Anomalie – Riverchild (Review)

Anomalie - RiverchildAnomalie are an Austrian post-black metal band and this is their fifth album.

Although I enjoyed 2017’s Visions, 2021’s Tranceformation took Anomalie to another level, ending up as a firm favourite of mine that year. As such, anticipation is high for the 54-minute Riverchild. Can Anomalie deliver the goods once more? Continue reading “Anomalie – Riverchild (Review)”

Black Aleph – Apsides (Review)

Black Aleph - ApsidesThis is the debut album from Australian post-rock/drone band Black Aleph.

Here we have a compelling work of post-rock and drone, one that’s enriched with doom elements and has a dark atmospheric weight that’s enthralling. Now, with that sort of description you might be expecting a monstrous record of sprawling song lengths from Black Aleph, but you’d be mistaken, as Apsides is a mere 29 minutes long. Continue reading “Black Aleph – Apsides (Review)”

Oranssi Pazuzu – Muuntautuja (Review)

Oranssi Pazuzu - MuuntautujaThis is the sixth album from Finland’s black metallers Oranssi Pazuzu.

Since discovering Oranssi Pazuzu on 2016’s Värähtelijä they have been a band that easily stood out for me. Mestarin Kynsi followed in 2020, another album that took an expansive, creative vision for blackened music and explored it with engaging results. Which brings us to Muuntautuja, the band’s shortest album at 42 minutes in duration. What scintillatingly expressive sights and sounds does it has to offer? Continue reading “Oranssi Pazuzu – Muuntautuja (Review)”

Mother of Millions – Magna Mater (Review)

Mother of Millions - Magna MaterMother of Millions are a Greek progressive metal band and this is their fourth album.

Magna Mater contains 43 minutes of progressive metal. As my first encounter with Mother of Millions this is an extremely strong one. Let’s dig into this impressive, powerful record. Continue reading “Mother of Millions – Magna Mater (Review)”

Blue Heron – Everything Fades (Review)

Blue Heron - Everything FadesBlue Heron are a heavy rock band from the US and this is their second album.

Ever since first encountering Blue Heron in 2021 on their debut release Black Blood of the Earth/A Sunken Place I’ve been partial to the band’s earthy brand of stoner rock. They capitalised on this early success in 2022 with their first album Ephemeral, and then the following year released a split with High Desert Queen which I particularly liked. All of which brings us to Everything Fades, and its 39 minutes of new material. Continue reading “Blue Heron – Everything Fades (Review)”

Agrypnie – Erg (Review)

Agrypnie - ErgAgrypnie are a black metal band from Germany and this is their seventh album.

Erg contains 54 minutes of music, and is brought to us by members of The Negative Bias and Perchta, (as well as many others). Agrypnie’s music is of a high quality level, and Erg showcases the band in a good light throughout. Continue reading “Agrypnie – Erg (Review)”

40 Watt Sun – Little Weight (Review)

40 Watt Sun - Little WeightThis is the fourth album from UK doom/post-rock band 40 Watt Sun.

Following on from 2022’s highly emotive Perfect Light comes the 45-minute Little Weight, and let me tell you it’s quite the record. It’s a journey into richly crafted emotion, one that aches with affecting depth. Continue reading “40 Watt Sun – Little Weight (Review)”