Psychedelic – Wonderbox Metal

Vokonis – Odyssey (Review)

This 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 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)

This 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)

This 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 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 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)”

Oranssi Pazuzu – Mestarin Kynsi (Review)

This is the fifth album from Finland’s black metallers Oranssi Pazuzu.

This is the follow up to 2016’s well-received Värähtelijä, which is a record that has only increased in my estimation over time. Now, across 50 minutes of multifaceted and highly textured music, Mestarin Kynsi is an album that I have little doubt in my mind will keep on giving for years to come as well. Continue reading “Oranssi Pazuzu – Mestarin Kynsi (Review)”

Pyramido – Fem (Review)

This is the fifth album from Swedish sludge metallers Pyramido.

I’ve enjoyed watching Pyramido develop across 2013’s Saga and 2016’s Vatten, so it’s good to have 34 minutes of new material to enjoy on Fem.

Continue reading “Pyramido – Fem (Review)”

Nibiru – Salbrox (Review)

This is the fifth album from Italian doom band Nibiru.

This is occult, ritualistic doom, drawing elements of black metal, sludge, drone, noise, and psychedelia into itself and crushing it down into a super dense material that’s used to fashion the imposing tracks on Salbrox. Continue reading “Nibiru – Salbrox (Review)”

Megaton Leviathan – Mage (Review)

Megaton Leviathan are a US psychedelic rock/doom band, and this is their third album.

Now here’s a band that have flowered quite impressively since their already very accomplished 2014 album Past 21: Beyond the Arctic Cell. Boasting new members, new instrumentation, and an enriched direction, Mage is indebted to the band’s past, while being unconstrained by it. Continue reading “Megaton Leviathan – Mage (Review)”