I’ve decided to do something new for 2020 – a second End of Year list. If you’ve missed it, my standard, definitive best of 2020 list can be seen here, and is made up of albums I was lucky enough to get to review. However, this year I want to also highlight some of the many albums that I’ve enjoyed listening to, but for one reason or another never had the chance to review. So, consider this a complementary list of sorts to the main one. Continue reading “Wonderbox Metal End of Year List EXTRA! – Best Non-Reviewed Metal of 2020”
Tag: Rock
Vyrion – Nil (Review)
This is the third album from Australian progressive black metallers Vyrion.
Nil contains 48 minutes of highly compelling music. Venomous modern black metal is the order of business here, and business is booming it seems. Vyrion’s blacked assault contains elements of rock, thrash, and Continue reading “Vyrion – Nil (Review)”
Lord Almighty – Wither (Review)
This is the second album from US black metal band Lord Almighty.
Lord Almighty play a modern brand of progressive black metal that incorporates elements of blackened thrash, sludge, crust, and rock into its vibrant embrace. The press blurb invokes bands such as Darkthrone, Kvelertak, Thin Lizzy, Mastodon, Continue reading “Lord Almighty – Wither (Review)”
Among Phantoms – Memories/Catastrophes (Review)
Among Phantoms are a hardcore band from Denmark and this is their debut album.
This is a modern brand of hardcore, with elements of metalcore that can be heard, alongside a healthy rock influence. Continue reading “Among Phantoms – Memories/Catastrophes (Review)”
The Progressive Souls Collective – Sonic Birth (Review)
This is the debut album from The Progressive Souls Collective, an international progressive rock/metal supergroup of sorts.
Here we have 63 minutes of music that features current and ex-members of a range of bands, all brought together by a central figure. I picked this album to listen to initially due to the striking album art, but never thought it Continue reading “The Progressive Souls Collective – Sonic Birth (Review)”
Uniform – Shame (Review)
Uniform are an industrial rock/metal band from the US and this is their fourth album.
After enjoying 2018’s The Long Walk and the following year’s collaboration with The Body, I was eager to find out what Shame brought to the table. Continue reading “Uniform – Shame (Review)”
Aenemica – Secret Lines (Review)
This is the second album from Aenemica, a German progressive rock band.
This is the follow up to 2014’s Empty Inside,
These songs feature a mix of progressive, melodic, and alternative rock, nicely-written and neatly-presented. Aenemica understand the style that they play, meaning that these songs have plenty of hooks and memorable moments, while Continue reading “Aenemica – Secret Lines (Review)”
Pain of Salvation – Panther (Review)
This is the tenth album from Swedish progressive rock band Pain of Salvation.
Here we have 54 minutes of progressive rock that’s laced prominently with electronica. For such a well-known and long-serving band, I’m not really that familiar with Pain of Salvation, and I have to say that Panther makes me regret this, as it’s a very strong record indeed. Continue reading “Pain of Salvation – Panther (Review)”
Brimstone Coven – The Woes of a Mortal Earth (Review)
This is the fourth album from Brimstone Coven, a rock band from the US.
Here we have 35 minutes of endearing rock that mixes together elements of proto-metal and doom rock to produce music that has a 70s feel, while not being overly beholden to it. Bands like Black Sabbath, Pentagram, and Deep Continue reading “Brimstone Coven – The Woes of a Mortal Earth (Review)”
Empress – Premonition (Review)
This is the debut album from Canadian doom band Empress.
I enjoyed 2017’s Reminiscence, with its psychedelic grooves and rolling riffs. It set out a strong opening argument for the band, which Premonition now ably capitalises on. Combining elements of doom, sludge, progressive, and post-metal into 49 minutes of expressive, mood-focused music, Premonition is a thoroughly convincing affair. Continue reading “Empress – Premonition (Review)”
