Today Is the Day – Never Give In (Review)

Today Is the Day - Never Give InThis 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)”

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)”

Red Fang – Arrows (Review)

Red Fang - ArrowsThis is the fourth album from Red Fang, a sludge rock band from the US.

Red Fang play scuzzy, murky sludge rock, and do so with swampy skill. Across 43 minutes the band kick out the jams with commendable ability, but also provide more depth than your average purveyor of this style does. Continue reading “Red Fang – Arrows (Review)”

Vokonis – Odyssey (Review)

Vokonis - OdysseyThis is the fourth album from Vokonis, a progressive doom metal band from Sweden.

Vokonis’ style mixes together progressive metal with stoner and doom metal, resulting in a colourful and enjoyable collection of tracks. While Mastodon is the obvious reference point, it’s also an inadequate one for Odyssey, as there’s a lot more at play here than simply Mastodon worship. I can also hear elements of bands as diverse as Sleep, Slomatics, Elder, Perihelion Ship, Rush, Khemmis, Alice in Chains, Witchkiss, Monolord, and Black Crown Initiate, to name but a few. Continue reading “Vokonis – Odyssey (Review)”

Neptunian Maximalism – Solar Drone Ceremony (Review)

Neptunian Maximalism - Solar Drone CeremonyNeptunian Maximalism are a Belgian drone/doom band and this is their latest release.

Solar Drone Ceremony was recorded live over a year ago, and consists of a single 54-minute track. The piece is performed by nine people and features a range of different instruments and sounds. Apparently it’s a Continue reading “Neptunian Maximalism – Solar Drone Ceremony (Review)”

Genghis Tron – Dream Weapon (Review)

Genghis Tron - Dream WeaponThis is the third album from US experimental rock act Genghis Tron.

Thirteen years after their last album, and with a new drummer, (Sumac/Baptists), and singer in tow, the mighty, inimitable Genghis Tron have returned to us. Dream Weapon presents us with 46 minutes of new music, and it might not be what you’re expecting. Continue reading “Genghis Tron – Dream Weapon (Review)”

Dark Buddha Rising – Mathreyata (Review)

Dark Buddha Rising - MathreyataThis is the seventh album from Dark Buddha Rising, a Finnish doom/drone band.

I enjoyed both 2015’s Inversum and 2018’s II, so was looking forward to checking out Mathreyata, which follows on from the band’s last EP quite nicely, stylistically and thematically. Mathreyata consists Continue reading “Dark Buddha Rising – Mathreyata (Review)”

TOOMS – The Orb Offers Massive Signals (Review)

TOOMS - The Orb Offers Massive SignalsTOOMS are an Irish progressive sludge metal band and this is their debut album.

Combining elements of sludge, doom, drone, stoner, and hardcore, with progressive and psychedelic touches, The Orb Offers Massive Signals contains 56 minutes of individual and well-crafted sludge nastiness. Continue reading “TOOMS – The Orb Offers Massive Signals (Review)”

Forlesen – Hierophant Violent (Review)

Forlesen - Hierophant ViolentForlesen are from the US and play doom. This is their debut album.

There are only two lengthy tracks on this album, but with a total duration of 36 minutes, that matters not. The band members in Forlesen have a lot of experience with atypical music, as they play in a variety of bands such as Lotus Thief, Kayo Dot, Botanist, Maudlin of the Well, Nero Order, Palace of Worms, and Vesper Moth. Continue reading “Forlesen – Hierophant Violent (Review)”