Doubtsower is a one-man Welsh doom metal band and this is his fourth album.
If you have yet to experience the uncommon blackened doom of Doubtsower, then let me recommend you Asphyxiation of a Seasick Soul, The Endless Shadow of Despicable Power, and Nothing Reduced to Everything. All are quality slabs of experimental darkness, and all have paved the way for The Past Melts Away with a Sneer. Continue reading “Doubtsower – The Past Melts Away with a Sneer (Review)”
This is the sixteenth album from Blut Aus Nord, a French black metal band.
Following on from 2023’s Disharmonium – Nahab comes Ethereal Horizons, a 52-minute work of expansive, exquisite black metal artistry. Yep, this one’s pretty damn good. Continue reading “Blut Aus Nord – Ethereal Horizons (Review)”
This is the second album from UK post-rock band Civil Service.
Civil Service offer up 46 minutes of post-rock on Dark ///. It’s an engaging and feeling-rich form of the style that Civil Service have prepared for us, and I very much like what I’ve heard on this record. Continue reading “Civil Service – Dark /// (Review)”
Another year, another Damnation Festival. Has it really been 20 years? I went to the very first one waaaaay back in 2005, and a love affair was born. It has been great to watch it become one of the world’s best festivals. Kudos to the organisers for their continued passion and ability.
This edition is therefore the festival’s twentieth year and sees Damnation bigger and arguably better than ever before. It’s across two days now, and the lineup is strong in both depth and breadth. From veteran classics to newborn sensations, the festival has it all. Continue reading “Damnation Festival 2025 – BEC Arena, Manchester – 08/11/25-09/11/25 (Live Review)”
This is the seventh album from UK progressive metal/rock band Dawnwalker.
Dawnwalker are one of those rare bands that genuinely do attempt something different with each release. 2022’s murky, hallucinogenic House of Sand was a massive hit for me, and I loved it. 2024’s follow up The Unknowing was ultimately less to my taste, with its classic prog rock stylings, but still enjoyable nonetheless. So, with that in mind, what does The Between have to offer? Continue reading “Dawnwalker – The Between (Review)”
This is the third album from UK sludge/post-metallers Conjurer.
Each Conjurer album so far has been a notable one. From their 2018 debut Mire, to 2022’s Páthos, the band have show an ability to craft quality heavy music, while also progressing their sound between releases. Unself contains 45 minutes of new music from this talented act, I have been very keen to hear it. So, what does it bring us? Continue reading “Conjurer – Unself (Review)”
Psychonaut are a Belgian post-metal band and this is their third album.
I first encountered Psychonaut on their 2021 split with Sâver, and I really liked what I heard. So, when Violate Consensus Reality came around a year later, I was hooked. With this firmly in mind, it’s with great anticipation that the 54 minutes of new material on World Maker is received. Continue reading “Psychonaut – World Maker (Review)”
This is the twelfth album from US metal band Today Is the Day.
Following on from 2014’s Animal Mother and 2020’s No Good to Anyone, comes the 47-minute Never Give In. Today Is the Day are fascinating, unique, and unpredictable, which makes every release something special. I’ve been looking forward to digging into this one, whatever it might hold. Continue reading “Today Is the Day – Never Give In (Review)”
Agriculture are a post-black metal band from the US and this is their second album.
The Spiritual Sound is the 44-minute follow up to 2023’s well-received Agriculture. Combing a range of diverse ingredients into an engaging post-black metal sound, Agriculture’s new record is a step up for the band. Continue reading “Agriculture – The Spiritual Sound (Review)”
Heretoir are a post-black metal band from Germany and this is their fourth album.
Following on from 2023’s Nightsphere comes Solastalgia, which brings us 63 minutes of new music from Heretoir, (which includes an In Flames cover). I confess, I wasn’t expecting this to be as good or as impactful as it is. Continue reading “Heretoir – Solastalgia (Review)”
Wonderbox Metal 