Groke’s Clan – Vicious Circles (Review)

Groke's ClanGroke’s Clan are a Finnish metal band and this is their debut EP.

This is an interesting and enjoyable release. Blending various different heavy genres into one rocking whole, Vicious Circles showcases a band that are comfortable in their own skin and ready to bring the riffs wherever necessary. Continue reading “Groke’s Clan – Vicious Circles (Review)”

Blut Aus Nord – Deus Salutis Meæ (Review)

Blut Aus NordBlut Aus Nord are a black metal band, (among other things), from France. This is their twelfth album.

Blut Aus Nord are a well-known band with a well-known proclivity for experimentation and producing music that’s as unexpected/unpredictable as it is rich, dark, and textured. Continue reading “Blut Aus Nord – Deus Salutis Meæ (Review)”

Ophis – The Dismal Circle (Review)

OphisOphis are a German doom band and this is their fourth album.

I fell strongly for the sheer heaviness and prolonged darkness of Abhorrence in Opulence. This was an hour’s worth of supremely heavy and miserable music, and The Dismal Circle is little different in this regard.

Continue reading “Ophis – The Dismal Circle (Review)”

Primitive Man – Caustic (Review)

Primitive ManPrimitive Man are a US doom band and this is their second album.

Ahhh Primitive Man. As you can see from my reviews of their previous work, (here, here, here, and here), this is a band I absolutely love. Their pitch-black, nihilistic, world-hating doom is so perfectly delivered that it never ceases to satisfy and crush in equal measure. Continue reading “Primitive Man – Caustic (Review)”

Celeste – Infidèle(s)

CelesteCeleste are a French blackened doom/sludge/hardcore metal band and this is their sixth album.

The artwork of Celeste albums has always been very striking and atypical, but I think they’ve outdone themselves this time. Continue reading “Celeste – Infidèle(s)”

Monarch – Never Forever (Review)

MonarchThis is the eighth album from French doom band Monarch.

There may only be five songs on this release, but don’t let that deceive you – there’s almost 68 minutes of music on Never Forever. Continue reading “Monarch – Never Forever (Review)”

Jarboe & Father Murphy – Jarboe & Father Murphy (Review)

Jarboe & Father MurphyFather Murphy are an Italian experimental/avant-garde band and Jarboe is a highly-regarded artist in her own right from the US. This EP sees these two forces combining their considerable talents into 10 minutes of new music.

First off I have to note that I love the EP cover; simple and striking. Continue reading “Jarboe & Father Murphy – Jarboe & Father Murphy (Review)”