Anomalie are an Austrian post-black metal band and this is their fifth album.
Although I enjoyed 2017’s Visions, 2021’s Tranceformation took Anomalie to another level, ending up as a firm favourite of mine that year. As such, anticipation is high for the 54-minute Riverchild. Can Anomalie deliver the goods once more? Continue reading “Anomalie – Riverchild (Review)”
This is the second album from US death/doom metal band Mother of Graves.
2021’s In Sombre Dreams marked Mother of Graves as ones to watch, a band playing affecting doom/death that showed great promise. The following year they delivered on this promise with the impressive Where the Shadows Adorn. Now, two years later, The Periapt of Absence appears, providing us with 45 minutes of new material to explore. Let’s dig in and see what Mother of Graves have for us this time around. Continue reading “Mother of Graves – The Periapt of Absence (Review)”
This is the second album from Austrian death/doom metal band Endonomos.
Endonomos II – Enlightenment contains 49 minutes of death/doom, although this tag is a bit misleading. Endonomos’ music is far richer and more emotive than many playing that style, and benefits from a base of traditional doom that’s unexpected. This makes Endonomos II – Enlightenment a much rarer gem than you’d normally find within the death/doom arena. Continue reading “Endonomos – Endonomos II – Enlightenment (Review)”
This is the fourth album from Swiss black metal solo act Ashtar.
I enjoyed both 2015’s Ilmasaari and 2020’s Kaikuja, so wanted to check out Ashtar’s latest. Since those albums the band have become a solo endeavour, and I missed the artist’s 2023 album Wandering Through Time somehow. A little over a year since that record though and we have The Return of the Frozen Souls, which features 45 minutes of black/doom metal, (including a Samhain cover). Continue reading “Ashtar – The Return of the Frozen Souls (Review)”
This is the fourth album from Portuguese doom band Sinistro.
I enjoyed 2018’s Sangue Cássia, and when I saw Vértice appear I assumed I’d missed out on a couple of albums between the two. Apparently not, as this is Sinistro’s first new recorded output since then. They are back now though, and have a new bassist and singer in tow as well. Continue reading “Sinistro – Vértice (Review)”
This is the seventh album from UK doom metal band Alunah.
Alunah seem to be on an upward trajectory. From 2017’s Solennial to 2019’s Violet Hour to 2022’s Strange Machine, there doesn’t seem to be any stopping the band. Strange Machine I loved in particular. This makes Fever Dream hotly anticipated over here, although bittersweet, as apparently it’s to be the last album featuring the band’s excellent singer Siân Greenaway, which is a huge shame. Continue reading “Alunah – Fever Dream (Review)”
This is the sixth album from US progressive metallers Oceans of Slumber.
After releasing two very well-received albums of progressive metal in 2018’s The Banished Heart and 2020’s self titled album, Oceans of Slumber surprised many by adopting more of a hard rock approach on 2022’s Starlight and Ash. Although ultimately I naturally prefer their heavier more metallic material, it was still an accomplished album worthy of anyone’s time. With new record Where Gods Fear to Speak now on the horizon, what do Oceans of Slumber bring us in 2024? Let’s find out. Continue reading “Oceans of Slumber – Where Gods Fear to Speak (Review)”
This is the fourth album from UK doom/post-rock band 40 Watt Sun.
Following on from 2022’s highly emotive Perfect Light comes the 45-minute Little Weight, and let me tell you it’s quite the record. It’s a journey into richly crafted emotion, one that aches with affecting depth. Continue reading “40 Watt Sun – Little Weight (Review)”
This is the second album from UK stoner/sludge metallers Barbarian Hermit.
It’s been six long years since 2018’s Solitude and Savagery, but now Barbarian Hermit have returned, and with a different vocalist. Mean Sugar contains 44 minutes of new music for us to hungrily devour. Continue reading “Barbarian Hermit – Mean Sugar (Review)”
Mourners 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)”
Wonderbox Metal 