This is the fourth album from Greek heavy metal band Black Soul Horde.
Black Soul Horde play a mix of classic heavy metal and power metal, combined with a touch of epic doom metal. As such, Symphony of Chaos is great fun. It’s a 44-minute explosion of addictive metallic joy. If you’re partial to the style, how could you not enjoy this? Continue reading “Black Soul Horde – Symphony of Chaos (Review)”
This is the third album from US doom metal band Crypt Sermon.
If you haven’t encountered Crypt Sermon before, the promo blurb recommends them for fans of Candlemass, Khemmis, Visigoth, Eternal Champion, King Diamond, and Solitude Aeternus, which should give you a decent idea of what to expect on Stygian Rose. Across 45 minutes Crypt Sermon deliver the goods in epic style. Continue reading “Crypt Sermon – The Stygian Rose (Review)”
This is the eighth album from Australian one-man black metal act Midnight Odyssey.
Here it is, the one we’ve all been waiting for – the third and final part of the Biolume trilogy. Emerging from the long, deep shadows of 2015’s Shards of Silver Fade, 2019’s Biolume Part 1 – In Tartarean Chains, and 2021’s Biolume Part 2 – The Golden Orb, how can Biolume Part 3: A Fullmoon Madness possibly compare? After all, all three of the aforementioned releases either made it into my end of year list in the top five, (here), or the coveted top spot, (here and here). How does this one one fare? Continue reading “Midnight Odyssey – Biolume Part 3 – A Fullmoon Madness (Review)”
This is the second album from Godthrymm, a doom metal band from the UK.
2020’s Reflections was a high quality slab of old-school doom, so it’s with great pleasure that I welcome Distortions into my life. Across 60 minutes Godthrymm once again demonstrate why they’re head and shoulders above most contemporary doom metal acts. Continue reading “Godthrymm – Distortions (Review)”
Nattehimmel are an international, (Norway/UK), black metal band and this is their debut album.
Featuring current and ex-members of Emancer, Ewigkeit, Green Carnation, In the Woods…, Old Forest, and The Meads of Asphodel, Mourningstar is a 45-minute journey into 90s black metal that’s nostalgic, yet still relevant, and has a few detours too. Continue reading “Nattehimmel – Mourningstar (Review)”
This is the second album from US heavy metal band Gatekeeper.
Gatekeeper play epic heavy metal, and they do this with passion and skill. From Western Shores contains 49 minutes of classic-feeling material from a band that clearly know what they’re doing with this old-school style. Continue reading “Gatekeeper – From Western Shores (Review)”
This is the third album from Russian doom metal band Mare Infinitum.
Cryosleep contains 47 minutes of epic symphonic doom metal, although these simple words don’t really do the music here sufficient justice. Mare Infinitum’s style takes a base of death/doom and then builds on this with lavish orchestration and operatic depth. Continue reading “Mare Infinitum – Cryosleep (Review)”
This is the debut album from Atramentus, a doom metal band from Canada.
Stygian is a monster of dark funeral doom. Three tracks sprawl out over 45 minutes, promising nothing but glacial moods and barren hopelessness, and delivering. There are two colossal songs that bookend a shorter ambient piece. Continue reading “Atramentus – Stygian (Review)”
This is the fourth album from Swiss doom metal band Wolf Counsel.
The promo blurb states that this album is for fans of Cathedral, Candlemass, Trouble, and Solitude Aeturnus, and that’s a fair assessment. Continue reading “Wolf Counsel – Destination Void (Review)”
Funeral Circle play Epic Doom Metal. This album is all about the songs, the feeling of Doom, and the weighty guitars.
At 51 minutes it is a decent length and every track is really enjoyable. Harking back to an older time of more traditional song structures and Doom inspired themes and feeling, yet with a powerful production and sound that makes it sound contemporary, without ever sounding too polished or stale. Funeral Circle have a sound which is alive and warm, wrapping their arms around you like a comfy blanket. Only it’s a comfy Doom Metal blanket, of course.
The songs are well-crafted and perfectly judged, never outstaying their welcome or straying into pedestrian areas. The musicianship is first-rate and does justice to the songwriting, bringing each track alive. With vocals that are powerful and inspiring, the singer perfectly fits the music with a great range and depth to his voice.
This is traditional-style Doom Metal played with conviction and power. Along with bands like Pallbearer and 40 Watt Sun this is exactly what this genre should sound like in 2013. Strong harmonies, excellent vocals and everything focused on the song. A win.
Wonderbox Metal 