Daeva – Through Sheer Will and Black Magic… (Review)

Daeva - Through Sheer Will and Black MagicThis is the debut album from US black/thrash metallers Daeva.

This is the follow up to 2017’s Pulsing Dark Absorptions, which seems like it was released way back in the depths of time, but in reality was actually only five years ago. Through Sheer Will and Black Magic… delivers 37 minutes of characterful carnage. I’m not the biggest fan of blackened thrash, but when done well as it is here, I pay attention. Continue reading “Daeva – Through Sheer Will and Black Magic… (Review)”

Vorbid – A Swan by the Edge of Mandala (Review)

Vorbid - A Swan by the Edge of MandalaThis is the second album from Norwegian progressive metal band Vorbid.

A Swan by the Edge of Mandala offers a rich and colourful 59 minutes of progressive metal for listeners to get lost in. It’s an absorbing and enjoyable album, full of slick riffs, emotive melodies, and engaging songcraft. Continue reading “Vorbid – A Swan by the Edge of Mandala (Review)”

Mother of Graves – Where the Shadows Adorn (Review)

Mother of Graves - Where the Shadows AdornThis is the debut album from US death/doom metal band Mother of Graves.

So, here we have it then. After the very enjoyable 2021 EP In Sombre Dreams we now get to see whether that release’s promise has paid off on a full length album. Can Mother of Graves maintain the quality levels that they have already introduced us to? Continue reading “Mother of Graves – Where the Shadows Adorn (Review)”

Label Roundup: Inferna Profundus Records – Trembling Void, Oppressive Descent, & Opus Magorum (Reviews)

Wonderbox Metal gets sent a lot of new music, (which is great), but there’s no way that everything can get covered unfortunately, (which is not so great). This column hopes to redress this balance, if only slightly, by taking a look at a handful of releases that a record label has recently sent out that might have otherwise slipped through the cracks.

Inferna Profundus Records is a black metal label from Lithuania. I’m unfamiliar with the label’s work, but as I’ve just had some of their latest promos I thought I’d indulge my love of the black metal underground and explore some of what they have to offer through their newest releases. Continue reading “Label Roundup: Inferna Profundus Records – Trembling Void, Oppressive Descent, & Opus Magorum (Reviews)”

De Profundis – The Corruption of Virtue (Review)

De Profundis - The Corruption of VirtueThis is the sixth album from De Profundis, a death metal band from the UK.

More De Profundis is always a welcome thing. 2018’s The Blinding Light of Faith was particularly impressive, but I also highly recommend 2015’s Kingdom of the Blind too. I have been looking forward to The Corruption of Virtue and it has not disappointed. Continue reading “De Profundis – The Corruption of Virtue (Review)”

Goatwhore – Angels Hung from the Arches of Heaven (Review)

Goatwhore - Angels Hung from the Arches of HeavenThis is the eighth album from US black metallers Goatwhore.

Playing an unholy mix of black, death, and thrash metal, Goatwhore are a band that I always enjoy. The band’s last couple of albums were very enjoyable slabs of venomous ugliness, (2014’s Constricting Rage of the Merciless and 2017’s Vengeful Ascension), so it’s great to have some new material from the band after so many years. Continue reading “Goatwhore – Angels Hung from the Arches of Heaven (Review)”

Standard Interrogation Techniques: Five Questions for Aviana (Interview)

Although I’d ideally love to be able to conduct hard-hitting, in-depth interviews, who has the time these days? In lieu of this, I’ve thrown together the below question template, hopefully to gather some interesting and informative results, without taking up too much of anyone’s time.

Introduce yourself – who are you and what do you do?

My name is Joel Holmqvist and I’m the vocalist for the band Aviana. Continue reading “Standard Interrogation Techniques: Five Questions for Aviana (Interview)”

Acédia – Fracture (Review)

Acédia - FractureThis is the third album from Canadian black metal band Acédia.

Acédia play a modern brand of black metal that’s taut with melodic colour and ripe with dissonant underpinnings. Across the 40 minutes of Fracture the band deliver an enjoyable journey into contemporary blackened waters. Continue reading “Acédia – Fracture (Review)”

Parius – The Signal Heard Throughout Space (Review)

Parius - The Signal Heard Throughout SpaceThis is the third album from US progressive metal band Parius.

The Signal Heard Throughout Space is a 61-minute sci-fi “conceptual rock opera”. Blending progressive metal with technical and 70s progressive influences, the album offers a Continue reading “Parius – The Signal Heard Throughout Space (Review)”