Sludge – Wonderbox Metal

Agenbite Misery – Remorse of Conscience (Review)

This is the debut album from Agenbite Misery, a US black/death/sludge metal band.

Okay, it’s to the promo blurb for this one – “…the band began with a deceptively simple idea: to adapt James Joyce’s Ulysses into an experimental metal album. What emerged from that idea is a 55-minute odyssey of layered sonic aggression and literary depth, an album that blends blackened sludge, dissonant death metal, post-punk, ambient drone, and more into a singular, genre-defying statement of purpose.” So there you have it. Continue reading “Agenbite Misery – Remorse of Conscience (Review)”

Epimetheus – Perseus 9 (Review)

This is the debut album from UK doom band Epimetheus.

Containing 48 minutes of prime underground doom, Perseus 9 heralds the arrival of Epimetheus as ones to definitely watch. More than that though, as not only am I very intrigued by where Epimetheus take their material in the future, where they’re at right now is very compelling in its own right. Continue reading “Epimetheus – Perseus 9 (Review)”

Ligation – After Gods (Review)

This is the debut album from Finnish death metal band Ligation.

After Gods is billed as a full album, although it actually only contains 24 minutes of new music, spread over five tracks. However, there’s also a version with three additional bonus tracks that have been taken from Ligation’s previous two split releases, which brings the total up to 41 minutes. Either way, it’s an unconventional approach, but then Ligation’s music is unconventional too. Continue reading “Ligation – After Gods (Review)”

Doubtsower – The Past Melts Away with a Sneer (Review)

Doubtsower is a one-man Welsh doom metal band and this is his fourth album.

If you have yet to experience the uncommon blackened doom of Doubtsower, then let me recommend you Asphyxiation of a Seasick Soul, The Endless Shadow of Despicable Power, and Nothing Reduced to Everything. All are quality slabs of experimental darkness, and all have paved the way for The Past Melts Away with a Sneer. Continue reading “Doubtsower – The Past Melts Away with a Sneer (Review)”

Flowers of Rust – Crude Exhibitions of the Soul (Review)

This is the second album from US solo post-black metal band Flowers of Rust.

Crude Exhibitions of the Soul contains 33 minutes of post-black metal that’s of an uncommon variety. Flowers of Rust is an act with a different voice, and it uses it to command and demoralise. Continue reading “Flowers of Rust – Crude Exhibitions of the Soul (Review)”

Damnation Festival 2025 – BEC Arena, Manchester – 08/11/25-09/11/25 (Live Review)

Another year, another Damnation Festival. Has it really been 20 years? I went to the very first one waaaaay back in 2005, and a love affair was born. It has been great to watch it become one of the world’s best festivals. Kudos to the organisers for their continued passion and ability.

This edition is therefore the festival’s twentieth year and sees Damnation bigger and arguably better than ever before. It’s across two days now, and the lineup is strong in both depth and breadth. From veteran classics to newborn sensations, the festival has it all. Continue reading “Damnation Festival 2025 – BEC Arena, Manchester – 08/11/25-09/11/25 (Live Review)”

Beastwars – The Ship // The Sea (Review)

Beastwars are a sludge/stoner metal band from New Zealand and this is their fifth album.

Following on from 2019’s IV, (via a covers album in 2023 called Tyranny of Distance), comes the 40-minute The Ship // The Sea. I was excited to listen to this, as Beastwars always deliver, and it hasn’t disappointed. Continue reading “Beastwars – The Ship // The Sea (Review)”

Primitive Man – Observance (Review)

Primitive Man are a doom band from the US and this is their fourth album.

I confess to being a huge Primitive Man fan. If you’re unfamiliar with their horrendous works, check out (deep breath) – here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here. Observance brings us a massive new 68 minutes of material to get pulled down into the murk by. Continue reading “Primitive Man – Observance (Review)”

Believe in Nothing – Rot (Review)

This is the debut album from UK sludge metallers Believe in Nothing.

When the promo blurb tells me a release is for fans of Full of Hell, Thou, and Primitive Man, I can’t help but pay attention. Upon being exposed to Believe in Nothing’s foul mix of sludge, doom, and noise, I can tell you that Rot is worth getting down in the filth for. Continue reading “Believe in Nothing – Rot (Review)”

Space Witch – Mountains of Neptune (Review)

Space Witch are a stoner doom metal band from the UK and this is their third album.

Space Witch’s style is instrumental, and takes from the sludge, stoner, and doom metal styles. Their new record – Mountains of Neptune – contains just a single eponymous song, but it’s a 37-minute behemoth, so you’d better prepare for a crushing, cosmic experience.

Continue reading “Space Witch – Mountains of Neptune (Review)”