Old-School Doom Metal – Page 2

Ashtar – The Return of the Frozen Souls (Review)

This is the fourth album from Swiss black metal solo act Ashtar.

I enjoyed both 2015’s Ilmasaari and 2020’s Kaikuja, so wanted to check out Ashtar’s latest. Since those albums the band have become a solo endeavour, and I missed the artist’s 2023 album Wandering Through Time somehow. A little over a year since that record though and we have The Return of the Frozen Souls, which features 45 minutes of black/doom metal, (including a Samhain cover). Continue reading “Ashtar – The Return of the Frozen Souls (Review)”

Crypt Sermon – The Stygian Rose (Review)

This 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 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)

This 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 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)

This 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)

This 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)

This 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)”

Label Roundup: Avantgarde Music – Mesarthim, Ikarie, & Olio Tähtien Takana (Reviews)

Wonderbox Metal gets sent a lot of new music, (which is great), but there’s no way that everything can get covered unfortunately, (which is not so great). This new column hopes to redress this balance, if only slightly, by taking a look at a handful of releases that a record label has recently sent out that might have otherwise slipped through the cracks.

A new release from Avantgarde Music is almost always worth exploring. Whenever I see a new record from the label on the horizon, I know to pay attention. With a strong track record for producing engaging and interesting black metal and doom albums, there’s always something good to discover… Continue reading “Label Roundup: Avantgarde Music – Mesarthim, Ikarie, & Olio Tähtien Takana (Reviews)”

Indigo Raven – Looking for Transcendence (Review)

This 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)”