Crawl – Rituals (Review)

CrawlThis is the debut album from Swedish death metallers Crawl.

Four things made me quite excited to hear this album, even before I really knew too much about it. The first is that it’s coming out on the always reliable Transcending Obscurity Records, (who have been especially Continue reading “Crawl – Rituals (Review)”

Carnal Decay – When Push Comes to Shove (Review)

Carnal DecayThis is the latest EP from Carnal Decay, a death metal band from Switzerland.

After hugely enjoying 2017’s You Owe You Pay, this new 10-minute EP was well-received by yours truly. It’s great to hear more of the band’s crushing modern death metal. Continue reading “Carnal Decay – When Push Comes to Shove (Review)”

The Agony Scene – Tormentor (Review)

The Agony SceneThe Agony Scene are a US metal band and this is their fourth album.

Tormentor is the first release from The Agony Scene since 2007’s Get Damned. I always liked this band’s razor-sharp take on modern metal, so it’s great to hear them make a return. Continue reading “The Agony Scene – Tormentor (Review)”

Violent Life Violent Death – Come, Heavy Breath (Review)

Violent Life Violent DeathViolent Life Violent Death are a US metal/hardcore band from the US and this is their second EP.

Mixing old and new influences from the metalcore and hardcore scenes, this is a savage and heavy collection of songs, despite being enhanced by some more accessible parts here and there. Continue reading “Violent Life Violent Death – Come, Heavy Breath (Review)”

Closet Witch – Closet Witch (Review)

Closet WitchCloset Witch are a grindcore band from the US and this is their debut album.

Now here’s a band that don’t mess around. The music on this album is savage and vicious, as well as being pretty damn relentless too. Continue reading “Closet Witch – Closet Witch (Review)”

Hostile Array – Hostile Array (Review)

Hostile ArrayHostile Array are a post-hardcore band from the US and this is their debut album.

This album contains 32 minutes of crisp, punchy music. With good songs and a mature presence, this is an album that doesn’t outstay its welcome and makes a very favourable impression. Continue reading “Hostile Array – Hostile Array (Review)”

Hivetower – Lunacy (Review)

HivetowerHivetower are a US metal band and this is their debut EP.

I like this, it has character. On the longer side for an EP, (31 minutes), Hivetower have produced the type of metal album that pilfers willingly from a few different scenes and styles, while still managing to have a personality of its own. Continue reading “Hivetower – Lunacy (Review)”

Gaerea – Unsettling Whispers (Review)

GaereaGaerea are a Portuguese black metal band and this is their debut album.

On Unsettling Whispers Gaerea have crafted 42 minutes of black metal that’s distinctly non-standard and in many ways is quite…unsettling. Continue reading “Gaerea – Unsettling Whispers (Review)”

New Waters – Experience (Review)

New WatersThis is the second album from Finnish hardcore band New Waters.

Experience is suitably titled, leading the listener on an…ahem…experience, lasting 36 minutes. As you travel through the band’s internally-forged landscapes, you get to…ahem…experience their charismatic and aggressive form of hardcore. It’s definitely an…ahem…experience. Continue reading “New Waters – Experience (Review)”