Russian Circles – Page 2 – Wonderbox Metal

Sumac – The Healer (Review)

This is the fifth album from Canadian post-metal/sludge band Sumac, (who boast current and ex-members of bands such as Baptists, Genghis Tron, Isis, Old Man Gloom, Russian Circles, and These Arms Are Snakes in their ranks).

It’s been a while since I caught up with Sumac – 2018’s collaboration with Keijo Haino in fact, as well as their full length from the same year, Love in Shadow. I even had the privilege of catching them live in 2019. Apparently they also had an album out in 2020 called May You Be Held, which I somehow completely missed, which is a shame. All of which brings us to the immense 76 minutes of material on The Healer. Continue reading “Sumac – The Healer (Review)”

Urzah – The Scorching Gaze (Review)

This is the debut album from UK sludge/post-metal band Urzah.

The Scorching Gaze contains 42 minutes of material delivered in a charismatic hybrid metallic style. Urzah combine elements of sludge, post-metal, progressive metal, doom, and hardcore/metalcore into an exemplar of heaviness that feels timeless. Continue reading “Urzah – The Scorching Gaze (Review)”

Fall of Leviathan – In Waves (Review)

Fall of Leviathan are a Swiss post-metal band and this is their debut album.

In Waves is a 56-minute journey through instrumental soundscapes that has cinematic scope and an ambitious presence. The promo blurb mentions bands like Neurosis, Mogwai, Mouth of the Architect, Rosetta, and Russian Circles, which sets the scene nicely for Fall of Leviathan’s sound. Continue reading “Fall of Leviathan – In Waves (Review)”

A Burial at Sea – Close to Home (Review)

A Burial at Sea are a post-rock band from Ireland and this is their second album.

Close to Home contains 43 minutes of exquisitely rendered post-rock. Boasting contributions from shoegaze, jazz, and progressive rock, this is a non-standard album for lovers of broad soundscapes and brass-enriched musical vistas. It’s mostly instrumental, and paints wonderfully textured pictures with sound.

Continue reading “A Burial at Sea – Close to Home (Review)”

Mountain Caller – Chronicle II: Hypergenesis (Review)

This is the second album from UK progressive/post-metal band Mountain Caller.

Chronicle II: Hypergenesis is (mostly) instrumental, which is normally a style I avoid, although I’m not really sure why. Mountain Caller know what they’re doing though, and their appealing sound pulled me right in. Continue reading “Mountain Caller – Chronicle II: Hypergenesis (Review)”

Distances – Abstruse (Review)

Distances are a post-metal band from the US and this is their fifth album, (assuming you count 2016’s covers album Rip Offs).

Eagerly awaited after 2018’s hugely impressive Diableries, which rightfully made it into the top 3 of my album of the year list for that year, its follow up is finally here. Abstruse contains 41 minutes of new material, and finds the band altered, but full of fire and creative passion. Continue reading “Distances – Abstruse (Review)”

Underdark – Managed Decline (Review)

Underdark are a post-black metal band from the UK and this is their second album.

Following on from 2021’s Our Bodies Burned Bright on Re-Entry, Underdark have now returned with the 41-minute Managed Decline. Continue reading “Underdark – Managed Decline (Review)”

KYOTY – Isolation (Review)

KYOTY are an post-metal/sludge band from the US and this is their second album.

KYOTY, (or Keep Your Opinions to Yourself), are an instrumental act that have an atmospheric approach to music, taking in styles such as post-metal, post-rock, and sludge, combined with an industrial edge. Gathering together nine songs that were released over the 2020 isolation period, along with a new track exclusive to the album, this is a 70-minute work of rich evocative soundscapes. Continue reading “KYOTY – Isolation (Review)”

Bossk – Migration (Review)

Bossk are a UK post-metal band and this is their second album.

Migration contains 42 minutes of charismatic post-metal. Fusing together elements of atmospheric sludge and post-metal build/release, with experimental and psychedelic explorations, Migration is an impressive and accomplished work. Continue reading “Bossk – Migration (Review)”

Russian Circles – Blood Year (Review)

Russian Circles are an instrumental post-rock/metal band from the US. This is their seventh album.

2016’s Guidance was another sterling addition to Russian Circles’ quality discography, and Blood Year continues this trend with 40 minutes of new material. Continue reading “Russian Circles – Blood Year (Review)”