Vircolac – Veneration (Review)

Vircolac - VenerationVircolac are an Irish death metal band and this is their second album.

Following on from 2016’s EP The Cursed Travails of the Demeter and 2019’s MasqueVeneration provides us with seven new tracks of the band’s idiosyncratic death metal. Over 37 minutes Vircolac once more demonstrate that they stand out from the death metal hordes. Continue reading “Vircolac – Veneration (Review)”

Sun of Nothing – Maze (Review)

Sun of Nothing - MazeThis is the fourth album from Greek doom/sludge metal band Sun of Nothing.

Well, it’s been a while since I’ve heard from Sun of Nothing – well over a decade in fact – so Maze appearing unheralded into my world was really unexpected, although greatly welcomed. If you’re unfamiliar with the band’s blackened sludge metal horror, then I can heartily recommend their entire discography to you. Continue reading “Sun of Nothing – Maze (Review)”

Ponte del Diavolo – Fire Blades from the Tomb (Review)

Ponte del Diavolo - Fire Blades from the TombThis is the debut album from Italian blackened doom metal band Ponte del Diavolo.

Okay, so here we have something quite interesting. When the promo blurb mentions both Electric Wizard and Darkthrone, you know it’s one to take an interest in. I will say that this doesn’t fully cover what you’ll find on Fire Blades from the Tomb though, so I’ll also mention here bands such as Messa, King Woman, Vanishing Kids, and Siouxsie and the Banshees, to give a broader impression. Continue reading “Ponte del Diavolo – Fire Blades from the Tomb (Review)”

Knoll – As Spoken (Review)

Knoll - As SpokenThis is the third album from US grindcore band Knoll.

Following on from 2022’s blistering Metempiric comes As Spoken, its 41-minute follow up. On their new record Knoll have continued to push their punishing sound forward, embracing the nihilistic darkness more than ever. Continue reading “Knoll – As Spoken (Review)”

Angmodnes – Rot of the Soul (Review)

Angmodnes - Rot of the SoulThis is the debut album from Angmodnes, a funeral doom band from the Netherlands.

Rot of the Soul is a 55-minute journey into funeral doom misery and woe. The music of Angmodnes is engrossing and immersive, covering the listener in layers of rich darkness and compelling atmosphere. Continue reading “Angmodnes – Rot of the Soul (Review)”

Lotus Thief/Forlesen – Split (Review)

Lotus Thief Forlesen - SplitThis is a split between Lotus Thief and Forlesen. Both are US bands and both share members.

Lotus Thief open the split with In Perdition, a 12-minute song. I’m not familiar with the band, and I soon regret that immensely. Continue reading “Lotus Thief/Forlesen – Split (Review)”