Experimental – Page 2 – Wonderbox Metal

Julie Christmas – Ridiculous and Full of Blood (Review)

This is the second solo album from the iconic Julie Christmas, who plays a vert individual brand of rock/metal.

A new solo album from one of the best artists in the business, a mere 14 years after her last one? Someone who has one of the most individual and simply fantastic singing voices ever, and has given us some classic albums from bands like Battle of Mice and Made out of Babies? An artist who even managed to elevate the pretty much untouchable Cult of Luna to unexpectedly higher levels of excellence on Mariner? New songs from her? Sign me up without hesitation. Continue reading “Julie Christmas – Ridiculous and Full of Blood (Review)”

Sumac – The Healer (Review)

This is the fifth album from Canadian post-metal/sludge band Sumac, (who boast current and ex-members of bands such as Baptists, Genghis Tron, Isis, Old Man Gloom, Russian Circles, and These Arms Are Snakes in their ranks).

It’s been a while since I caught up with Sumac – 2018’s collaboration with Keijo Haino in fact, as well as their full length from the same year, Love in Shadow. I even had the privilege of catching them live in 2019. Apparently they also had an album out in 2020 called May You Be Held, which I somehow completely missed, which is a shame. All of which brings us to the immense 76 minutes of material on The Healer. Continue reading “Sumac – The Healer (Review)”

Four Stroke Baron – Data Diamond (Review)

Four Stroke Baron are a progressive metal band from the US and this is their fourth album.

This is my first encounter with Four Stroke Baron, but it’s a very favourable one. Containing 41 minutes of material, Data Diamond is packed to the hilt with multifaceted content. Strap in, it’s going to be a wild one. Continue reading “Four Stroke Baron – Data Diamond (Review)”

Lethe – Alienation (Review)

This is the third album from Lethe, a dark rock band from Switzerland/Norway.

Well, I wasn’t expecting a new album from Lethe, I must admit. 2014’s When Dreams Become Nightmares was an amazing album, one which I’ve only enjoyed more and more over the last decade (!) since it was released. Nonetheless, we are now gifted with Alienation, which brings us 45 minutes of material. Continue reading “Lethe – Alienation (Review)”

Guiltless – Thorns (Review)

This is the debut EP from US doom band Guiltless.

What do we have here then? A new band featuring members of Intronaut, Generation of Vipers, A Storm of Light, IIVII, and Battle of Mice? How supremely enticing. Thorns contains 24 minutes of music, and showcases Guiltless’ brand of nihilistic darkness well. Continue reading “Guiltless – Thorns (Review)”

Tangled Thoughts of Leaving – Oscillating Forest (Review)

Tangled Thoughts of Leaving are an Australian post-rock/metal band, and this is their fourth album.

Despite there being many great instrumental bands out there, I’m always put off listening to a band when there’s no vocalist. I’m well aware that this is my loss, but I can’t usually help it. However, there have certainly been many exceptions over the years to this, and Tangled Thoughts of Leaving are definitely one of them. Continue reading “Tangled Thoughts of Leaving – Oscillating Forest (Review)”

Neutraliser – Capsule Bowed Space (Review)

Neutraliser are a drone project from the UK and this is their debut album.

Featuring a member of 11Paranoias and Bong, Capsule Bowed Space is a single 79-minute track of experimental drone soundscapes. Continue reading “Neutraliser – Capsule Bowed Space (Review)”

Doubtsower – The Endless Shadow of Despicable Power (Review)

Doubtsower is a one-man Welsh doom metal band and this is his second album.

Ahh, the return of Doubtsower. 2021’s Asphyxiation of a Seasick Soul was an unexpected highlight of that year, and although I was surprised to find a new album available so soon, I’m nonetheless pleased by this unlooked for treat. Once again delivering five tracks of emotive doom metal across 49 minutes, the artist behind Doubtsower continues to produce the very definition of underground gems. Continue reading “Doubtsower – The Endless Shadow of Despicable Power (Review)”

Through Mists – Mindless Automatons (Review)

This is the third album from one-man Canadian black/death metal band Through Mists.

The artist behind Through Mists appears to be very prolific, with a huge amount of material being released on Bandcamp in a short period of time. This is my first Continue reading “Through Mists – Mindless Automatons (Review)”

Locrian – New Catastrophism (Review)

Locrian are a US experimental drone band and this is their seventh album.

It has been seven long years since 2015’s Infinite Dissolution, but Locrian have finally resurfaced to bring us a tale of apocalyptic decline and environmental decay. New Catastrophism is a different record to its predecessor though. It contains 36 minutes of new material divided into four tracks, and showcases Locrian at their sparsest, yet also their most immersive and atmospheric. Continue reading “Locrian – New Catastrophism (Review)”