Rauhnåcht – Zwischenwelten (Review)

Rauhnåcht - ZwischenweltenThis is the fifth album from Austrian solo black metal band Rauhnåcht.

My last encounter with Rauhnåcht was 11 years ago (!) on Urzeitgeist, so I’m long overdue a visit to these pagan black metal lands. Across 41 minutes of material, Zwischenwelten reveals an artist that has apparently only continued to refine and improve his art over time. Continue reading “Rauhnåcht – Zwischenwelten (Review)”

Retching – Charming the Decomposed (Review)

Retching - Charming the DecomposedThis is the debut album from US death metal band Retching.

What is this rotten bag of offal that has been unceremoniously stuffed through my letterbox? Oh, there’s a note, written in something quite unwholesome that I’d rather not look too closely at. It says – Retching. Then, beneath – Charming the Decomposed. Sounds nasty. Okay, I’d better hold my gag reflex and examine this pile of filth before it gets even more disgusting and I never get the stains out. Continue reading “Retching – Charming the Decomposed (Review)”

In Mourning – The Immortal (Review)

In Mourning - The ImmortalThis is the seventh album from Swedish death metal band In Mourning.

In Mourning play melodic death metal with a progressive edge. With a duration of 47 minutes, The Immortal paints a rich canvas that captivates with its emotive depth and melodic colour. Continue reading “In Mourning – The Immortal (Review)”

Defacement – Doomed (Review)

Defacement - DoomedDefacement are an international death metal band and this is their fourth album.

I enjoyed 2021’s Defacement, but then totally managed to overlook its follow up from last year – Duality. This oversight ends now, as a year on from that release we have the 41-minute Doomed. Continue reading “Defacement – Doomed (Review)”

Signs of the Swarm – To Rid Myself of Truth (Review)

Signs of the Swarm - To Rid Myself of TruthThis is the sixth album from US deathcore band Signs of the Swarm.

From 2017’s The Disfigurement of Existence to 2019’s Vital Deprivation, to 2021’s Absolvere to 2023’s Amongst the Low & Empty, Signs of the Swarm have been reliably pumping out solid deathcore material for fans of the style to lap up. Which brings us nicely to this year’s To Rid Myself of Truth; 40 minutes of new material, and another dependably good slab of heaviness. Continue reading “Signs of the Swarm – To Rid Myself of Truth (Review)”

Ashen – Leave the Flesh Behind (Review)

Ashen - Leave the flesh BehindThis is the second album from Australian death metallers Ashen.

Following on from 2023’s Ritual of Ash comes the 39-minute Leave the Flesh Behind. The Ashen death metal juggernaut continues to roll, crushing all in its path. This time though, there are more layers to Ashen’s assault. Continue reading “Ashen – Leave the Flesh Behind (Review)”

Turian – Blood Quantum Blues (Review)

Turian - Blood Quantum BluesThis is the fourth album from US metallic hardcore band Turian.

Blood Quantum Blues contains 38 minutes of music that mixes together punk, metal, and hardcore, with electronics and progressive elements thrown in for extra flavour and texture. Turian have produced an album that rages and snarls, but does so with skill and ability. Continue reading “Turian – Blood Quantum Blues (Review)”