Employed to Serve – Fallen Star (Review)

Employed to Serve - Fallen StarThis is the fifth album from UK metallers Employed to Serve.

With every release Employed to Serve just seem to be getting better. This culminated in 2021’s Conquering, a record that made it onto my best of list of that year. Which is why expectation is high for the band’s latest 48-minute record Fallen Star. Continue reading “Employed to Serve – Fallen Star (Review)”

Cancer – Inverted World (Review)

Cancer - Inverted WorldCancer are a UK death metal band and this is their seventh album.

As far as 90s death metal bands go, Cancer are severely underrated. When they returned in 2018 with Shadow Gripped they returned strong, and I actually can’t believe it was so long ago that it came out and that I saw them at that year’s Damnation Festival. Time really does fly. Anyway, Cancer have now returned with a new lineup, (including members of Dissocia, Eternal Storm, and Wormed), and the 46-minute Inverted World. Continue reading “Cancer – Inverted World (Review)”

Verheerer – Urgewalt (Review)

Verheerer - UrgewaltVerheerer are a German black metal band and this is their third album.

I enjoyed 2018’s Maltrér, as well as its 2019 follow up Monolith. In fact, I thought I had reviewed the latter too, but apparently not. Well, it’s been six years, and now we have the 52-minute Urgewalt, and I’m not going to miss writing about this little gem. Continue reading “Verheerer – Urgewalt (Review)”

Cryptosis – Celestial Death (Review)

Cryptosis - Celestial DeathCryptosis are a extreme metal band from the Netherlands and this is their second album.

Following on from 2021’s well-received Bionic Swarm, Cryptosis are now back with the 42-minute face ripper Celestial Death. I am of the opinion that a black metal touch makes everything better. Cryptosis seem to agree. Continue reading “Cryptosis – Celestial Death (Review)”

Vacuous – In His Blood (Review)

Vacuous - In His BloodThis is the second album from UK death metallers Vacuous.

2022’s Dreams of Dysphoria was a record that stood out from the crowd with its own take on a darker version of old-school death metal. As a result, I’ve been really looking forward to In His Blood. Can lightning strike twice? Continue reading “Vacuous – In His Blood (Review)”

Sarcator – Swarming Angels & Flies (Review)

Sarcator - Swarming Angels & FliesSarcator are a Swedish thrash metal band and this is their third album.

Sarcator play a black/death-influenced style of thrash metal, and Swarming Angels & Flies contains 44 minutes of material. Think of a blend of early-period old-school metal in the form of bands such as Kreator, Sarcófago, Sodom, and Morbid Angel, and then blend this with more contemporary acts like Hellripper, Devastator, and Midnight, and you’ll be on the right lines. You can throw in some other refences too at various points, but ultimately, despite the ancient style that underpins this album, it’s remarkably fun and fresh sounding. Continue reading “Sarcator – Swarming Angels & Flies (Review)”

Deathcontrol – The Endless Echo of His Own Litany (Review)

Deathcontrol - The Endless Echo of His Own LitanyThis is the debut album of Spanish grindcore band Deathcontrol.

Featuring an ex-member of Machetazo, Deathcontrol play a mix of old-school grindcore and experimental noisecore. The Endless Echo of His Own Litany contains 17 minutes of material, divided between the two styles; six grind songs, five noisecore tracks. Continue reading “Deathcontrol – The Endless Echo of His Own Litany (Review)”

Maul – In the Jaws of Bereavement (Review)

Maul - In the Jaws of BereavementThis is the second album from US death metal band Maul.

I confess I had unreasonably high expectations for this one going in. I really enjoyed 2022’s Seraphic Punishment, in that deeply satisfying way that only quality death metal can give you. Now that the 39 minutes of In the Jaws of Bereavement has arrived with the force of a gigantic hammer, have my expectations been met? Continue reading “Maul – In the Jaws of Bereavement (Review)”

Ripped to Shreds – Sanshi (Review)

Ripped to Shreds - SanshiThis is the fourth album from US death metallers Ripped to Shreds.

I thoroughly enjoyed 2022’s 劇變 (Jubian), so have been excited to listen to Sanshi. Containing 41 minutes of new material, Ripped to Shreds are on fire on their new record. Continue reading “Ripped to Shreds – Sanshi (Review)”