Cryptosis are a thrash metal band from the Netherlands and this is their debut album.
Cryptosis play an aggressive form of thrash that combines raw fiery hostility with progressive depth. Thrown into this mix are minor elements of symphonic, technical, black, and death metal, all of which merely add flavour to an already tasty thrash-tastic recipe. Think Continue reading “Cryptosis – Bionic Swarm (Review)”
Inhuman are a Belgian symphonic metal band and this is their debut album.
Inhuman mix together symphonic metal’s epic flamboyance with death metal’s bark and bite. The end result is an album that’s heavier and more aggressive than the norm for many bands who play in this arena, and all the better for it. Continue reading “Inhuman – Inhuman (Review)”
Therion are a Swedish symphonic/operatic metal band and this is their seventeenth album.
Where do you go after a three-hour metal opera marathon such as 2018’s Beloved Antichrist? Well, in Therion’s case, you condense, you prioritise arena-friendly catchiness, and you produce 46 minutes of thoroughly enjoyable material. Continue reading “Therion – Leviathan (Review)”
Ruins of Elysium are an international symphonic metal band and this is their second album.
Containing 73 minutes of symphonic power metal, Amphitrite: Ancient Sanctuary in the Sea is an epic work that covers a range of different aspects of power and heavy metal, all lusciously prepared with a rich symphonic and operatic coating. Continue reading “Ruins of Elysium – Amphitrite: Ancient Sanctuary in the Sea (Review)”
This is the fourth album from US progressive metallers Oceans of Slumber.
Oceans of Slumber is the much-anticipated follow up to 2018’s well-received The Banished Heart,
Oceans of Slumber’s progressive metal takes in elements of doom and Gothic metal to produce music that hits a lot of emotional highs, while still having kick where it counts. The band combine heaviness with ethereal beauty. Some of Continue reading “Oceans of Slumber – Oceans of Slumber (Review)”
This is the debut album from Khôra, a black metal band.
Featuring a member of Dødheimsgard, and so many guests it’s quite remarkable, (mainly on vocals or keyboards, and from bands such as …And Oceans, Amiensus, Dødheimsgard, Finntroll, Nòtt, and Moonsorrow), a lot of talent and experience has gone into Timaeus. Continue reading “Khôra – Timaeus (Review)”
This is the second album from German progressive metallers Thoughts Factory.
Six years after the enjoyable Lost, Thoughts factory are back with a new album, a new singer, and 54 minutes of professional, accomplished metal. More than that, it’s a damn good listen too. Continue reading “Thoughts Factory – Elements (Review)”
This is the fourth album from Russian blackened melodic death metal band Second to Sun.
Apparently this is a rerecording of the band’s 2016 release Blackbound, with added vocals, and other differences. I was totally unfamiliar with Second to Sun’s work prior to listening to The Black, so I can’t comment on how this relates to Blackbound, other than to say that it does. Continue reading “Second to Sun – The Black (Review)”
Entropy Coding is a one woman symphonic metal project from Italy, and this is her debut album.
This is sumptuous symphonic metal with power and progressive metal influences. The artist behind the band handles keyboards and composition duties, while many different guests fill the other necessary roles across the tracks. Continue reading “Entropy Coding – Tales of the Moon (Review)”
Therion are a Swedish symphonic/operatic metal band and this is their sixteenth album.
Holy crap. This is a three-CD album, with a total duration of over three hours. Dear me. Where do you even begin with a release like this? And in case you’re wondering; no, I have not listened to this in its entirety in just one sitting! Continue reading “Therion – Beloved Antichrist (Review)”
