Bell Witch and Aerial Ruin are both artists from the US, and they have teamed up once more to bring us a new outing of mournful doom.
2020’s Stygian Bough Volume I was one of my favourites from that year, so I was very excited by the appearance of Stygian Bough Volume II. Bell Witch and Aerial Ruin have impressed in the past, but can they do so again? Continue reading “Bell Witch and Aerial Ruin – Stygian Bough Volume II (Review)”
Another year, another Damnation Festival. Has it really been 20 years? I went to the very first one waaaaay back in 2005, and a love affair was born. It has been great to watch it become one of the world’s best festivals. Kudos to the organisers for their continued passion and ability.
This edition is therefore the festival’s twentieth year and sees Damnation bigger and arguably better than ever before. It’s across two days now, and the lineup is strong in both depth and breadth. From veteran classics to newborn sensations, the festival has it all. Continue reading “Damnation Festival 2025 – BEC Arena, Manchester – 08/11/25-09/11/25 (Live Review)”
Beastwars are a sludge/stoner metal band from New Zealand and this is their fifth album.
Following on from 2019’s IV, (via a covers album in 2023 called Tyranny of Distance), comes the 40-minute The Ship // The Sea. I was excited to listen to this, as Beastwars always deliver, and it hasn’t disappointed. Continue reading “Beastwars – The Ship // The Sea (Review)”
This is the second album from Qrixkuor, a death metal band from the UK.
Following on from 2021’s monstrous Poisoning Palinopsia comes The Womb of the World. Qrixkuor’s new record contains four songs, totalling a full duration of 50 minutes. It’s punishing, but also terrifyingly beautiful. Continue reading “Qrixkuor – The Womb of the World (Review)”
This is the second album from US solo extreme metal band Kostnatění.
2023’s Úpal was a notable record, standing out from the crowd with its atypical approach to black metal. Now comes Přílišnost, and it’s a refined beast of uncommon extremity we find ourselves faced with. Continue reading “Kostnatění – Přílišnost (Excess) (Review)”
This is the second album from UK mathcore band Pupil Slicer.
Following on from 2023’s well-received Blossom, Pupil Slicer have returned with the 36-minute Fleshwork. In this review I’ll make the case that this is peak Pupil Slicer so far. Fleshwork is a monster. If a mix of bands such as Converge, Deafheaven, Heriot, Rolo Tomassi, and Svalbard, sounds good, then this is one for you. Continue reading “Pupil Slicer – Fleshwork (Review)”
This is the seventh album from Yellow Eyes, a black metal band from the US.
I last caught up with Yellow Eyes on their 2019 record Rare Field Ceiling, so the unexpected unveiling of Confusion Gate is a welcome surprise. With a 61-minute duration it’s the band’s longest album by a decent margin, so let’s embark on this journey and see what awaits us. Continue reading “Yellow Eyes – Confusion Gate (Review)”
This is the eighth album by German black metal band Waldgeflüster.
I’m a big fan of Waldgeflüster, so make sure you check out their past releases here, here, here, and here, and my review of their performance at last years Fortress Festival here. Now that’s out of the way, let’s turn our full attention to Knochengesänge II. Continue reading “Waldgeflüster – Knochengesänge II (Review)”
This is the seventh (and eighth) album(s) by German black metal band Waldgeflüster.
I’m a big fan of Waldgeflüster, so make sure you check out their past releases here, here, here, and here, and my review of their performance at last years Fortress Festival here. Now that’s out of the way, let’s turn our full attention to Knochengesänge. Continue reading “Waldgeflüster – Knochengesänge (Review)”
Thron are a black metal band from Germany and this is their fifth album.
Vurias is the 47-minute, (including bonus track), follow up to 2023’s Dust. That previous record, along with 2018’s Abysmal, firmly cemented Thron as ones to pay attention to, which is why when Vurias appeared I was eager to not let if fall through the cracks. Continue reading “Thron – Vurias (Review)”
Wonderbox Metal 