Defacement – Doomed (Review)

Defacement - DoomedDefacement 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)”

Malthusian – The Summoning Bell (Review)

Malthusian - The Summoning BellThis 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)”

Rhizaria – Indulgences (Review)

Rhizaria - IndulgencesThis is the debut album from US black/death metal band Rhizaria.

Rhizaria play a progressive form of black and death metal, delivering a hybrid style that’s irregular, and very compelling. Indulgences contains 40 minutes of material that scratches a very particular itch that sits right in a hard to reach place between atmosphere and dissonance. Continue reading “Rhizaria – Indulgences (Review)”

Mangata Festival – Nottingham, 12/07/25 (Live Review)

Mangata Festival - Nottingham, 12.07.25

Mangata Festival was not at all on my radar, until I found out that Ante-Inferno, Abduction, and Devastator were playing it, (originally The Infernal Sea too). Throw in Wolvencrown, who I’ve never seen before, and it certainly peaked my interest. Continue reading “Mangata Festival – Nottingham, 12/07/25 (Live Review)”

Dephosphorus – Planetoktonos (Review)

Dephosphorus - PlanetoktonosThis is the fifth album from Greek grindcore band Dephosphorus.

Dephosphorus play an extreme metal amalgamation of hardcore, grind, death metal, and black metal. It’s vicious, inventive, and rather tasty. Over 28 minutes Planetoktonos showcases what Dephosphorus are capable of in no uncertain terms. Continue reading “Dephosphorus – Planetoktonos (Review)”

Impureza – Alcázares (Review)

Impureza - AlcázaresThis is the third album from French death metal band Impureza.

Following on from 2017’s La Caída de Tonatiuh, (which seems like it came out an age ago), Impureza have now returned with the 49-minute Alcázares. If you’re interested in death metal with flamenco elements, and enjoy bands like Behemoth, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Hate Eternal, and Nile, then this is for you. Continue reading “Impureza – Alcázares (Review)”

Outergods – Dethroned & Devoured (Review)

Outergods - Dethroned & DevouredThis is the second album from UK extreme metallers Outergods.

Outergods play a hybrid style that mixes black, death, and grind influences into a 45-minute record of brutal intensity. The band’s Bandcamp page recommends this for At The Gates, Anaal Nathrakh, Morbid Angel, Hate Eternal, and Strapping Young Lad, which should give you a good starting point for Dethroned & Devoured. Continue reading “Outergods – Dethroned & Devoured (Review)”

Byonoisegenerator – Subnormal Dives (Review)

Byonoisegenerator - Subnormal DivesThis is the third album by Russian grindcore band Byonoisegenerator.

Jazzgrind, eh? Okay, I’ll bite. Subnormal Dives brings together, as advertised, the worlds of grindcore and jazz. It’s aggressive and dense, and Byonoisegenerator make a splash with the 23-minute free form savagery that is Subnormal Dives. Continue reading “Byonoisegenerator – Subnormal Dives (Review)”

Full of Hell – Broken Sword, Rotten Shield (Review)

Full of Hell - Broken Sword, Rotten ShieldThis is the latest EP from US grindcore band Full of Hell.

A new 15 minutes of Full of Hell‘s scathingly charismatic grindcore? Hell yes! Broken Sword, Rotten Shield is a compendium of different influences, all brought together with the band’s consummate skill into seven adventurous tracks. It’s harsh, but delightful. Continue reading “Full of Hell – Broken Sword, Rotten Shield (Review)”