Stortregn – Finitude (Review)

Stortregn - FinitudeStortregn are a black/death metal band from Switzerland and this is their sixth album.

Well, this is an impressive beast. If you’re looking for a feast of riffs, technicality, and melody, then look no further than Finitude. It boasts 43 minutes of the stuff, and it’s a real scorcher. Continue reading “Stortregn – Finitude (Review)”

Omnivortex – Circulate (Review)

Omnivortex - CirculateOmnivortex are a Finnish death metal band and this is their second album.

Circulate is a 44-minute juggernaut of technical death metal, presented as a emotively textured work that bleeds quality and class. Omnivortex reveal themselves to be a distinct cut above the average, and Circulate is extremely enjoyable and satisfying because of this. Continue reading “Omnivortex – Circulate (Review)”

Neurectomy – Overwrought (Review)

Neurectomy - OverwroughtThis is the debut album from US death metal band Neurectomy.

Overwrought contains 32 minutes of technical death metal and Neurectomy boasts the drummer of Origin in their ranks. Strap in safely, because Neurectomy are about to take you on a ferocious ride. Continue reading “Neurectomy – Overwrought (Review)”

Aeternus – Philosopher (Review)

Aeternus - PhilosopherThis is the ninth album from Norwegian black/death metal band Aeternus.

Aeternus, (who contain current and ex-members of bands such as Gorgoroth and Gaahls Wyrd), play an expressive form of dark death metal that gains extra depth and substance from esoteric black metal components. On Philosopher, Across 39 minutes of material, Aeternus showcase their art’s efficacy in no uncertain terms. Continue reading “Aeternus – Philosopher (Review)”

The Ritual Aura – Heresiarch (Review)

The Ritual Aura - HeresiarchThis is the fourth album from The Ritual Aura, a death metal band from Australia.

I enjoyed 2015’s Laniakea and 2016’s colossal Tæther, but I never realised until recently that they also had a 2019 album, (Velothi), that I’ve never heard. Well, Heresiarch offers a great opportunity to see what The Ritual Aura are up to in 2023. With a new lineup since I last caught up with them, (including a member of Tómarúm), and 56 minutes of new material, what does Heresiarch assail us with? Continue reading “The Ritual Aura – Heresiarch (Review)”

Night Crowned – Tales (Review)

Night Crowned - TalesThis is the third album from Swedish black metal band Night Crowned.

I thoroughly enjoyed 2021’s Hädanfärd, and my appreciation for its dark charms has only increased over time. Tales gives us 43 minutes of new material, and I have been looking forward to hearing what it has to offer. Continue reading “Night Crowned – Tales (Review)”

Vastum – Inward to Gethsemane (Review)

Vastum - Inward to GethsemaneThis is the fifth album from Vastum, a death metal band from the US.

It’s a rather shocking ten years since I last heard Vastum, (2013’s Patricidal Lust), so getting reacquainted with the band’s music is long overdue. I’m glad I did, as Inward to Gethsemane is a monster. Continue reading “Vastum – Inward to Gethsemane (Review)”

Damnation Festival 2023 – BEC Arena, Manchester, 04/11/23 (Live Review)

Damnation Festiva 2023 - PosterIt’s Damnation o-clock once more! This is always such a good festival to attend. The line up is an interesting and varied one, with some bands I’m less interested in, some that are an essential experience, and some frustrating clashes. I missed some great bands today, unfortunately, but that’s always going to be the case with such a jam-packed festival. Continue reading “Damnation Festival 2023 – BEC Arena, Manchester, 04/11/23 (Live Review)”

Thronehammer – Kingslayer (Review)

Thronehammer - KingslayerThronehammer are an international doom metal band and this is their third album.

Thronehammer’s 2021 album Incantation Rites was an absolutely colossal gem of an album that almost made it to the very top of my year end list. As such, it’s with some trepidation that I approached Kingslayer, as the previous record casts a long shadow. Continue reading “Thronehammer – Kingslayer (Review)”

Xoth – Exogalactic (Review)

Xoth - ExogalacticThis is the third album from Xoth, a death metal band from the US.

Exogalactic can be thought of as a sci-fi-themed tech death album that’s spliced with black and thrash metal elements. Across 39 minutes Xoth impress with their exuberant delivery, especially as it’s backed up by some serious musical chops. Continue reading “Xoth – Exogalactic (Review)”