Second to Sun – The Black (Review)

Second to SunThis is the fourth album from Russian blackened melodic death metal band Second to Sun.

Apparently this is a rerecording of the band’s 2016 release Blackbound, with added vocals, and other differences. I was totally unfamiliar with Second to Sun’s work prior to listening to The Black, so I can’t comment on how this relates to Blackbound, other than to say that it does. Continue reading “Second to Sun – The Black (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)”

Oubliette – The Passage (Review)

OublietteOubliette are a melodic black metal band from the US and this is their second album.

As well as featuring members of bands such as Enfold Darkness and Inferi, Oubliette also have a member of the always impressive Battle Path in their ranks. Oubliette are a somewhat different proposition than the expansive post-metal of the guitarist’s other band, however. Continue reading “Oubliette – The Passage (Review)”

Coiled Around Thy Spine – Shades (Review)

Coiled Around Thy SpineCoiled Around Thy Spine are an Italian/US death metal band and this is their debut album.

Here we have some scorching melodic death metal, full of blisteringly hot leads and molten solos. In many ways the guitar is the real star of this show, and across 50 minutes of bright, energetic material, it shines brightly. Continue reading “Coiled Around Thy Spine – Shades (Review)”

At the Gates – To Drink from the Night Itself (Review)

At the GatesThis is the sixth album from legendary Swedish melodic death metallers At the Gates.

On To Drink from the Night Itself At the Gates return with 45 minutes of new material for us to salivate over. It’s not entirely business as usual, however, as this latest album showcases the more savage, unfriendly side of the band more than some of their other work. Continue reading “At the Gates – To Drink from the Night Itself (Review)”

Gigantomachia – Atlas (Review)

GigantomachiaThis is the debut album from Italian metal band Gigantomachia.

Here’s a somewhat evocatively heroic release. Mixing elements of melodic, doom, death, and epic metal into a meaty metal base, Gigantomachia have produced 41 minutes of engaging metal. Continue reading “Gigantomachia – Atlas (Review)”

Defiatory – Hades Rising (Review)

DefiatoryThis is the second album from this Swedish thrash metal band.

Defiatory’s debut album Extinct was a notably enjoyable thrash attack, ably mixing together older influences into a modern take on aggressive thrash metal. Continue reading “Defiatory – Hades Rising (Review)”

Ails – The Unraveling (Review)

AilsAils are a US black metal band and this is their debut album.

Featuring two members of the mighty Ludicra, Ails have produced 41 minutes of melodic depth and blackened substance. Continue reading “Ails – The Unraveling (Review)”

Organectomy – Domain of the Wretched (Review)

OrganectomyOrganectomy are a New Zealand death metal band and this is their debut album.

Now that’s what you call an album cover. Oh yeah.

Organectomy play brutal death metal, but it’s not without nuance. Survive the Continue reading “Organectomy – Domain of the Wretched (Review)”