheric death metal band An Abstract Illusion.

Now here’s a very highly anticipated album. The Sleeping City is An Abstract Illusion’s follow up to their highly acclaimed 2022 album Woe, which was so good it made it onto my year end list. Yes, expectations are high for this record, but there’s also trepidation too – how can An Abstract Illusion possibly meet the high standards they have now set for themselves? Continue reading “An Abstract Illusion – The Sleeping City (Review)”

Blood Incantation/Oranssi Pazuzu – Albert Hall, Manchester – 08/10/25 (Live Review)

Blood Incantation Oranssi Pazuzu - Albert Hall, Manchester - 08 10 25 (Live Review)

One of the hottest bands around at the moment, (for good reason), playing in a venue I haven’t been to before, supported by another great band I’ve really wanted to see? Hard to pass up. So here we are, Blood Incantation and Oranssi Pazuzu at Manchester’s Albert Hall. Win. Continue reading “Blood Incantation/Oranssi Pazuzu – Albert Hall, Manchester – 08/10/25 (Live Review)”

Sanguisugabogg – Hideous Aftermath (Review)

Sanguisugabogg - Hideous AftermathSanguisugabogg are a death metal band from the US and this is their third album.

Following on from 2023’s Homicidal Ecstasy comes the 48-minute Hideous Aftermath. Sanguisugabogg have created a limbering death metal monster. Laying bloody waste to all around it, it’s ridiculously enjoyable and well-crafted. Yep, this beats Homicidal Ecstasy to death and revels in its destruction. As much as I liked that record, this is superior in every way that counts. Continue reading “Sanguisugabogg – Hideous Aftermath (Review)”

Heads for the Dead – Never Ending Night of Terror (Review)

Heads for the Dead - Never Ending Night of TerrorThis is the fourth album from international death metal band Heads for the Dead.

I feel Heads for the Dead are an underappreciated band. It’s Swedish death metal at its core, but with a horror theme that’s incorporated well into the music, and it’s great. Serpent’s Curse, Into the Red, The Great Conjuration, and In the Absence of Faith were all high quality outings for the band, so this new record appearing is very welcome indeed. Continue reading “Heads for the Dead – Never Ending Night of Terror (Review)”

De Profundis – The Gospel of Rot (Review)

De Profundis - The Gospel of RotDe Profundis are a death metal band from the UK and this is their latest EP.

I have a lot of time for De Profundis. If you haven’t already, check out 2014’s Frequencies, 2015’s Kingdom of the Blind, 2018’s The Blinding Light of Faith, and 2022’s The Corruption of Virtue. All are well-worth your time. The band are now back with The Gospel of Rot, which brings us four tracks across 17-minutes, as well as a new bassist and singer. Continue reading “De Profundis – The Gospel of Rot (Review)”

Abraded – Ethereal Emanations from Chthonic Caries (Review)

Abraded - Ethereal Emanations from Cthonic CariesThis is the third album by US deathgrind band Abraded.

Containing an ex-member of Noxis, Abraded play festering death metal that’s been further filthened up by an injection of nasty grindcore. The 26 minutes of Ethereal Emanations from Chthonic Caries is a brutal piece of work. Continue reading “Abraded – Ethereal Emanations from Chthonic Caries (Review)”