Metal – Page 462 – Wonderbox Metal

The Sound That Ends Creation – We Are the Burden (Review)

This is the debut album from The Sound That Ends Creation, a one-man grindcore project from the US.

This is grindcore with a strong technical aspect that takes inspiration from many sub-genres in addition to its own, including elements of hardcore, sludge, mathcore, death metal and black metal. This, though, doesn’t really prepare you for what happens when you listen to We Are the Burden.

With 10 songs in 21 minutes, this is Continue reading “The Sound That Ends Creation – We Are the Burden (Review)”

Crowhurst – II (Review)

Crowhurst are from the US, and are an extremely prolific band with lots of noise/experimental/etc. releases. Their self titled album from 2015 was especially of interest, as it was essentially a pure black metal album, and a very good one at that.

Fast forward a year, and they have now released II. This continues the black metal theme started by their previously mentioned album, only this time with a wider scope and with industrial/sludge aspects, as well as contributions from members Continue reading “Crowhurst – II (Review)”

Mindscar – What’s Beyond the Light (Review)

This is the second album from this US death/thrash metal band.

Mindscar’s first album Kill the King introduced us to their modern death metal, which incorporated a few different sub-styles into its recipe, making for an enjoyable album that wasn’t afraid to push the envelope a bit.

Fast forward a year, we now have their newest album to play, and it seems there have been some changes in the Mindscar camp.

The vocal style has changed; the deep growls Continue reading “Mindscar – What’s Beyond the Light (Review)”

None Shall Fall – This Is Why We Do It (Review)

None Shall Fall are a hardcore band from the Netherlands, this is their debut EP.

This is a short release – 3 tracks in under 10 minutes – acting as a showcase for the band.

This is heavy hardcore with a few pinches of metalcore here and there. The tracks stay Continue reading “None Shall Fall – This Is Why We Do It (Review)”

Vukari – Divination (Review)

This is the second album from Vukari, a post-black metal band from the US.

With such striking album art, my fervent wish was for the album to match the quality of the cover.

My wish was granted.

Vukari play a very modern take on black metal that covers both its atmospheric and post-black metal bases well.

Atmosphere is something that Vukari foster easily, amidst Continue reading “Vukari – Divination (Review)”

Karnak Seti – The Distance That Made Us Cold (Review)

Karnak Seti are from Portugal and play melodic/groove metal. This is their third album.

The Distance That Made Us Cold is an album that bursts out of the speakers with a strong and confident sound, polished to perfection but not lacking in some underground grit when the songs need it. Continue reading “Karnak Seti – The Distance That Made Us Cold (Review)”

Interview with Aktaion

The second Aktaion album has arrived. After being very impressed by their first album Throne, The Parade of Nature is even better. Following up their debut with more experience and even better tunes, Aktaion continue to be one of my favourite modern metal bands out there. Head honcho Francis Larsson gave me an update on all things Aktaion…

Tell us a bit about the background of Aktaion

Well the roots of Aktaion go back to 2010 as most of the members worked together on another project which would turn into a studio project where most of the songs on our first album Throne would take form. With the release of Throne we decided on starting Aktaion as a new name for the band and we took the project to being a “traditional” band. We released Throne and quite soon after that toured Sweden and Finland. After that we joined the Blood Mantra Balkan Tour behind Decapitated, Hate, Thy Disease and Krysthla and visited most of the Balkans!

What are your influences?

Influences range from metal to singer/songwriting to very much everything else in life. And a great guitar tone is essential to spark some most of the ideas we morph into songs. Continue reading “Interview with Aktaion”

Ashcloud – Children of the Chainsaw (Review)

This is the second album from Ashcloud, a death metal band.

If you’re a death metal band and you release an album named Children of the Chainsaw, you’d better be playing old-school Swedish death metal, or it’s just a wasted opportunity. Ashcloud do exactly that, but with a few twists to the formula. This is 45 minutes of disgustingly old-school crusty death metal that will clear the cobwebs away with huge gusts of molten fumes.

In true genre-style; as well as the sickening rhythms we get plenty of Continue reading “Ashcloud – Children of the Chainsaw (Review)”

Outright Resistance – Me Vs I (Review)

Outright Resistance are a UK metal band and this is their latest EP.

After a rather embarrassing intro track, the rest of the EP is, thankfully, better. This is Pantera/Lamb of God/Chimaira inspired metal that’s all youthful enthusiasm and energy.

The band have the right approach for this kind of music, starting with some decent riffs and Continue reading “Outright Resistance – Me Vs I (Review)”

Necroptic Engorgement – Realms of Incessant Bloodshed (Review)

Necroptic Engorgement are a death metal band from the US. This is their latest EP.

This is brutal death metal with a touch of deathgrind added for extra flavour.

Vocals are either high pitched screeches or deep, guttural growl-barks that sometimes sound unusually legible, but always sound unusually evil. Continue reading “Necroptic Engorgement – Realms of Incessant Bloodshed (Review)”