Crypt Sermon – The Stygian Rose (Review)

Crypt Sermon - The Stygian RoseThis is the third album from US doom metal band Crypt Sermon.

If you haven’t encountered Crypt Sermon before, the promo blurb recommends them for fans of Candlemass, Khemmis, Visigoth, Eternal Champion, King Diamond, and Solitude Aeternus, which should give you a decent idea of what to expect on Stygian Rose. Across 45 minutes Crypt Sermon deliver the goods in epic style. Continue reading “Crypt Sermon – The Stygian Rose (Review)”

Cardinals Folly – Live by the Sword (Review)

Cardinals Folly - Live by the SwordCardinals Folly are a Finnish doom metal band and this is their sixth album.

It’s always a treat to hear some new music by Cardinals Folly. Live by the Sword boasts 41 minutes of the band’s charismatic doom metal. Cardinals Folly have established themselves as a quality act over the years, so there’s nothing to do when a new release appears but to buckle up and prepare for the ride. Continue reading “Cardinals Folly – Live by the Sword (Review)”

Godthrymm – Distortions (Review)

Godthrymm - DistortionsThis is the second album from Godthrymm, a doom metal band from the UK.

2020’s Reflections was a high quality slab of old-school doom, so it’s with great pleasure that I welcome Distortions into my life. Across 60 minutes Godthrymm once again demonstrate why they’re head and shoulders above most contemporary doom metal acts. Continue reading “Godthrymm – Distortions (Review)”

Abolish – …From the Depths (Review)

Abolish - ...From the DepthsAbolish are a death metal band from Turkey and this is their debut album.

Featuring the vocalist of Inhuman Depravity, …From the Depths unleashes 44 minutes of old-school death metal on the listener. Continue reading “Abolish – …From the Depths (Review)”

Temple of Void – Summoning the Slayer (Review)

Temple of Void - Summoning the SlayerThis is the fourth album from US death/doom metallers Temple of Void.

I always really like to hear new Temple of Void material, as I’ve been a big fan of everything they have released so far, (Of Terror and the Supernatural, Lords of Death, and The World That Was). Continue reading “Temple of Void – Summoning the Slayer (Review)”

Friends of Hell – Friends of Hell (Review)

Friends of Hell - Friends of HellThis is the debut album by Friends of Hell, an international doom metal band.

As soon as I saw that Friends of Hell featured ex-members of Electric Wizard and Reverend Bizarre, I knew I wanted to sample its wares. I haven’t been disappointed. Continue reading “Friends of Hell – Friends of Hell (Review)”

Cardinals Folly/Purification – Possessed in the Ritual Grove – Split (Review)

Cardinals Folly Purification - Possessed in the Ritual Grove - SplitThis is a spilt between two doom metal bands – Cardinals Folly from Finland and Purification from the US.

I like Cardinals Folly very much, (see here, here, and here), so it’s always a pleasure to hear new material from them. On this split the band give us 18 minutes of new music divided into three songs. Continue reading “Cardinals Folly/Purification – Possessed in the Ritual Grove – Split (Review)”

Indigo Raven – Looking for Transcendence (Review)

Indigo Raven - Looking for TranscendenceThis is the debut album from French doom metal band Indigo Raven.

Featuring a member of Mourir, Indigo Raven deliver 43 minutes of doom on Looking for Transcendence, (including bonus track, a Mazzy Star cover). The promo blurb states that the “trio’s sound emerges from the Peaceville Three’s influence with a modern sludge approach”, and this is a suitable description of what you’ll find on this album. To this I’d also add a certain 80s pop sensibility that makes for songs that stick in the head. Continue reading “Indigo Raven – Looking for Transcendence (Review)”

Veil of Conspiracy – Echoes of Winter (Review)

Veil of Conspiracy - Echoes of WinterVeil of Conspiracy are a melodic metal band from Italy and this is their second album.

The promo blurb states that the 45 minutes of material on Echoes of Winter is for fans of Katatonia, Opeth, and The Morningside, which is a good starting point for Veil of Conspiracy’s sound. I’d also add that fans of bands such as Amorphis, Paradise Lost, Deathwhite, Moonspell, My Dying Bride, and Anathema will find much to like here. Continue reading “Veil of Conspiracy – Echoes of Winter (Review)”