Tombs – Monarchy of Shadows (Review)

Tombs - Monarchy of ShadowsTombs are a post-black metal band from the US, and this is their latest EP.

Tombs have a strong track record, (Savage Gold, All Empires Fall, The Grand Annihilation), so ensuring I listened to this release was an easy choice. Having undergone a twisted rebirth of sorts, (three out of the four members are new), the latest Tombs EP marks a more-collaborative version of the band, and the results are impressive. Continue reading “Tombs – Monarchy of Shadows (Review)”

Schizogen – Spawn of Almighty Essence (Review)

Schizogen - Spawn of Almighty EssenceSchizogen are a death metal band from Ukraine, and this is their second album.

Schizogen specialise in precisely executed brutal death metal. Spawn of Almighty Essence contains 39 minutes of ultra-brutality, replete with thick blast beats, fierce guitars, and murderous growls. Continue reading “Schizogen – Spawn of Almighty Essence (Review)”

Suicide Silence – Become the Hunter (Review)

Suicide Silence - Become the HunterSuicide Silence are an extreme metal band from the US and this is their sixth album.

2017’s self-titled album was an enjoyable throwback to the nu-metal era, replete with all of the requisite parts you would expect from such a release. On Become the Hunter Suicide Silence leave behind the experimental nature of their fifth album and instead focus on the more familiar extreme metal ground that they are known for. Continue reading “Suicide Silence – Become the Hunter (Review)”

Plague – Portraits of Mind (Review)

Plague - Portraits of MindPlague are a Greek death metal band and this is their debut album.

Plague are an old-school death metal band that take influence from the 90s American scene, but do so in such a way that they seem to make it their own. This is ultimately a chunky slab of timeless death metal, shot through with classic influences, as well as some modern ones too. Despite an obvious debt to the mighty Death, the music has its own personality and brutal charm that can’t be denied. Continue reading “Plague – Portraits of Mind (Review)”

Krosis – A Memoir of Free Will (Review)

Krosis - A Memoir of Free WillThis is the second album from Krosis, a deathcore band from the US.

Here we have the follow up to 2018’s Solem Vatem, and it’s a damn good one. While Solem Vatem was a solid, enjoyable release, A Memoir of Free Will finds the band levelling up in pretty much every area as far as I’m concerned. Continue reading “Krosis – A Memoir of Free Will (Review)”

Atavisma/Void Rot – Split (Review)

Atavisma Void Rot - SplitAtavisma and Void Rot are both death/doom bands, the former from France and the latter from the US.

I do so enjoy a good split, and this is exactly one such release. We start off with Atavisma, who offer 3 tracks lasting 15 minutes. Continue reading “Atavisma/Void Rot – Split (Review)”

Monthly Overview – the Best of January 2020

2020 beckons, and there’s new metal to be hungrily devoured. This January seems to have been better than the last one release-wise, with a wealth of good albums to choose from. I’ve picked seven below I’ve particularly enjoyed. Let’s see what you think of these… Continue reading “Monthly Overview – the Best of January 2020”

Human Target Tour – Thy Art Is Murder/Carnifex/Fit for an Autopsy/Rivers of Nihil/I Am – Manchester Academy 2, 26/01/20 (Live Review)

Human Target Tour 2020

Tonight’s sold out show boasts a strong lineup of modern heaviness and extremity. It’s a show I’m very glad I have got to attend. So without further ado… Continue reading “Human Target Tour – Thy Art Is Murder/Carnifex/Fit for an Autopsy/Rivers of Nihil/I Am – Manchester Academy 2, 26/01/20 (Live Review)”

Coffin Curse – Ceased to Be (Review)

Coffin Curse - Ceased to BeCoffin Curse are a death metal band from Chile and this is their debut album.

Here we have 40 minutes of classic death metal. It’s a simple and effective old-school formula that Coffin Curse have, and they use it very well indeed. Continue reading “Coffin Curse – Ceased to Be (Review)”