This is the third album from UK metallers Urne.
Urne are a great band. 2021’s Serpent & Spirit was a fantastic debut, and 2023’s follow up A Feast of Sorrow wasn’t too shabby either. After finally catching the band live at the end of last year supporting the mighty Orange Goblin, I was more than ready for Setting Fire to the Sky. Continue reading “Urne – Setting Fire to the Sky (Review)”
This is the second album from French solo black metal band Archvile King.
I enjoyed my time with 2022’s À la Ruine, so a new record from Archvile King is not unwelcome at all. Aux Heures Désespérées boasts 47 minutes of new material, and it’s pretty damn good. Continue reading “Archvile King – Aux Heures Désespérées (Review)”
Deathraiser are a Brazilian thrash metal band and this is their second album.
Deathraiser have opened a portal into the past, out of which steps confidently Forged in Hatred, a 34-minute thrash metal warrior. Get ready to thrash, as this thing has The Riffs. So many riffs! Continue reading “Deathraiser – Forged in Hatred (Review)”
This is the sixteenth album from legendary German thrash metal band Kreator.
Krushers of the World is the follow up to 2022’s Hate Über Alles, and I’m here to receive it with open arms. I’m a huge Kreator fan, so you’ll find no apologies for the glowing review below, as Krushers of the World is cracking record. Continue reading “Kreator – Krushers of the World (Review)”
This is quite the event. Legendary band Orange Goblin are calling it a day after 30 years, sadly, and this is their farewell tour. It’s sold out, which I’m happy for them about, as they’re a band who deserves all the success they have had and more. Tonight they’re joined by two other bands that I’m a fan of too, the mighty Grand Magus and the riff-tastic Urne. It promises to be a good one. Continue reading “End of Transmission: 1995-2025 The Final Tour – Orange Goblin/Grand Magus/Urne – Academy 2, Manchester – 13/12/25 (Live Review)”
Another year, another Damnation Festival. Has it really been 20 years? I went to the very first one waaaaay back in 2005, and a love affair was born. It has been great to watch it become one of the world’s best festivals. Kudos to the organisers for their continued passion and ability.
This edition is therefore the festival’s twentieth year and sees Damnation bigger and arguably better than ever before. It’s across two days now, and the lineup is strong in both depth and breadth. From veteran classics to newborn sensations, the festival has it all. Continue reading “Damnation Festival 2025 – BEC Arena, Manchester – 08/11/25-09/11/25 (Live Review)”
This is the second album from New Zealand solo blackened heavy metal band Miasmata.
Subterrania brings us 39 minutes of material from the artist behind Miasmata. The style is a mix of black, speed, thrash, and heavy metal, and these six songs exemplify how to combine these elements into something cohesive and entertaining. Continue reading “Miasmata – Subterrania (Review)”
This is the sixth album from Australian death metallers Werewolves.
Another year, another Werewolves album. Whether it’s 2022’s From the Cave to the Grave, 2023’s My Enemies Look and Sound Like Me, or 2024’s Die for Us, you basically know what you’re getting yourself into, and in my humble opinion it’s always gonna be good. If ferocious, unforgiving death metal, with a blackened bite and a technical edge is your thing, (along with some thrashy and grindy goodness), then The Ugliest of All is definitely for you. Continue reading “Werewolves – The Ugliest of All (Review)”
This is the second album from Belgian thrash metallers Sanity’s Rage.
Way back in 2012 I encountered You Are What You Swallow, and I liked it a great deal. Over the years, it’s stood up well, and always reminds me that thrash metal can still be hugely enjoyable when played well. Then after that, nothing. No idea why. But now, unexpectedly, something. The Dead Don’t Run, in fact; 47-minutes of well-written, well-built thrash metal. Continue reading “Sanity’s Rage – The Dead Don’t Run (Review)”
Testament are a legendary thrash metal band from the US. This is their 13th studio album, (14th if you count First Strike Still Deadly).
At this stage Testament should need little introduction. They’re an absolutely classic band, and a long time favourite of mine. I’ll link the reviews of their last two albums here – Brotherhood of the Snake / Titans of Creation – as a precursor to Para Bellum, but basically with Testament you know that at the very least you’re going to get a very good metal album to headbang around too. Continue reading “Testament – Para Bellum (Review)”
Wonderbox Metal 