Mord’A’Stigmata – Like Ants and Snakes (Review)

Mord'A'Stigmata - Like Ants and SnakesMord’A’Stigmata are an avant-garde rock band from Poland and this is their sixth album.

Dreams of Quiet Places was a highlight of 2019 for me, so it’s with great anticipation that I turned to Like Ants and Snakes. I also thoroughly enjoyed 2013’s Ansia and 2017’s Hope, so Mord’A’Stigmata are a band with a great track record of strong album. Has their new one lived up to my lofty expectations? Continue reading “Mord’A’Stigmata – Like Ants and Snakes (Review)”

Hoaxed – Two Shadows (Review)

Hoaxed - Two ShadowsThis is the debut album from US rock band Hoaxed.

Two Shadows offers the discerning listener 28 minutes of characterful dark rock. Comprised of a few different influences from a range of styles, Hoaxed are charismatic and idiosyncratic. Elements of Gothic, melodic, alternative, and folk rock are Continue reading “Hoaxed – Two Shadows (Review)”

Avatarium – Death, Where Is Your Sting (Review)

Avatarium - Death, Where Is Your StingThis is the fifth album from Swedish dark rock band Avatarium.

Both 2017’s Hurricanes and Halos and 2019’s The Fire I Long For were very enjoyable records, showing good progression from one to the next that simply saw the band improving and diversifying. So what next for Avatarium? Continue reading “Avatarium – Death, Where Is Your Sting (Review)”

Ritual Dictates – No Great Loss (Review)

Ritual Dictates - No Great LossThis is the second album from Canadian metallers Ritual Dictates.

Featuring current and ex-members of 3 Inches of Blood and Revocation, this is an atypical album that probably doesn’t sound like you’re expecting it to. It certainly took me by surprise, in a very pleasant way. Continue reading “Ritual Dictates – No Great Loss (Review)”

Sumerlands – Dreamkiller (Review)

Sumerlands - DreamkillerThis is the second album from US heavy metallers Sumerlands.

Featuring a member of Vestal Claret, Dreamkiller contains 35 minutes of traditional heavy metal and AOR songwriting smarts. Continue reading “Sumerlands – Dreamkiller (Review)”

Sonja – Loud Arriver (Review)

Sonja - Loud ArriverThis is the debut album from US heavy metal band Sonja.

Loud Arriver boasts 38 minutes of music, and once you have been exposed to Sonja’s world, it’s hard to get enough of it. Playing a form of traditional heavy metal that contains elements of Gothic rock, 80s rock, and post-punk, Sonja’s debut album is very charismatic and extremely enjoyable. Continue reading “Sonja – Loud Arriver (Review)”

The Necromancers – Where the Void Rose (Review)

The Necromancers - Where the Void RoseThis is the third album from The Necromancers, a French heavy metal/rock band.

Playing a mix of classic heavy metal and occult rock, The Necromancers impress over 38 minutes with their charismatic and compelling take on an old-school style. Continue reading “The Necromancers – Where the Void Rose (Review)”

Gone Cosmic – Send for a Warning, the Future’s Calling (Review)

Gone Cosmic - Send for a Warning, the Future’s CallingGone Cosmic are a rock band from Canada and this is their second album.

Gone Cosmic play retro blues-laced psychedelic rock with a progressive edge, and touches of heavy metal. Which is a relatively simplistic description for such a potent record. Continue reading “Gone Cosmic – Send for a Warning, the Future’s Calling (Review)”

Might – Abyss (Review)

Might - AbyssThis is the second album from German doom band Might.

Might play an atypical form of doom metal with elements of post-rock, sludge, punk, grunge, and noise rock. Abyss is an unusually varied album, and operates in a lot of genres and styles, sometimes all at once. Continue reading “Might – Abyss (Review)”