Sludge metal – Page 2 – Wonderbox Metal

Void of Sleep – The Abyss into Which We All Have to Stare (Review)

This is the fourth album from Italian progressive doom/sludge metallers Void of Sleep.

It feels like an age has passed since 2020’s sterling record Metaphora, so it’s great that Void of Sleep grace us with their progressive doom/sludge metal once more. Containing 52 minutes of new material, The Abyss into Which We All Have to Stare is an album to spend some quality time with, unlocking its multitude of secrets. Continue reading “Void of Sleep – The Abyss into Which We All Have to Stare (Review)”

Zatokrev – …Bring Mirrors to the Surface (Review)

Zatokrev are a doom/sludge/post-metal band from Switzerland and this is their fifth album.

I was very, very excited to see this one appear. Rather shockingly, it’s been a whole decade since 2015’s Silk Spiders Underwater…, so it’s great to finally have the 65-minute …Bring Mirrors to the Surface. Zatokrev are one of the greatest doom/sludge/post-metal bands in existence, yet are criminally unknown. They’ve now signed to the fantastic Pelagic Records, wo hopefully this will allow them to get the exposure they deserve. Continue reading “Zatokrev – …Bring Mirrors to the Surface (Review)”

Malevich – Under a Gilded Sun (Review)

Malevich are a screamo/sludge metal band from the US and this is their third album.

Under a Gilded Sun is the 39-minute follow up to 2019’s Our Hollow, and reveals a band that have spend their time wisely between albums. Malevich have impressed with this latest collection of songs. Continue reading “Malevich – Under a Gilded Sun (Review)”

Ba’al – The Fine Line Between Heaven and Here (Review)

This is the second album by Ba’al, a blackened post-metal band from the UK.

I’ve been looking forward to this. 2017’s In Gallows by Mass introduced me to Ba’al’s brand of post-metal, but it was on 2020’s Elipsism where the band truly came into their own, developing a post-black metal framework for their post-metal that was hugely impressive. Last year’s EP Soft Eyes, a quality collection of songs, merely whetted my appetite for more, which we are now gifted with in the form of the 62-minute The Fine Line Between Heaven and Here. Continue reading “Ba’al – The Fine Line Between Heaven and Here (Review)”

AAWKS – On Through the Sky Maze (Review)

AAWKS are a Canadian doom band and this is their second album.

Up until now my first and only encounter with AAWKS was on their enjoyable split with Aiwass from 2023. I almost missed this one, until a friend recommended it, and here we are. On Through the Sky Maze delivers 48 minutes of occult psychedelic doom metal for us to devour, and it tastes damn good. Continue reading “AAWKS – On Through the Sky Maze (Review)”

Cave Sermon – Fragile Wings (Review)

This is the third album from Australian post-metal solo band Cave Sermon.

On Fragile Wings the artist behind Cave Sermon has created an interesting and enjoyable 4o minutes of music. It’s a hybrid style, combining death, black, sludge, progressive, and post-metal, resulting in an album that covers a lot of bases in a well-blended, immersive way. Continue reading “Cave Sermon – Fragile Wings (Review)”

Rwake – The Return of Magik (Review)

This is the sixth album from US doom/sludge band Rwake.

The Return of Magik contains 54 minutes of a progressive and atmospheric mix of sludge, doom, and post-metal. With three guitarists, two vocalists, and the select use of a range of instruments and ideas, Rwake have created an impressive record. Continue reading “Rwake – The Return of Magik (Review)”

Fange – Purulences (Review)

This is the eighth album from French industrial metal band Fange.

I haven’t caught up with Fange since 2014’s Poisse and 2017’s Pourrissoir, and the band have been very productive since then. They have released a slew of albums and developed their sound in different directions, all branching out from a malevolent heart. So what does Purulences offer us in 2025? Continue reading “Fange – Purulences (Review)”

Druma – Sores of Our Time (Review)

This is the second album from German post-metallers Druma.

Sores of Our Time contains 36 minutes of music spread out over four songs. Druma’s style is a mix of sludge and post-metal, with dark atmosphere and a rich blackened touch. With a promo blurb that says it should be for fans of bands such as The Ocean, Cult of Luna, Amenra, and Gaerea, Sores of Our Time is an album that demanded I pay attention to it. Continue reading “Druma – Sores of Our Time (Review)”

Guiltless – Teeth to Sky (Review)

This is the debut album from US doom band Guiltless.

Following on from last year’s enjoyable debut EP Thorns, it’s time to see what Guiltless are capable of across a full length. Brought to us by current/ex-members of Intronaut, Generation of Vipers, Battle of Mice, A Storm of Light, IIVII, and Neurosis, the 43-minute Teeth to Sky is no disappointment. Continue reading “Guiltless – Teeth to Sky (Review)”