Temple of Dread – Beyond Acheron (Review)

Temple of Dread - Beyond AcheronThis is the fourth album from German death metal band Temple of Dread.

Following on from 2021’s Hades Unleashed, Beyond Acheron contains 46 minutes of thrash-edged old-school death metal mayhem. Beyond Acheron marauders through its running time like a thing possessed, but one that hoards secret knowledge and forbidden truths that elevate it to more than a simple beast. Continue reading “Temple of Dread – Beyond Acheron (Review)”

Kataklysm – Goliath (Review)

Kataklysm - GoliathThis is the fifteenth album from Canadian death metal band Kataklysm.

Goliath contains 41 minutes of Kataklysm’s brutal approach to melodic death metal. Goliath is a powerhouse of contemporary aggression that benefits from Kataklysm’s old-school pedigree and experience. The band sound revitalised, and the songs energetic and hostile. Continue reading “Kataklysm – Goliath (Review)”

Runespell – Shores of Nastrond (Review)

Runespell - Shores of NastrondThis is the fifth album from Australian black metal band Runespell.

I’ve enjoyed following Runespell’s progress over the years, (be sure to check out previous work Unhallowed Blood Oath, Order of Vengeance, Voice of Opprobrium, and Verses in Regicide), so listening to Shores of Nastrond was pretty mandatory. This new album contains 46 minutes of new material, and is also Runespell’s first as a full band, rather than just a solo act, (with current/ex-members of bands like Illimitable Dolor, The Slow Death, and Temple Nightside). Continue reading “Runespell – Shores of Nastrond (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)”

Werewolves – My Enemies Look and Sound Like Me (Review)

Werewolves - My Enemies Look and Sound Like MeThis is the fourth album from Australian death metal band Werewolves.

Following quickly on the heels of last year’s From the Cave to the Grave, Werewolves have returned with My Enemies Look and Sound Like Me, which boasts 34 minutes of lean and muscular new material. Continue reading “Werewolves – My Enemies Look and Sound Like Me (Review)”

Stormkeep/Winterfylleth/Saor/Ninkharsag/Arð/Nemorous/Cairns – Rebellion, Manchester – 05/08/23 (Live Review)

Stormkeep - Live Manchester RebellionIt’s a sold out show today at Manchester’s Rebellion, a venue I always like coming to. There’s a good atmosphere, and loads of quality bands to be had. What more could you want? Spoiler alert: today was an excellent day. Continue reading “Stormkeep/Winterfylleth/Saor/Ninkharsag/Arð/Nemorous/Cairns – Rebellion, Manchester – 05/08/23 (Live Review)”

Silverburn – Self Induced Transcendental Annihilation (Review)

Silverburn - Self Induced Transcendental AnnihilationThis is the debut album Silverburn, a one-man metal/hardcore band from Wales.

Brought to us by an ex-member of Taint and Hark, Self Induced Transcendental Annihilation contains 31 minutes of heavy music that looks back in time for its inspiration, but delivers a slab of brutality wrapped in modern intensity. Continue reading “Silverburn – Self Induced Transcendental Annihilation (Review)”

Ancient Torment/Haxen – The Howling Gale – Split (Review)

Ancient Torment Haxen - The Howling Gale - SplitAncient Torment and Haxen are both US black metal bands, and they have teamed up for this split release.

Ancient Torment, (who feature an ex-member of Abnormality), open the split, with two songs lasting 13 minutes in total. Continue reading “Ancient Torment/Haxen – The Howling Gale – Split (Review)”

The Crawling – All of This for Nothing (Review)

The Crawling - All of This for NothingThe Crawling are a death/doom band from Northern Ireland and this is their third album.

The promo blurb for this album recommends it for fans of Paradise Lost, Officium Triste, Evoken, and Sentenced, which gives a decent starting point for what sort of style The Crawling play. To this I’d also add touches of My Dying Bride and, from a Continue reading “The Crawling – All of This for Nothing (Review)”