Opeth – Page 2 – Wonderbox Metal

Anciients – Beyond the Reach of the Sun (Review)

This is the third album from Canadian progressive metal band Anciients.

I haven’t heard Anciients since their 2013 album Heart of Oak, and it’s been a long eight years since their last release, (2016’s Voice of the Void, which I completely missed out on), so I’ve some cathing up to do. I really like their debut though, so was looking forward to the 59 minuets of Beyond the Reach of the Sun. The band have a new lineup, but they still don’t let me down. Continue reading “Anciients – Beyond the Reach of the Sun (Review)”

In Vain – Solemn (Review)

This is the fifth album from Norwegian progressive metal band In Vain.

I really, really liked 2018’s Currents, so to my mind it has been far too long since we’ve heard from In Vain. Featuring 61 minutes of new music, Solemn is a grand affair, mixing together the band’s progressive/melodic death metal ingredients into a feast of tasty extreme metal. Continue reading “In Vain – Solemn (Review)”

Rannoch – Conflagrations (Review)

Rannoch are a progressive death metal band from the UK and this is their third album.

Conflagrations offers a 52-minute journey into multifaceted music that falls somewhere between progressive death metal foundations and more ambitious extreme progressive metal proclivities. Bolstered by the percussive skills of the drummer of Ne Obliviscaris, Rannoch are a skilled band that have a clear vision for their brand of extreme music. Continue reading “Rannoch – Conflagrations (Review)”

The Anchoret – It All Began with Loneliness (Review)

The Anchoret are a Canadian progressive metal band and this is their debut album.

The Anchoret play a multifaceted brand of progressive metal that takes in aspects of progressive rock and a touch of extreme metal. This has resulted in an album that has plenty of impactful content to instantly appeal, but can also draw the listener back in over time. For a very rough starting point, think a combination of parts of bands such as Karnivool, Between the Buried and Me, Sermon, David Bowie, Dream Theater, Opeth, Queen, The Ocean, Dawnwalker, Ihsahn, and Rush. Continue reading “The Anchoret – It All Began with Loneliness (Review)”

AVKRVST – The Approbation (Review)

AVKRVST are a Norwegian progressive rock/metal band and this is their debut album.

The Approbation is a 49-minute exploration of progressive rock and metal, played professionally and delivered with a contemporary sheen. Continue reading “AVKRVST – The Approbation (Review)”

Legacy of Brutality – Travellers to Nowhere (Review)

This is the fourth album from Spanish death metallers Legacy of Brutality.

Legacy of Brutality play death metal that is backed up by melodic might. Theirs is a recipe that takes many well-used ingredients, but deploys them in ways that end up very tasty and satisfying indeed. Continue reading “Legacy of Brutality – Travellers to Nowhere (Review)”

Sermon – Of Golden Verse (Review)

This is the second album from UK progressive metal band Sermon.

Of Golden Verse is a 49-minute tour de force of engaging progressive metal. Sermon’s new album immediately grabs your attention with its vibrant, feeling-focused personality, and holds it throughout the running time by the sheer quality and richness of its material. Continue reading “Sermon – Of Golden Verse (Review)”

Dystopia A.D. – Doomsday Psalm (Review)

Dystopia A.D. are a death metal band from the US and this is their second album.

Dystopia A.D. play a progressive/melodic form of death metal that’s ripe with creative flourishes and potent melodies. The band combine meaty brutality, sharp aggressive speed, and choice riffs, with piercing melodies, rich atmosphere, and progressive Continue reading “Dystopia A.D. – Doomsday Psalm (Review)”

Lamentations – Passion of Depression (Review)

Lamentations are a Singapore/US death metal band and this is their second album.

Featuring members of Tómarúm and Monotheist, Lamentations play progressive death metal, and Passion of Depression provides us with 57 minutes of exotic material to explore. Continue reading “Lamentations – Passion of Depression (Review)”

Disillusion – Ayam (Review)

This is the fourth album from German progressive metal band Disillusion.

Ayam offers 59 minutes of idiosyncratic progressive metal. Highly melodic, with atmospheric, symphonic, and avant-garde touches, Disillusion have created a big, epic album, in more ways than one. Continue reading “Disillusion – Ayam (Review)”