Portrayal of Guilt – …Beginning of the End (Review)

Portrayal of Guilt - ...Beginning of the EndPortrayal of Guilt are a blackened hardcore band from the US and this is their fourth album.

…Beginning of the End is the sound of Portrayal of Guilt pushing their sound harder and deeper. Across 31 evocative minutes, the band reach across genres and styles to grasp what they want in an unyielding iron grip. …Beginning of the End brings a lot to the table. Continue reading “Portrayal of Guilt – …Beginning of the End (Review)”

Witch Ripper – Through the Hourglass (Review)

Witch Ripper - Through the HourglassThis is the third album from US stoner/sludge metal band Witch Ripper.

2023’s The Flight After the Fall was a thoroughly enjoyable progressive stoner sludge album, so it’s with some expectation that the coming of Through the Hourglass is greeted. Across 44 minutes of new material, Witch Ripper Continue reading “Witch Ripper – Through the Hourglass (Review)”

Melvins with Napalm Death – Savage Imperial Death March (Review)

Melvins with Napalm Death - Savage Imperial Death MarchThis is a collaborative album between two legendary acts, Melvins from the US and Napalm Death from the UK.

Originally released last year as a 6-track limited tour CD/vinyl, Savage Imperial Death March is now getting a full release, with two extra songs and new artwork. It’s a 40-minute journey into an uncrowded collaborative space that brings together the sludgy melodic skill of Melvins and the off-centre experimental side of Napalm Death. Continue reading “Melvins with Napalm Death – Savage Imperial Death March (Review)”

Cult of Occult – I Have No Name (Review)

Cult of Occult - I Have No NameCult of Occult are a French doom band and this is their fifth album.

It’s great to have towering Cult of Occult back. The last time they graced us with their malignant presence was on 2021’s Ruin, but now we have a brand new full album. I Have No Name contains 70 minutes of doomsludge horror. My, what a Continue reading “Cult of Occult – I Have No Name (Review)”

Unearthly Rites – Tortural Symphony of the Flesh (Review)

Unearthly Rites - Tortural Symphony of the FleshUnearthly Rites are a Finnish death metal band and this is their second album.

Tortural Symphony of the Flesh is the 40-minute follow up to 2024’s Ecdysis, bringing us another filth-ridden slab of death/crust/sludge/grind/doom from Unearthly Rites. Strap yourself in, and get ready for something Continue reading “Unearthly Rites – Tortural Symphony of the Flesh (Review)”

Shadowvale – Shadowvale (Review)

Shadowvale - ShadowvaleThis is the debut album from UK sludge metallers Shadowvale.

After Shadowvale’s revelatory performance at last year’s Mangata Festival, this has been a release to watch out for.  Well, it’s now here, so the question that presents itself is this – was it worth the wait? Have Shadowvale  managed to deliver the goods and live up to their promise? Continue reading “Shadowvale – Shadowvale (Review)”