Friends of Hell – Friends of Hell (Review)

Friends of Hell - Friends of HellThis is the debut album by Friends of Hell, an international doom metal band.

As soon as I saw that Friends of Hell featured ex-members of Electric Wizard and Reverend Bizarre, I knew I wanted to sample its wares. I haven’t been disappointed. Continue reading “Friends of Hell – Friends of Hell (Review)”

Dread Sovereign – Alchemical Warfare (Review)

Dread Sovereign - Alchemical WarfareThis is the third album from Irish doom metal band Dread Sovereign.

I really like Dread Sovereign’s work, (see 2014’s All Hell’s Martyrs and 2017 For Doom the Bell Tolls), so listening to Alchemical Warfare was a must. Across 52 minutes the band kick out some of their best jams, so trust me when I say that if you’re at all into this style then you should make Alchemical Warfare a priority. Continue reading “Dread Sovereign – Alchemical Warfare (Review)”

Hellhookah – The Curse (Review)

Hellhookah - The CurseThis is the second album from Lithuanian doom metallers Hellhookah.

2015’s Endless Serpents was a good start to the Hellhookah tale, and now, five years later, we have the next chapter. The Curse gives us eight new tracks and 38 minutes of material to enjoy. Continue reading “Hellhookah – The Curse (Review)”

Eternal Black – Slow Burn Suicide (Review)

Eternal Black - Slow Burn SuicideEternal Black are a doom metal band from the US and this is their second album.

I enjoyed both 2015’s Eternal Black and 2017’s Bleed the Days, so new material from this band is no bad thing. Across 38 minutes Eternal Black bring the doom, and do so very ably. Continue reading “Eternal Black – Slow Burn Suicide (Review)”

Windhand – Eternal Return (Review)

Windhand - Eternal ReturnWindhand are a doom metal band from the US and this is their fourth album.

Despite Windhand being one of the higher profile examples of this type of music, their split with Satan’s Satyrs was my first exposure to them. As such, it’s great to hear what they’re capable of with a full album’s worth of material to play with. Continue reading “Windhand – Eternal Return (Review)”

Epitaph – Claws (Review)

EpitaphThis is the second album from Italian doom metallers Epitaph.

2014’s Crawling out of the Crypt was one of my favourite release from that year, and if I had to do that best of list over again the album would have definitely made it into the top 20 or so. As much as I enjoyed it at the time, it’s been a firm grower, and is an exceptional example of doom metal done right in an authentic, honest, and traditional way. Continue reading “Epitaph – Claws (Review)”

Dread Sovereign – For Doom the Bell Tolls (Review)

Dread SovereignThis is the second album from Irish doom metal band Dread Sovereign.

2014’s All Hell’s Martyrs was an absolute stormer of an album, and definitely one of my favourites from the doom metal genre. After catching them live at last year’s Damnation Festival, I was very excited to eventually hear some new material from the band. Finally, the wait is over. Continue reading “Dread Sovereign – For Doom the Bell Tolls (Review)”

Dead Witches – Ouija (Review)

Dead WitchesDead Witches are a doom metal band form the UK and this is their debut album.

Dead Witches feature past and current members of Electric Wizard, Ramesses and Psychedelic Witchcraft. Listening to Ouija you can expect slow, hypnotic doom metal that worships at the altar of Pentagram, Saint Vitus and, yes, Electric Wizard. Continue reading “Dead Witches – Ouija (Review)”

Lucifer’s Fall – II: Cursed & Damned (Review)

Lucifer's FallLucifer’s Fall are an Australian doom metal band and this is their second album.

We know Lucifer’s Fall from their 2014 debut album Lucifer’s Fall and their 2015 EP, (the title track of which also appears on this latest album). Continue reading “Lucifer’s Fall – II: Cursed & Damned (Review)”

Hellhookah – Endless Serpents (Review)

HellhookahHellhookah are a Traditional Doom Metal band from Lithuania. This is their début album.

This is Traditional Doom Metal for fans of bands like Black Sabbath, Saint Vitus, Pentagram and Trouble. The album is 35 minutes long and has 7 tracks, one of which is a Saint Vitus cover.

With both eyes firmly on the past, Hellhookah peel off the riffs that mark the style and these songs are easily digested.

I find that these songs are at their best the slower and more moody that the band play, such as on tracks like Endless Serpents.

The singer has a decent voice that does the job required. There’s no complaints in this department.

This entire album has a very authentic sound; it could have been recorded decades ago and just recently unearthed.

A not-unpleasant way to spend half an hour – have a listen and see what you think.