Ice Howl – Cadence of the Cursed (Review)

Ice Howl - Cadence of the CursedThis is the second album from US one-man metal band Ice Howl.

The artist behind Ice Howl gives us 34 minutes of pure metal joy on Cadence of the Cursed. Blending together elements of stoner, doom, heavy, and power metal, these seven songs pack quite the metallic punch. Continue reading “Ice Howl – Cadence of the Cursed (Review)”

Hellhookah – The Curse (Review)

Hellhookah - The CurseThis is the second album from Lithuanian doom metallers Hellhookah.

2015’s Endless Serpents was a good start to the Hellhookah tale, and now, five years later, we have the next chapter. The Curse gives us eight new tracks and 38 minutes of material to enjoy. Continue reading “Hellhookah – The Curse (Review)”

Forgotten Tomb – Nihilistic Estrangement (Review)

Forgotten Tomb - Nihilistic EstrangementThis is the tenth album from Forgotten Tomb, an Italian black/doom/sludge metal band.

2015’s Hurt Yourself and the Ones You Love and 2017’s We Owe You Nothing are both favourites of mine, so it’s great to have some new work from Forgotten Tomb, especially something as well-wrought as Nihilistic Estrangement. Continue reading “Forgotten Tomb – Nihilistic Estrangement (Review)”

Vij (Вий) – Oblivium (Review)

Vij (Вий) - ObliviumThis is the second album from Вий, (otherwise known as Vij), an Italian doom/sludge band.

Vij’s music is dark and heavy, combining harsh sludge and funeral doom. It’s a great mixture of the two styles, making for an absorbing album that’s a little different from what many other doom/sludge bands are doing. Continue reading “Vij (Вий) – Oblivium (Review)”

Satyrus – Rites (Review)

Satyrus - RitesSatyrus are an Italian doom metal band and this is their debut album.

Based on the classic sound of doom in the vein of Black Sabbath and Pentagram, and then updated with modern influences from the realms of sludge and stoner, Rites contains 45 minutes of satisfying doom metal. Continue reading “Satyrus – Rites (Review)”

Temple of Void – The World That Was (Review)

Temple of Void - The World That WasThis is the third album from US death/doom metallers Temple of Void.

My enjoyment of Temple of Void’s work over the years has only increased, (here, here, here), so it’s with great excitement and expectation that I turn to The World That Was. Continue reading “Temple of Void – The World That Was (Review)”

Solothus – Realm of Ash and Blood (Review)

Solothus - Realm of Ash & BloodThis is the third album from Solothus, a death/doom metal band from Finland.

Soaked with deathly vibes and sinister doom promise, this is macabre death/doom that deeply satisfies with its quality delivery. For a rough approximation of the band’s sound, imagine a mix of bands such as Continue reading “Solothus – Realm of Ash and Blood (Review)”

Rotting Kingdom – A Deeper Shade of Sorrow (Review)

Rotting Kingdom - A Deeper Shade of SorrowThis is the debut album from US death/doom metal band Rotting Kingdom.

Rotting Kingdom’s 2017 EP of the same name was one that I very much enjoyed, so now that a full length is on the horizon, it’s time to immerse ourselves in the band’s worthy take on the death/doom style. At only 38 minutes in duration, A Deeper Shade of Sorrow is shorter than many albums of this style, and therefore doesn’t outstay its welcome. In fact, I could easily have taken a little more material. Continue reading “Rotting Kingdom – A Deeper Shade of Sorrow (Review)”

Cardinals Folly – Defying the Righteous Way (Review)

Cardinals Folly - Defying the Righteous WayCardinals Folly are a Finnish doom metal band and this is their fifth album.

I have a definite soft spot for Cardinals Folly, and I’d recommend the likes of Our Cult Continues! and Deranged Pagan Sons to anyone who enjoys charismatic doom metal with larger-than-life vocals. Defying the Righteous Way is the band’s latest chapter, and it’s damn good one, worthy of inclusion in the Cardinals Folly saga. Continue reading “Cardinals Folly – Defying the Righteous Way (Review)”