Sanctuarium – Melted and Decomposed (Review)

Sanctuarium - Melted and DecomposedThis is the second album from Spanish death metal band Sanctuarium.

Sanctuarium play rotten old death metal with a crushing dose of fetid doom. Melted and Decomposed contains 48 minutes of foul death/doom nastiness spread over five tracks. Continue reading “Sanctuarium – Melted and Decomposed (Review)”

Orme – No Serpents, No Saviours (Review)

Orme - No Serpents, No SavioursOrme are a doom/drone band from the UK and this is their latest EP.

After last year’s gargantuan self-titled debut record, I’m pleased to see Orme back in action already with No Serpents, No Saviours. Consisting of a single 24-minute track, this new release finds Orme operating in slightly different waters. On No Serpents, No Saviours Orme focus less on the drone of their debut, and more on colossal death/doom metal. Continue reading “Orme – No Serpents, No Saviours (Review)”

Mourners Lament – A Grey Farewell (Review)

Mourners Lament - A Grey FarewellMourners Lament are a doom/death metal band from Chile and this is their second album.

It’s been a long time since 2016’s We All Be Given, but finally its successor is here, (although the band did release an EP in 2022, apparently). Mourners Lament have a new lineup and an expanded, more ambitious vision for their sound. A Grey Farewell builds on We All Be Given, with Mourners Lament returning with a record that has been worth the lengthy weight. Continue reading “Mourners Lament – A Grey Farewell (Review)”

Void Witch – Horripilating Presence (Review)

Void Witch - Horripilating PresenceVoid Witch are a death metal band from the US and this is their debut album.

Void Witch play malevolent death/doom, and Horripilating Presence contains 39 minutes of the sort of material that could crush mountains flat. Continue reading “Void Witch – Horripilating Presence (Review)”

Fortress Festival 2024 – Scarborough Spa, Scarborough, 01-02/06/24 (Live Review)

Fotress Festival 2024

What an incredible lineup this is. I mean, just look at it. It’s ridiculous. I’ve never been to Fortress Festival before, (this is its second year), or Scarborough, but this was an event not to be missed. My words below won’t really do justice to what a great festival this was, but hopefully you’ll get a flavour of it at the very least.

Before we get into it – if you’ve ever read one of my live reviews previously you’ll notice that the quality of the photos used here far, far, far outstrips my usual meagre efforts. This is because I didn’t take them. I’m enormously pleased to say that they very talented Aleksandra Hogg captured and supplied all of these photos, and I urge you to check out her work at Acidolka here, here, or here. Continue reading “Fortress Festival 2024 – Scarborough Spa, Scarborough, 01-02/06/24 (Live Review)”

Tzompantli – Beating the Drums of Ancestral Force (Review)

Tzompantli - Beating the Drums of Ancestral ForceThis is the second album from US death/doom band Tzompantli.

2022’s Tlazcaltiliztli was a record that I got a lot of enjoyment out of, so it’s great to see the return of Tzompantli once more. Beating the Drums of Ancestral Force contains 42 minutes of new material, and finds the band taking giant leaps forward in more than one way. Continue reading “Tzompantli – Beating the Drums of Ancestral Force (Review)”

Funeral Leech – The Illusion of Time (Review)

Funeral Leech - The Illusion of TimeFuneral Leech are a death/doom metal band from the US and this is their second album.

I enjoyed 2020’s Death Meditation, so knew I didn’t want to miss out on hearing The Illusion of Time. I’m glad I didn’t either, as this is a damn fine album. Continue reading “Funeral Leech – The Illusion of Time (Review)”

Apparition – Disgraced Emanations from a Tranquil State (Review)

Apparition - Disgraced Emanations from a Tranquil StateApparition are a death metal band from the US and this is their second album.

Featuring an ex-member of Nails, Apparition play progressive death/doom metal. On Disgraced Emanations from a Tranquil State they deliver 38-minutes of music that hits the spot. Continue reading “Apparition – Disgraced Emanations from a Tranquil State (Review)”

Civerous – Maze Envy (Review)

Civerous - Maze EnvyThis is the second album from US death metallers Civerous.

We last met Civerous on their 2020 split with Stygian Obsession, so it’s great to be able to hear a full album from them. Brought to us by members of Aylwin and TzompantliMaze Envy contains 42 minutes of cavernous death that’s wrapped around doom and black metal elements. Continue reading “Civerous – Maze Envy (Review)”

Hamferð – Men Guðs Hond er Sterk (Review)

Hamferð - Men Gu​ð​s Hond er SterkThis is the third album from death/doom band Hamferð, who are from the Faroe Islands.

2018’s Támsins Likam is a tough album to follow. A long six years later, can Hamferð’s newest release – the 44-minute Men Guðs Hond er Sterk – match up to just how good its predecessor is? Continue reading “Hamferð – Men Guðs Hond er Sterk (Review)”