This is the fourth album from French heavy rockers Appalooza.
The successor to 2023’s The Shining Son, The Emperor of Loss contains 50 minutes, (with bonus track), of Appalooza’s characterful hard rock. Blending the classic rock, stoner, alternative, and grunge styles together into a collection of compelling songs, Appalooza have once again hit that sweet spot that most modern rock bands easily miss. Continue reading “Appalooza – The Emperor of Loss (Review)”
This is the sixth album from Norwegian doom/stoner metal band Kal-El.
I thoroughly enjoyed 2021’s Dark Majesty, so I’m chuffed that there’s a new Kal-El album. More than just this one too, apparently. The first part of an ambitious double album, Astral Voyager Vol. 1 contains 42 minutes of new material from Kal-El. Let’s get stuck right in. Continue reading “Kal-EL – Astral Voyager Vol. 1 (Review)”
Raging Speedhorn are a sludge metal band from the UK and this is their seventh album.
Following on from 2016’s Lost Ritual and 2020’s Hard to Kill, we’re now treated to the 35-minute Nightwolf. Raging Speedhorn are such a great, fun band, that a new album from this act is always a treat. Continue reading “Raging Speedhorn – Nightwolf (Review)”
Yes, it’s list season once more, so gather round and witness some of the best metal that 2024 had to offer!
2024 was a fantastic year for metal, and that’s an understatement. I thought 2023 was one of the weaker years for metal releases, overall. As such, putting last year’s list together, although challenging as it always is, was relatively effortless compared to this one. I don’t think I’ve agonised over placings more any other year. In the end, similar to last year, I just decided that enough was enough and I needed to just stop needlessly obsessing. Continue reading “Wonderbox Metal End of Year List – Best Metal of 2024”
Sergeant Thunderhoof are a stoner rock band from the UK and this is their fifth album.
2022’s This Sceptred Isle made a big impression on me, even breaching my end of year list, so The Ghost of Badon Hill is one I’ve been looking forward to. With much expectation riding on it, I’m immensely pleased to report that it has not disappointed at all. Continue reading “Sergeant Thunderhoof – The Ghost of Badon Hill (Review)”
Blue Heron are a heavy rock band from the US and this is their second album.
Ever since first encountering Blue Heron in 2021 on their debut release Black Blood of the Earth/A Sunken Place I’ve been partial to the band’s earthy brand of stoner rock. They capitalised on this early success in 2022 with their first album Ephemeral, and then the following year released a split with High Desert Queen which I particularly liked. All of which brings us to Everything Fades, and its 39 minutes of new material. Continue reading “Blue Heron – Everything Fades (Review)”
This is the latest EP from UK stoner rock/metal band Ghozer.
Following on from 2022’s solid Black Lotus, Ghozer have now returned with Forest of Bones, a new 22-minute EP. Forest of Bones contains four tracks – three new originals and a cover of a song by The Beatles. Continue reading “Ghozer – Forest of Bones (Review)”
Howling Giant are a rock band from the US and this is their second album.
I like me a bit of what Howling Giant are peddling, and Glass Future‘s 41 minutes of tuneage hits the spot nicely. Continue reading “Howling Giant – Glass Future (Review)”
Appalooza are a French heavy rock band and this is their third album.
The Shining Son contains 45 minutes of quality rock music. Taking in elements of the hard, stoner, and alternative rock/grunge styles, Appalooza’s charismatic music is easy to like. Continue reading “Appalooza – The Shining Son (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)”
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