Cult of Occult – I Have No Name (Review)

Cult of Occult - I Have No NameCult of Occult are a French doom band and this is their fifth album.

It’s great to have towering Cult of Occult back. The last time they graced us with their malignant presence was on 2021’s Ruin, but now we have a brand new full album. I Have No Name contains 70 minutes of doomsludge horror. My, what a Continue reading “Cult of Occult – I Have No Name (Review)”

Unearthly Rites – Tortural Symphony of the Flesh (Review)

Unearthly Rites - Tortural Symphony of the FleshUnearthly Rites are a Finnish death metal band and this is their second album.

Tortural Symphony of the Flesh is the 40-minute follow up to 2024’s Ecdysis, bringing us another filth-ridden slab of death/crust/sludge/grind/doom from Unearthly Rites. Strap yourself in, and get ready for something Continue reading “Unearthly Rites – Tortural Symphony of the Flesh (Review)”

Shadowvale – Shadowvale (Review)

Shadowvale - ShadowvaleThis is the debut album from UK sludge metallers Shadowvale.

After Shadowvale’s revelatory performance at last year’s Mangata Festival, this has been a release to watch out for.  Well, it’s now here, so the question that presents itself is this – was it worth the wait? Have Shadowvale  managed to deliver the goods and live up to their promise? Continue reading “Shadowvale – Shadowvale (Review)”

Hanging Garden – Isle of Bliss (Review)

Hanging Garden - Isle of BlissThis is the ninth album from Finnish melodic death/doom band Hanging Garden.

Isle of Bliss contains 48 minutes of engaging material. Hanging Garden’s mix of death and doom metal is heavily melodic, carries a Gothic flavour, and has an occasional blackened edge. It makes for a compelling record that should appeal to fans of a Continue reading “Hanging Garden – Isle of Bliss (Review)”

Kal-El – Astral Voyager Vol. 2 (Review)

Kal-El - Astral Voyager Vol. 2This is the seventh album from Norwegian doom/stoner metal band Kal-El.

Hot on the heels of Astral Voyager Vol. 1 from last year, Kal-El have now returned with the promised second instalment of this double album. Astral Voyager Vol. 2 brings us 43 minutes of new material, so get ready to rock. Continue reading “Kal-El – Astral Voyager Vol. 2 (Review)”