Exocrine – Maelstrom (Review)

Exocrine - MaelstromThis is the fourth album from French death metallers Exocrine.

Here we have a 42-minute blast of technical death metal. Modern in style and feel, with various progressive and melodic elements, Maelstrom makes a good impression. A very, very good impression. Repeated spins only cements this. I enjoyed 2018’s Molten Giant, but this is superior. Continue reading “Exocrine – Maelstrom (Review)”

Ulthar – Providence (Review)

Ulthar - ProvidenceUlthar are a death metal band from the US and this is their second album.

Brought to us by current and ex-members of bands such as Vale, Void Omnia, Tombs, and Vastum, (and others), there’s a wealth of experience in this band. They also have a well-regarded debut album, which I somehow overlooked. On Continue reading “Ulthar – Providence (Review)”

The Black Dahlia Murder – Verminous (Review)

The Black Dahlia Murder - VerminousThe Black Dahlia Murder are a melodic death metal band from the US and this is their ninth album.

So, one of the world’s premier death metal bands returns, following up 2017’s Nightbringers with 36 minutes of new material. Continue reading “The Black Dahlia Murder – Verminous (Review)”

Symbolik – Emergence (Review)

Symbolik - EmergenceSymbolik are a death metal band from the US and this is their debut album.

Symbolik’s brand of death metal is a modern mix of the technical and the melodic. Across 39 minutes of material the band take the listener down pathways of bright melody and sharp aggression. Continue reading “Symbolik – Emergence (Review)”

Grey Skies Fallen – Cold Dead Lands (Review)

Grey Skies Fallen - Cold Dead LandsThis is the fifth album from Grey Skies Fallen, a progressive/melodic doom band from the US.

I enjoyed The Many Sides of Truth from 2014, so this new release is well-received. Continue reading “Grey Skies Fallen – Cold Dead Lands (Review)”

Horrified – Sentinel (Review)

Horrified - SentinelThis is the latest release by UK melodic death metallers Horrified.

We last met Horrified in 2017 with Allure of the Fallen, which was the band’s crowning achievement after the pleasing progression between the old-school nastiness of Descent into Putridity and the shinier, slicker Of Despair. Continue reading “Horrified – Sentinel (Review)”

Monthly Overview – the Best of November 2019

What an unreasonably strong month for metal releases November was! Be assured, this list could have been much, much bigger. Let’s see what made the cut… Continue reading “Monthly Overview – the Best of November 2019”

Fjords – Onirica (Review)

Fjords - OniricaFjords are a progressive metal band from the UK and this is their debut album.

Onirica is an interesting and wide-ranging album, spanning, as it it does, elements of melodic doom and death metal, (think bands such as Katatonia, Opeth, and Agalloch), as well as more modern progressive and atmospheric metal. The end result is a curious mix of old and new, wrapped up in a professional, polished package that allows the band to be displayed in their best light. Continue reading “Fjords – Onirica (Review)”

Iapetus – The Body Cosmic (Review)

Iapetus - The Body CosmicThis is the second album from Iapetus, a progressive death metal band from the US.

2017’s The Long Road Home impressed with its colossal take on atmospheric, progressive, melodic death metal. Now, in 2019, the band have returned with an even more professional delivery and production, one which features the percussive skill of the drummer of Ne Obliviscaris too. As for the music? Well, it’s simply breathtakingly good. Continue reading “Iapetus – The Body Cosmic (Review)”