Blissful Stream – Fighting for the Cross (Review)

Blissful Stream - Fighting for the CrossThis is the second album from one-man Swedish doom metal band Blissful Stream.

I really like Blissful Stream’s personable take on doom metal. If you’re unfamiliar with the project, make sure you also check out Ascending DemonsDevil’s Night to All SoulsDead Religious, and When the Wolves Start to Circle – all in, just over an hour of quality tuneage. Continue reading “Blissful Stream – Fighting for the Cross (Review)”

Bongripper – Empty (Review)

Bongripper - EmptyThis is the eighth album from US doom metal band Bongripper.

Hell yeah, it’s time to bring the MASSIVE DOOM AGAIN! Empty boasts 67 minutes of gargantuan music that simply crushes flat everything within a mile radius of its imposing bulk. If you only get one doom album this year, then this is going to be the one. Continue reading “Bongripper – Empty (Review)”

Arð – Untouched by Fire (Review)

Arð - Untouched by FireThis is the second album from UK doom metal solo act Arð.

I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Arð last year, so the opportunity to bask in the luxurious doom majesty of this new album was irresistible. Brought to us by a member of Winterfylleth, Untouched by Fire is a richly rewarding 43-minute experience to get lost in. Continue reading “Arð – Untouched by Fire (Review)”

Full of Hell – Coagulated Bliss (Review)

Full of Hell - Coagulated BlissThis is the sixth album from US grindcore band Full of Hell.

New Full of Hell is always a bit exciting, and this time they have returned with their most colourful album cover yet. What does this mean for the music contained within? Before we get to that, I’ll just link to my previous reviews of 2017’s Trumpeting Ecstasy, 2019’s Weeping Choir, and 2021’s Garden of Burning Apparitions, as all are damn fine albums worthy of your attention. Continue reading “Full of Hell – Coagulated Bliss (Review)”

Big | Brave – A Chaos of Flowers (Review)

Big Brave - A Chaos of FlowersBig | Brave are a doom/drone band from Canada and this is their seventh album.

New Big | Brave, so soon after last year’s Nature Morte? I’ll take it! If you’re unfamiliar with this remarkable band, check out that record immediately, (and 2017’s Ardor), and then dive into the 40 minutes of material we get on A Chaos of Flowers. Continue reading “Big | Brave – A Chaos of Flowers (Review)”

My Dying Bride – A Mortal Binding (Review)

My Dying Bride - A Mortal BindingThis is the fifteenth album from UK doom metal band My Dying Bride.

A Mortal Binding contains 55 minutes of new music from this legendary act. My Dying Bride have returned with a doom-drenched descent into the abyssal depths of loss and despair. It’s rich in moody darkness, and resplendent with emotive colour. Balancing atmospheric immersion with aggressive melancholy, the songs are captivating examples of a band’s vision expertly rendered. Continue reading “My Dying Bride – A Mortal Binding (Review)”

Uttertomb – Nebulas of Self-Desecration (Review)

Uttertomb - Nebulas of Self-DesecrationUttertomb are a death metal band from Chile and this is their debut album.

Nebulas of Self-Desecration contains 43 minutes of morbid death metal darkness. Manifesting as ancient death metal with a serving of doom horror, if you think of a mix of bands such as Autopsy, Incantation, and Immolation, you’ll have a decent starting point for Uttertomb’s output. Continue reading “Uttertomb – Nebulas of Self-Desecration (Review)”

Dool – The Shape of Fluidity (Review)

Dool - The Shape of FluidityThis is the third album from Dutch dark rock band Dool.

The Shape of Fluidity contains 50 minutes of dark rock music with both a metallic and a Gothic edge, as well as containing elements of doom, post-rock and post-punk. Dool’s music flows together seamlessly, making for an individualistic blend that is extremely enjoyable and moreish. Continue reading “Dool – The Shape of Fluidity (Review)”

Bell Witch/Knoll – Rebellion, Manchester – 14/04/24 (Live Review)

Bell Witch Knoll - Rebellion, ManchesterNow here’s an interesting show. A bill of extremes, from the deathgrind mayhem of Knoll to the funeral doom crawl of Bell Witch. How could I miss such a compelling reason to journey to one of my favourite venues in Manchester once more? Continue reading “Bell Witch/Knoll – Rebellion, Manchester – 14/04/24 (Live Review)”