Doom – Page 4 – Wonderbox Metal

Zatokrev – …Bring Mirrors to the Surface (Review)

Zatokrev are a doom/sludge/post-metal band from Switzerland and this is their fifth album.

I was very, very excited to see this one appear. Rather shockingly, it’s been a whole decade since 2015’s Silk Spiders Underwater…, so it’s great to finally have the 65-minute …Bring Mirrors to the Surface. Zatokrev are one of the greatest doom/sludge/post-metal bands in existence, yet are criminally unknown. They’ve now signed to the fantastic Pelagic Records, wo hopefully this will allow them to get the exposure they deserve. Continue reading “Zatokrev – …Bring Mirrors to the Surface (Review)”

Imperishable – Revelation in Purity (Review)

Imperishable are a death metal band from the US and this is their debut album.

Brought to us by current/ex-members of Aurora Borealis, Enthean, Hate Eternal, Malevolent Creation, Nile, and Olkoth, Imperishable have a wealth of experience available to them. What do they do with it? They unleash the 32-minute Revelation in Purity, and you’d better get out of its way, lest you be left a bloody smear on the floor. Continue reading “Imperishable – Revelation in Purity (Review)”

Phosphorus – Frail Grasp of Broken Hands (Review)

Phosphorus are a German post-black metal band and this is their debut album.

I came across this randomly as a recommendation on a forum, and I’m glad I checked it out. Phosphorus play a hybrid style, bringing us 37 minutes of compelling material on Frail Grasp of Broken Hands. Continue reading “Phosphorus – Frail Grasp of Broken Hands (Review)”

Defacement – Doomed (Review)

Defacement are an international death metal band and this is their fourth album.

I enjoyed 2021’s Defacement, but then totally managed to overlook its follow up from last year – Duality. This oversight ends now, as a year on from that release we have the 41-minute Doomed. Continue reading “Defacement – Doomed (Review)”

Pelican/Ni – Yes (Pink Room), Manchester – 13/08/25 (Live Review)

Both Pelican and Ni are in the UK for ArcTanGent, (I’ll get there one day), so it’s a great opportunity to catch them doing their thing. I don’t know Ni at all, but I’ve been waiting to get the chance to see Pelican for over two decades (!), so am very excited.

Yes isn’t a venue I’ve been to before, but I like it. Melvins are also playing Manchester tonight, which is a bit of bad luck for both bands really, as I’m pretty sure there are more than a few shared fans between them. Regardless, those in attendance tonight are in the right place as it turns out. Continue reading “Pelican/Ni – Yes (Pink Room), Manchester – 13/08/25 (Live Review)”

Malthusian – The Summoning Bell (Review)

This is the second album by Irish blackened death metallers Malthusian.

2018’s Across Deaths was a nightmarish, venomous first record from Malthusian, ably showcasing their hideous blackened death metal style. In 2022 we were gifted with Time’s Withering Shadow, their split with Suffering Hour, which was another impressive outing, for both bands concerned. Which brings us to the 54-minute The Summoning Bell. Have Malthusian continued their ascent from the bowels of the underworld? Continue reading “Malthusian – The Summoning Bell (Review)”

Kayo Dot – Every Rock, Every Half-Truth under Reason (Review)

This is the eleventh album from US experimental band Kayo Dot.

The tag experimental is frequently not a very useful one, but then Kayo Dot aren’t a band that invite easy categorisation. Every Rock, Every Half-Truth under Reason contains 66 minutes of music, and a range of styles and influences have gone into its creation. Continue reading “Kayo Dot – Every Rock, Every Half-Truth under Reason (Review)”

Vakker – What Will Become of Our Pain (Review)

This is the debut album from US black metal band Vakker.

I only encountered What Will Become of Our Pain due to a random social media recommendation, and I’m very glad I did. Vakker play atmospheric black metal, only with the sort of horrific, monstrous vocals that you wouldn’t normally associate with the style. Continue reading “Vakker – What Will Become of Our Pain (Review)”

Grayceon – Then the Darkness (Review)

Grayceon are a progressive metal band from the US and this is their sixth album.

With a striking album cover and containing a member of the fantastic Brume, (also ex-Ludicra), how could I let this one pass me by? Containing a colossal 82 minutes of music, Grayceon are not without ambition, but thankfully have the skill and talent to pull off an endeavour such as Then the Darkness. Continue reading “Grayceon – Then the Darkness (Review)”

Hemelbestormer – The Radiant Veil (Review)

Hemelbestormer are a post-metal band from Belgium and this is their fourth album.

I rate Hemelbestormer highly, and you should too. 2016’s Aether, 2018’s A Ring of Blue Light, and 2021’s Collide & Merge are all massive slabs of instrumental post-metal/doom, and I heartily recommend them. The Radiant Veil is cut from the same cloth, providing the refined listener with 66 minutes of expressive and atmospheric music to explore. Continue reading “Hemelbestormer – The Radiant Veil (Review)”