Obscura – Diluvium (Review)

ObscuraObscura are a progressive/technical death metal band from Germany and this is their fifth album.

As I’ve said frequently in the past, I like an album that feels like a journey, and this is definitely one such album. With a depth of songwriting and skill that many bands aspire to and few achieve, Diluvium is a masterclass in what a progressive/technical death metal band can achieve. Continue reading “Obscura – Diluvium (Review)”

Annihilation – The Undivided Wholeness of All Things (Review)

AnnihilationAnnihilation are a Portugese progressive death metal band and this is their second album.

Starting off with their debut album of enjoyable Deicide worship Against the Storm, Annihilation returned a few years ago with a different, more complex direction on The Undivided. Continue reading “Annihilation – The Undivided Wholeness of All Things (Review)”

Fragarak – A Spectral Oblivion (Review)

FragarakFragarak are an Indian progressive death metal band and this is their second album.

We first met Fragarak on their 2013 album Crypts of Dissimulation. Well, we’ve been waiting a long time for a follow up release, and now it’s here, it’s quite the monster. Continue reading “Fragarak – A Spectral Oblivion (Review)”

Archspire – Relentless Mutation

ArchspireThis is the third album from Archspire, a technical death metal band from Canada.

If insane technicality is your thing, but you also want your songs to be recognisable as such, then you should definitely check out the latest scorcher from Archspire. Continue reading “Archspire – Relentless Mutation”

Duality – Elektron (Review)

DualityDuality are a technical death metal band from Italy and this is their debut album.

Duality mix death metal with technical complexity, jazz interludes, and progressive workouts. Think a mix of Death, Obscura, and The Faceless. Continue reading “Duality – Elektron (Review)”

Moss upon the Skull – The Scourge of Ages (Review)

Moss upon the SkullMoss upon the Skull are a death metal band from Belgium and this is their debut EP.

This is atypical progressive death metal. This is the type of band that are great to hear.

Rather than sticking to the standard genre tropes, they have decided to play death metal their own way on their own terms. Continue reading “Moss upon the Skull – The Scourge of Ages (Review)”

Replacire – Do Not Deviate (Review)

ReplacireThis is the second album by US technical death metallers Replacire.

I always enjoy a new techdeath release, especially when you never really know what you’re going to get when you press play.

In its dark heart this is a highly aggressive and Continue reading “Replacire – Do Not Deviate (Review)”

The Ritual Aura – Tæther (Review)

The Ritual AuraThis is The Ritual Aura’s second album. They are an Australian technical death metal band.

Well, hold on to your hat, because you won’t be expecting this.

The Ritual Aura’s 2015 debut album Laniakea was a favourite of mine. At only 26 minutes in length it was a supremely enjoyable blast of cutting-edge death metal. Tæther is, to say the least, a lot more ambitious, lasting over 70 minutes in length. In many ways this seems like a different band altogether. Continue reading “The Ritual Aura – Tæther (Review)”

Azooma – The Act of Eye (Review)

AzoomaAzooma are a death metal band from Iran. This is their debut album.

This is progressive death metal that sees the band upping their game from their already quite impressive debut release A Hymn of a Vicious Monster. The Act of Eye continues and refines their style, mixing Opeth and Death with elements of more modern bands such as Obscura, Gorod and Gorguts. Continue reading “Azooma – The Act of Eye (Review)”