Horrendous – Ontological Mysterium (Review)

Horrendous - Ontological MysteriumThis is the fifth album from US death metallers Horrendous.

Horrendous’ trajectory through their last three albums – 2014’s Ecdysis, 2015’s Anareta, and 2018’s Idol – has been an enjoyable one to experience, but it’s been a while since we’ve heard from them. As such, it’s great to finally have Ontological Mysterium, which contains 38 minutes of new material. Continue reading “Horrendous – Ontological Mysterium (Review)”

Shadow Legion – Shadow Legion (Review)

Shadow Legion - Shadow LegionThis is the debut album from Shadow Legion, a progressive extreme metal band from the US.

Shadow Legion contains 68 minutes of music, and is brought to us by current/ex-members of bands such as Diabolic, Gigan, Hate Eternal, and Pyrrhon, among others. Continue reading “Shadow Legion – Shadow Legion (Review)”

Eleine – We Shall Remain (Review)

Eleine - We Shall RemainEleine are a Swedish symphonic metal band and this is their fourth album.

This is my first encounter with Eleine, and it’s a very favourable one. Playing a form of symphonic heavy metal with a distinctly high quality flavour and more metallic might than you might expect, We Shall Remain delivers 37 minutes of engaging music. Continue reading “Eleine – We Shall Remain (Review)”

Tailgunner – Guns for Hire (Review)

Tailgunner - Guns for HireTailgunner are a heavy metal band from the UK and this is their debut album.

Boasting the endlessly enjoyable singing voice of the vocalist from the mighty InductionGuns for Hire offers a 48-minute feast of classic heavy metal tunes for fans of the style to eagerly devour. Continue reading “Tailgunner – Guns for Hire (Review)”

Dead Quiet – IV (Review)

Dead Quiet - IVThis is the fourth album from Canadian progressive metal/rock band Dead Quiet.

Dead Quiet have an expressive and individual sound that sits somewhere between metal and rock. Combining stoner, heavy, and progressive influences into well-written songs with no small amount of charisma and personality, IV is 45 minutes very well-spent. Continue reading “Dead Quiet – IV (Review)”

Caustic Echoes – The Passing of Moonlight (Review)

Caustic Echoes - The Passing of MoonlightThis is the debut album from US metal band Caustic Echoes.

The Passing of Moonlight contains 50 minutes of well-written melodic metal. The style is one that combines elements of old and new, from 90s nu-metal and heavy metal, and 00s European metal and metalcore, to more contemporary influences. Continue reading “Caustic Echoes – The Passing of Moonlight (Review)”

Onheil – In Black Ashes (Review)

Onheil - In Black AshesOnheil are a black/death metal band from the Netherlands and this is their third album.

Now, here’s an album I’ve very much been looking forward to. I thoroughly enjoyed 2014’s Storm Is Coming, even more so over time, and was immensely happy to see that a follow up is finally here. Back now with some lineup changes, and playing an infectious form of melodic black/death metal, with an influence from thrash and heavy metal, In Black Ashes finds Onheil revitalised, and ready to conquer. Continue reading “Onheil – In Black Ashes (Review)”

High Priest – Invocation (Review)

High Priest - InvocationHigh Priest are a US doom metal band and this is their debut album.

Invocation combines classic doom metal with elements of heavy metal, hard rock, stoner, and grunge. Across 45 minutes High Priest impress with their charismatic and vibrant take on a well-worn style. Continue reading “High Priest – Invocation (Review)”

Forged in Black – Lightning in the Ashes (Review)

Forged in Black - Lightning in the AshesForged in Black are a UK heavy metal band and this is their third album.

I thoroughly enjoyed 2019’s Descent of the Serpent, so it’s good to have some new material from Forged in Black. Across 42 minutes the band once again unleash a torrent of quality heavy metal on the world in the shape of Lightning in the Ashes. Continue reading “Forged in Black – Lightning in the Ashes (Review)”

Scar Symmetry – The Singularity Phase II – Xenotaph (Review)

Scar Symmetry - The Singularity Phase II - XenotaphThis is the seventh album from Scar Symmetry, a melodic death metal band from Sweden.

The Singularity Phase II – Xenotaph is a big album that’s bold and ambitious. but has the skill and ability to back up its vision. Mixing together melodic death metal with heavy and power metal, this is a feast of metallic fun for any fan of this sort of music. Continue reading “Scar Symmetry – The Singularity Phase II – Xenotaph (Review)”