Crawl – Altar of Disgust (Review)

Crawl - Altar of DisgustCrawl are a death metal band from Sweden and this is their second album.

I thoroughly enjoyed 2018’s Rituals, so was pleased when Crawl’s split with Feral appeared last year. They’re now back again with Altar of Disgust, which delivers 31 minutes of crust-driven Swedeath heaviness. Continue reading “Crawl – Altar of Disgust (Review)”

Brume – Marten (Review)

Brume - MartenBrume are a doom band from the US and this is their third album.

I’ve been awaiting this with great excitement, but also great apprehension. Why? Because even though 2017’s Rooster was a damn good record, (appearing on my year end list), 2019’s Rabbits was so fantastic it rightfully topped it. The apprehension comes from worrying whether they can match it or not. Can lightning strike twice? Continue reading “Brume – Marten (Review)”

Blissful Stream – Fighting for the Cross (Review)

Blissful Stream - Fighting for the CrossThis is the second album from one-man Swedish doom metal band Blissful Stream.

I really like Blissful Stream’s personable take on doom metal. If you’re unfamiliar with the project, make sure you also check out Ascending DemonsDevil’s Night to All SoulsDead Religious, and When the Wolves Start to Circle – all in, just over an hour of quality tuneage. Continue reading “Blissful Stream – Fighting for the Cross (Review)”

Cryfemal – La Gran Victoria del Mal (Review)

Cryfemal - La Gran Victoria Del MalCryfemal are a Spanish black metal band and this is their ninth album.

We’re going back to 2023 for this one. Why? Well, simply because while I’ve been aware of Cryfemal for some time, I’ve never heard them, so when I recently received the promo for this, I really wanted to check it out. So I did, and it made a big impression. Continue reading “Cryfemal – La Gran Victoria del Mal (Review)”

Infestus – Entzweiung (Review)

Infestus - EntzweiungThis is the sixth album from German solo black metal band Infestus.

Has it really been ten years since 2014’s The Reflecting Void? I really liked that record. With only one album since then – 2018’s Thrypsis, which I somehow missed – I’ve been looking forward to exploring the 46-minute Entzweiung. Continue reading “Infestus – Entzweiung (Review)”

Lust Hag – Lust Hag (Review)

Lust Hag - Lust HagThis is the debut album from US one-woman black metal band Lust Hag.

It’s here! It’s finally happening! A full Lust Hag album! Rejoice! This artist was one of my favourite new finds of 2023, so I have been massively looking forward to the day a full album would appear. And now it has – 37 minutes of elite black metal to get to grips with. Let’s be clear from the start – Lust Hag is so damn good it hurts. Continue reading “Lust Hag – Lust Hag (Review)”

Morgul Blade – Heavy Metal Wraiths (Review)

Morgul Blade - Heavy Metal WraithsThis is the second album from US blackened heavy metal band Morgul Blade.

Now there’s an album cover for you. When combined with the title, it that speaks loudly of what you’ll encounter on Heavy Metal Wraiths. Across 36 minutes Morgul Blade deliver a rip-roaring trip through ten boisterous tracks that are designed to get those heads banging and fists pumping. Continue reading “Morgul Blade – Heavy Metal Wraiths (Review)”

Exhumation – Master’s Personae (Review)

Exhumation - Master's PersonaeThis is the fourth album from Exhumation, an Indonesian death metal band.

Wow, it’s been a long time since I encountered Exhumation. Ten years ago in fact, on their debut album Hymn to Your God, which I enjoyed very much. Well, catching up with the band is long overdue, so let’s take a look at the 38 minutes of death metal on Master’s Personae and see what they’re up to. Continue reading “Exhumation – Master’s Personae (Review)”

Amiensus – Reclamation: Part 1 (Review)

Amiensus - Reclamation Part 1This is the fourth album from US black metallers Amiensus.

Amiensus are a band I’ve really enjoyed watching the development of over the years. 2012’s Restoration was an early highlight, but every release has offered something tasty from the band. Whether this is the stripped back classic approach of 2017’s All Paths Lead to Death, or the standout Abreaction, which rightfully made it onto my 2020 year end list, Amiensus always seem to have something meaningful to say. Continue reading “Amiensus – Reclamation: Part 1 (Review)”