Revocation – New Gods, New Masters (Review)

Revocation - New Gods, New MastersThis is the ninth album from US death metal band Revocation.

Revocation are a band I always enjoy. From 2016’s Great Is Our Sin onwards, (which includes 2018’s The Outer Ones and 2022’s Netherheaven), I’ve devoured each new release hungrily. On their new outing New Gods, New Masters, Revocation return triumphant, with 46 minutes of new material. Continue reading “Revocation – New Gods, New Masters (Review)”

Ethereal Wound – Defile | Demise (Review)

Ethereal Wound - Defile DemiseThis is the debut album from Portuguese death metal band Ethereal Wound.

Defile | Demise contains 38 minutes of death metal that’s blackened, dissonant, and atmospheric. Ethereal Wound, (along with a session drummer, from Ashen Horde, Evilyn, Norse, Somnium Nox, Virulent Depravity, and many more), have produced a striking record that offers a rewarding, satisfying experience. Continue reading “Ethereal Wound – Defile | Demise (Review)”

Portal/Impetuous Ritual/Abduction – Rebellion, Manchester – 18/09/25 (Live Review)

Portal Impetuous Ritual Abduction - Rebellion, Manchester - 18.09.25

When a rare chance to see Portal and Impetuous Ritual appears, you take it. The show being opened by the mighty Abduction is then simply the icing on the top. Continue reading “Portal/Impetuous Ritual/Abduction – Rebellion, Manchester – 18/09/25 (Live Review)”

Nexion – Sundrung (Review)

Nexion - SundrungThis is the second album from Icelandic black metal band Nexion.

Sundrung contains 49 minutes of material for the refined listener to explore. Nexion play arcane black metal, with elements of death metal skilfully incorporated to add extra force and brutality. There’s more than just that here though. Get ready for something special. Continue reading “Nexion – Sundrung (Review)”

Kamra – Unending Confluence (Review)

Kamra - Unending ConfluenceKamra are a black metal band from Slovenia and this is their second album.

Kamra have a member of Assumption in their ranks, and Unending Confluence contains 41 minutes of music. This is black metal influenced by the old-school, but dragged by lethal dissonance into the modern era. Continue reading “Kamra – Unending Confluence (Review)”

Tithe – Communion in Anguish (Review)

Tithe - Communion in AnguishTithe are a death metal band from the US and this is their third album.

Tithe’s previous record – 2023’s Inverse Rapture – was a hybrid extreme metal album that was difficult to pin down genre-wise, although that didn’t stop it from being a satisfying and enjoyable listen. Communion in Anguish focuses Tithe’s sound, pushing up the lethal aggression and dark atmosphere to new heights. Continue reading “Tithe – Communion in Anguish (Review)”

Ritual Mass – Cascading Misery (Review)

Ritual Mass - Cascading MiseryThis is the debut album from US death metallers Ritual Mass.

Cascading Misery brings us a filth-ridden 41 minutes of hideous death metal darkness, replete with a crushing dose of doom. Ritual Mass dominate through a terrifying blend of ferocity and dread-inducing atmosphere. Continue reading “Ritual Mass – Cascading Misery (Review)”

Esoctrilihum – Ghostigmatah – Spiritual Rites of the Psychopomp Abxulöm (Review)

Esoctrilihum - Ghostigmatah - Spiritual Rites of the Psychopomp AbxulömThis is the twelfth album from French one-man black metal band Esoctrilihum.

It’s always a pleasure to get a new Esoctrilihum release. If you’re familiar with the artist’s past work, (such as 2018’s Pandaemorthium (Forbidden Formulas to Awaken the Blind Sovereigns of Nothingness), 2021’s Dy’th Requiem for the Serpent Telepath, 2022’s Consecration of the Spiritüs Flesh, 2023’s Astraal Constellations of the Majickal Zodiac, or 2024’s Döth-Dernyàlh), you’ll know that you never quite know quite what to expect from this prolific and idiosyncratic artist. What does the 87-minute Ghostigmatah – Spiritual Rites of the Psychopomp Abxulöm have in store for us? Continue reading “Esoctrilihum – Ghostigmatah – Spiritual Rites of the Psychopomp Abxulöm (Review)”

Tine – A Winter Horrorscape (Review)

Tine - A Winter HorrorscapeThis is the third album from US solo symphonic black/death metal act Tine.

Tine made a very positive impression on me with 2015’s The Forest Dreams of Black, and followed this up well with 2022’s Mergae Maris Profundi. As such, it’s with expectation that we turn to the 42 minutes of new material that A Winter Horrorscape provides us with. Continue reading “Tine – A Winter Horrorscape (Review)”

Cult Burial – Collapse of Pattern, Reverence of Dust (Review)

Cult Burial - Collapse of Pattern, Reverence of DustThis is the third album from Cult Burial, a blackened death metal band from the UK.

Following on from 2020’s Cult Burial and 2023’s Reverie of the Malignant comes Collapse of Pattern, Reverence of Dust, which brings us a new 42 minutes of Cult Burial’s blackened malevolence. Continue reading “Cult Burial – Collapse of Pattern, Reverence of Dust (Review)”