Gothic Metal – Wonderbox Metal

Lamp of Murmuur – The Dreaming Prince in Ecstasy (Review)

This is the fourth album from US solo black metal band Lamp of Murmuur.

The Dreaming Prince in Ecstasy is the follow up to 2023’s well-received Saturnian Bloodstorm. The latter was a record that only improved over time, and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing songs from it, (and other releases), performed live when I saw Lamp of Murmuur at 2024’s Fortress Festival. All of this is to say, I’ve been looking forward to this new record. Continue reading “Lamp of Murmuur – The Dreaming Prince in Ecstasy (Review)”

Æl-Fierlen – All Is Far Away (Review)

This is the debut album from UK blackgaze band Æl-Fierlen.

Æl-Fierlen play an evocative form of blackened Gothic metal, (for lack of a better term), that incorporates atmospheric black metal, doom, blackgaze, and folk into a compelling musical framework. Containing 34 minutes of music, All Is Far Away is an underground gem of an album. Continue reading “Æl-Fierlen – All Is Far Away (Review)”

Paradise Lost – Ascension (Review)

This is the seventeenth album from UK metal band Paradise Lost.

I’ve been listening to Paradise Lost since 1992, so any new Paradise Lost release is A Big Deal. Ascension is the 51-minute, (61 minutes with the bonus tracks), follow up to 2020’s Obsidian, and promises Big Things by virtue of simply being a new Paradise Lost album. Continue reading “Paradise Lost – Ascension (Review)”

In the Woods… – Otra (Review)

In the Woods… are a Norwegian progressive metal band and this is their seventh album.

I thoroughly enjoyed 2022’s Diversum, so was pleased when Otra appeared on the horizon. Across 47 minutes In the Woods… deliver a richly engaging album, full of textured and high quality songcraft. Continue reading “In the Woods… – Otra (Review)”

Decrepisy – Deific Mourning (Review)

This is the second album from Decrepisy, a death metal band from the US.

Brought to us by current/ex-members of bands such as Acephalix, Ascended Dead, Coffin Rot, Necrot, Ritual Necromancy, Vastum, and Voidceremony, Deific Mourning is the 45-minute follow up to 2021’s enjoyable Emetic Communion. Let’s see what this new record is all about then, shall we? Continue reading “Decrepisy – Deific Mourning (Review)”

Aversed – Erasure of Color (Review)

This is the second album from US extreme metal band Aversed.

2021’s Impermanent was an enjoyable album that mixed a few different metal styles together to deliver a satisfying result. Four years and a change of singer later, and Aversed are back with the 40-minute Erasure of Color. Continue reading “Aversed – Erasure of Color (Review)”

Primrose Path – Ruminations (Review)

This is the debut album from Australian progressive metal band Primrose Path.

The promo blurb says this is for fans of Opeth, Tesseract, Mastodon, and Gojira, which should give you a starting point for approaching the 43-minute Ruminations. Now here’s an underground gem that likely won’t stay underground for long. Continue reading “Primrose Path – Ruminations (Review)”

Dawn of Solace – Affliction Vortex (Review)

This is the fourth album from Finnish melodic metal band Dawn of Solace.

I enjoyed 2022’s Flames of Perdition a great deal, so it’s great to now have Affliction Vortex appear amidst the darkness. Dawn of Solace’s return brings us 39 minutes of new material, and they have not disappointed. Continue reading “Dawn of Solace – Affliction Vortex (Review)”

Oceans of Slumber – Where Gods Fear to Speak (Review)

This is the sixth album from US progressive metallers Oceans of Slumber.

After releasing two very well-received albums of progressive metal in 2018’s The Banished Heart and 2020’s self titled album, Oceans of Slumber surprised many by adopting more of a hard rock approach on 2022’s Starlight and Ash. Although ultimately I naturally prefer their heavier more metallic material, it was still an accomplished album worthy of anyone’s time. With new record Where Gods Fear to Speak now on the horizon, what do Oceans of Slumber bring us in 2024? Let’s find out. Continue reading “Oceans of Slumber – Where Gods Fear to Speak (Review)”

Vuur & Zijde – Boezem (Review)

Vuur & Zijde are a blackened post metal band from the Netherlands and this is their debut album.

Brought to us by current and ex-members of bands such as Freja, Laster, Silver Knife, Terzij de Horde, Witte Wieven, and more, Boezem contains 46 minutes of idiosyncratic and enjoyable music. Continue reading “Vuur & Zijde – Boezem (Review)”