This is the second album from US metal band The Watchers.
Nyctophilia contains 41 minutes of song-based metallic fun. Taking elements from the classic metal, thrash, stoner, grunge, and doom styles, The Watchers ably demonstrate what they are capable of. Continue reading “The Watchers – Nyctophilia (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)”
Welcome to my annual attempt to make sense of the ridiculous amount of good metal albums out there, awaiting discovery by intrepid metal explorers.
2023’s best of list has been one of the more difficult ones to put together, placing-wise, which is one of the reasons that I’m posting it later than I usually do. Even more so than normal many of the slots are interchangeable, and I especially struggled with positions two-nine – if such a thing were possible, they all deserve to be higher! In the end I decided to stop overthinking it and go with my gut, but the usual caveat of these lists being very subjective and subject to change depending on mood, feelings, etc. is larger than normal here.
There are some notable acts missing form the below. Not because they’re not worthy of inclusion, but because there are only so many spaces to be had. In fact, I almost ended up limiting this list to 20, rather than the now-customary 30, as I found it really difficult to know who to include and who not to. In the end I went with the standard 30 so that I could promote a few extra bands, as they absolutely all deserve it.
As for the top position, I wasn’t expecting it to be filled by a band I’d never heard before, playing a style that I don’t listen to as much as I used to. However, I suppose after last year, I shouldn’t have been too surprised.
I do hope you enjoy this list and find some new music to obsess over. Like always, thanks for your support if you have ever visited this site before, and here’s to a great 2024 for as many of us as possible. Continue reading “Wonderbox Metal End of Year List – Best Metal of 2023”
This is the second EP from New Zealand metal band Infinity Ritual.
2022’s Infinity Ritual was such a strong EP. It came out of nowhere and really made a mark. Now we have its follow up II. It’s hard to really classify this as an EP though, as it contains 40 minutes of new music! Still, who am I to complain about how bands classify their releases? Continue reading “Infinity Ritual – II (Review)”
Restless Spirit are a metal band from the US and this is their third album.
Afterimage contains 38 minutes of heavy, moreish music that’s infectiously delivered by a band that clearly know what they’re doing. Restless Spirit are not to be ignored. Fans of acts such as Somnuri, Witch Ripper, Khemmis, and Spirit Adrift please take note. Continue reading “Restless Spirit – Afterimage (Review)”
Mammuthus are a stoner metal/rock band from New Zealand and this is their debut album.
With a relatively brief duration of 30 minutes Mammuthus don’t mess around with filler or pointless procrastination; each track on Imperator is an exemplar of raw honesty and authentic character, as the band just want to kick out the heavy jams and steamroll everything flat as they do so. Continue reading “Mammuthus – Imperator (Review)”
This is the fourth album from Canadian progressive metal/rock band Dead Quiet.
Dead Quiet have an expressive and individual sound that sits somewhere between metal and rock. Combining stoner, heavy, and progressive influences into well-written songs with no small amount of charisma and personality, IV is 45 minutes very well-spent. Continue reading “Dead Quiet – IV (Review)”
High Priest are a US doom metal band and this is their debut album.
Invocation combines classic doom metal with elements of heavy metal, hard rock, stoner, and grunge. Across 45 minutes High Priest impress with their charismatic and vibrant take on a well-worn style. Continue reading “High Priest – Invocation (Review)”
This is the debut album from Norwegian stoner/sludge metal band Håndgemeng.
Ultraritual provides us with 42 minutes of stoner/sludge metal that has a hardcore edge. Taking a high energy approach to riff-focused heavy music, yet varied within this, Ultraritual is a melting pot of influences that come together well. Continue reading “Håndgemeng – Ultraritual (Review)”
Hail the Void are a doom/stoner metal band from Canada and this is their second album.
Memento Mori is a doom metal record that pays homage to the classic style, while delivering an experience that 2023 should be pleased to host. Continue reading “Hail the Void – Memento Mori (Review)”
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