Nox Formulae – The Hidden Paths to Black Ecstasy (Review)

Nox FormulaeNox Formulae are a Greek black metal band and this is their debut album.

This is ritualistic/occult black metal that combines a raw delivery with elements of the avant-garde and atmospheric.

The band take the second-wave black metal template and mutate it into something a bit more atypical. Synths and dark Continue reading “Nox Formulae – The Hidden Paths to Black Ecstasy (Review)”

Vahrzaw – Twin Suns & Wolves’ Tongues (Review)

VahrzawVahrzaw are an Australian black metal band and this is their second album.

This is a blisteringly aggressive strain of virulent black metal, with some elements of death metal added in for extra ferocity.

Twin Suns & Wolves’ Tongues is raw and brutal, full of blackened darkness and raging hatred. More than a simple one-trick pony though, Vahrzaw are talented enough to create more than just pure aggression with Continue reading “Vahrzaw – Twin Suns & Wolves’ Tongues (Review)”

Interview with Void Omnia

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US black metallers Void Omnia have released quite a storming debut album. It’s called Dying Light and is definitely one that you should check out. With speed, melody and atmosphere, it’s a well-rounded release that latches onto the listener with its aggressive tempo, and stays there by virtue of dark moods and layered textures. The band’s vocalist Jamison Kester touched base with us to keep us informed about what they’re up to…

Introduce us to Void Omnia!

We are 5 piece atmospheric black metal band from Oakland, CA that began in 2011 but truly did not take shape until the latter half of 2013.

What are your influences?

Our musical influences range from black, death, grind and classical. All of us are multi-instrumentalists who listen to a broad scope of music at varying degrees. Continue reading “Interview with Void Omnia”

Interview with Slomatics

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Future Echo Returns is, basically, a great album. Mixing sheer heaviness, colourful vocals, infectious melodies, atmospheric synths and a real emotional connection to the listener, I simply can’t say enough good things about this record. So I won’t bother trying – just make sure you get your claws on it and let the band sweep you away. David, the band’s guitarist, took the time to tell us all about the album, his band, and life in general…

Introduce us to Slomatics!

Hi. We’re a three piece based in Belfast, Ireland. The line up is Marty on drums/vocals/synths, Chris on guitar and I’m on guitar too. We formed in 2004, toured and put out a couple of albums and some splits. Marty joined us in 2011 and that’s really when things kicked off. Continue reading “Interview with Slomatics”

Banisher – Oniric Delusions (Review)

BanisherThis is Polish death metal band Banisher’s third album.

I like Banisher, as although they have a core of brutality, they infuse their music with a good deal of technicality and are not afraid to experiment with their sound either, introducing interesting ideas and some progressive elements.

Their last album, Scarcity, was really, really good, and on Oniric Delusions the band take what they did with Continue reading “Banisher – Oniric Delusions (Review)”

Thy Art Is Murder/The Acacia Strain/Fit for an Autopsy – The Depression Sessions – Split (Review)

Thy Art Is Murder/The Acacia Strain/Fit for an Autopsy Split CoverThis is a split release between three modern death metal/deathcore bands, featuring one original song and one cover song from each artist. Thy Art Is Murder are from Australia, and The Acacia Strain and Fit for an Autopsy are from the US.

Thy Art Is Murder contribute the song They Will Know Another and a cover of Rammstein’s Du Hast, for a total of 9 minutes of music.

They Will Know Another showcases the familiar roars of the band’s vocalist alongside mid-paced Continue reading “Thy Art Is Murder/The Acacia Strain/Fit for an Autopsy – The Depression Sessions – Split (Review)”

Interview with Cerberus Unchained – An introduction

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Have you heard of Cerberus Unchained? I’m guessing you probably haven’t. They’re a melodic death metal band from the UK. They might only have released one song so far, but it’s a corker, and more than enough reason for you to start keeping an eye on them.

The passion the band have for the music they play is evident not just in their words below, but also in their debut song, Warm Blooded Beast, which you can listen to at the bottom of this interview. Do make sure you take the time to give it a spin, as it’s melodic death metal of the highest quality – with none of the dross or overly commercialised stuff we’ve, (Sadly), come to expect from the melodic death metal sub-genre tag these days. No, Cerberus Unchained have shown that they’re potentially on to something special with this song, so it’s with much eagerness that I now await their future output.

As I frequently say – good music should always be supported – so with that in mind I caught up with the band to find out more about them, why you should be paying them attention, and why they could very much be ones to watch…

Introduce us to Cerberus Unchained!

Cerberus Unchained, readers, readers, Cerberus Unchained.

What are your influences?

We’ve got a pretty wide range of influences to be honest, but we all like it loud. Anything goes really from, Heck (sorry about the swearing), to Corrosion of Conformity, Children of Bodom to Dream Theater and then back to Iron Maiden for good measure. Sam recently professed enthusiasm for Babymetal as well so we’re keeping an eye on him just in case he does something silly.

Name five things you’ve listened to recently that you’d recommend

I think the best band I’ve discovered recently has to be Allegaeon, their work is just mindblowing; technical, smart lyrics and badass delivery. Beyond that I’d have to recommend the new Countless Skies album, the new Children of Bodom album, and absolutely anything by Ghost B.C. and Clutch. Oh, and the Dorylus ‘Rapture’ EP! – Simon Continue reading “Interview with Cerberus Unchained – An introduction”

Morrow – Covenant of Teeth (Review)

MorrowMorrow are a UK-based doom/sludge/crust band. This is their latest album.

This is one of those releases that will likely infuriate those who like music that’s easily classifiable. According to the band, they’re emo crust, and I can see why they’d say that. In my opinion, describing Morrow as a d-beat influenced crust band may be superficially correct in some ways, but there’s so much more than that going on here. They have a cello Continue reading “Morrow – Covenant of Teeth (Review)”