A Thousand Sufferings and Kludde are both from Belgium. The former play doom, and the latter black metal.
A Thousand Sufferings start this split off with two songs totalling 13 minutes. I’ve enjoyed all of the band’s work so far, (Burden, Bleakness, Stilte), which made me eager to hear what Het Pact had in store. Continue reading “A Thousand Sufferings/Kludde – Het Pact – Split (Review)”
This is the third album from Italian doom metallers Epitaph.
I enjoyed 2014’s Crawling out of the Crypt a great deal, and 2017’s Claws wasn’t too shabby either. It’s been a long time since their last album though, and Epitaph also have a new singer now too. So, what do the 41 minutes of new music on Path to Oblivion have to offer us then? Continue reading “Epitaph – Path to Oblivion (Review)”
Yes, it’s list season once more, so gather round and witness some of the best metal that 2024 had to offer!
2024 was a fantastic year for metal, and that’s an understatement. I thought 2023 was one of the weaker years for metal releases, overall. As such, putting last year’s list together, although challenging as it always is, was relatively effortless compared to this one. I don’t think I’ve agonised over placings more any other year. In the end, similar to last year, I just decided that enough was enough and I needed to just stop needlessly obsessing. Continue reading “Wonderbox Metal End of Year List – Best Metal of 2024”
This is the debut album from US post-metal band Pillar of Light.
Caldera contains 56 minutes of hulking heaviness and shaded darkness. Pillar of Light blend doom, sludge, and post-metal elements into a churning pot and use these choice ingredients to produce something weighty and thick, yet surprisingly tasty. Continue reading “Pillar of Light – Caldera (Review)”
This is the sixth album from US doom metal band The Gates of Slumber.
Reforming after many years dormant, and now with a couple of members of the superb Apostle of Solitude in tow, The Gates of Slumber are back. Containing 36 minutes of new material, The Gates of Slumber is a powerhouse of traditional doom metal. Continue reading “The Gates of Slumber – The Gates of Slumber (Review)”
Sergeant Thunderhoof are a stoner rock band from the UK and this is their fifth album.
2022’s This Sceptred Isle made a big impression on me, even breaching my end of year list, so The Ghost of Badon Hill is one I’ve been looking forward to. With much expectation riding on it, I’m immensely pleased to report that it has not disappointed at all. Continue reading “Sergeant Thunderhoof – The Ghost of Badon Hill (Review)”
This is the second album from UK post-metal band Codespeaker.
Featuring current/ex-members of Dvne and Frontierer, Codespeaker have arrived ready to flatten with all of the considerable weight they can bring to bear. Taking influence from the post-metal giants of Neurosis, Cult of Luna, and Isis, Codespeaker have crafted a 51-minute journey into darkness. I’ll also mention bands such as Bossk, Briqueville, and Hundred Year Old Man as appropriate reference points too. Continue reading “Codespeaker – Scavenger (Review)”
Another year, another Damnation Festival. As always, the organisers are to be commended for putting on one of the UK’s premier metal festivals. I’ve been coming here most years for almost two decades now, and I’ve never yet had a bad day.
There are three stages. Two smaller stages that clash with each other, and a main stage that clashes with nothing. Continue reading “Damnation Festival 2024 – BEC Arena, Manchester – 02/11/24 (Live Review)”
This is the second album from Greek experimental/post-metal band Spineless.
Dysphonia is a record that blends a few different influences together. Post-metal, doom, post-rock, electronica, and industrial influences are all used in service of the music’s goals; the crafting of experimental soundscapes that paint striking pictures for the listener to explore. Continue reading “Spineless – Dysphonia (Review)”
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)”
Wonderbox Metal 