Hailing from the Netherlands, this is the third album from black metallers Israthoum.
Israthoum’s 2012 album Black Poison and Shared Wounds was a notable release, birthed from the underground with bile and venom. 2015’s Antru Kald cemented their position as a band to pay close attention to, and with this in mind we have now been rewarded with a third full length from this engaging entity. Continue reading “Israthoum – Channeling Death and Devil (Review)”
Arallu are one of the best bands that you’ve probably never heard of. Every release is better than the last, with the band’s newest album Six being the best of them all in my opinion. I’m listening to it right now as I type these words, and it’s hard to express just how enjoyable and discerning it is. It’s black metal, and contains a lot of the traditional ingredients you’d expect to find in black metal, but the way it’s all cooked up and spiced with Middle Eastern themes and influences…Arallu rule, it’s that simple.
So if you’re unfamiliar with the band, have a read of the below and check out the band’s masterful new album Six.
It was a great pleasure recently to see Deny the Urge return to the fray with their long overdue new album As Darkness Falls. Effectively reinventing themselves on one hand, while capturing the sound and spirit of the 90s Floridian scene on the other, the album is more than just a mere homage, and offers 48 minutes of ripping death metal barbarity and darkness.
I had the chance to quiz guitarist/vocalist Henrik Osterloh about the background to As Darkness Falls, and the many challenges and issues that the band has endured over the years… Continue reading “Interview with Deny the Urge”
Shattered Sun are a metalcore band from the US. This is their second album.
Metalcore is a much maligned sub-genre, usually for good reason; there’s a lot of generic dross out there, sadly. However, if you’re looking for a ripping example of how to do metalcore right in 2017, your sights should immediately land on Shattered Sun. Continue reading “Shattered Sun – The Evolution of Anger (Review)”
This is the debut album from Dead Cross, a hardcore band from the US.
Featuring members and ex-members of bands such as Faith No More and Slayer, there’s immediately a certain level of expectation with this, and it certainly doesn’t disappoint. Continue reading “Dead Cross – Dead Cross (Review)”
Nan Elmoth are a US black metal band and this is their second album.
Nan Elmoth offer us a combination of US and European black metal, balancing a good mix of the traditional and modern styles. Think the blast and groove old-school Darkthrone template added to and enhanced by Continue reading “Nan Elmoth – Void Serpent (Review)”
Vanora are a Norwegian modern metal band and this is their debut album.
With Momentum it’s tempting to think that you’ve heard it all before, but actually this is a slightly different take on modern heavy music in some ways. Ostensibly no different to a thousand other Continue reading “Vanora – Momentum (Review)”
The Hirsch Effekt are a German progressive metal band and this is their fourth album.
Here we have 61 minutes of progressive metal/hardcore, the likes of which you rarely encounter among the faceless hordes of most nearly-interchangeable bands. Continue reading “The Hirsch Effekt – Eskapist (Review)”
Sons of Crom are a Swedish blackened heavy metal band and this is their second album.
Sons of Crom’s debut album Riddle of Steel was extremely impressive and enjoyable, making its way into my end of year best of list for 2014. Rich and diverse, it really was a stunner that has easily stood the test of time thus far. Continue reading “Sons of Crom – The Black Tower (Review)”
Centuries of Decay are a Canadian extreme metal band and this is their debut album.
This is extreme metal that’s both atmospheric and progressive, borrowing liberally from many extreme metal styles and sub-genres, including modern progressive metal, post-metal, death metal, and black metal. Continue reading “Centuries of Decay – Centuries of Decay (Review)”
Wonderbox Metal 