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)”

Undeath – More Insane (Review)

Undeath - More InsaneUndeath are a death metal band from the US and this is their third album.

Undeath have built a strong reputation very quickly. 2020’s Lesions of a Different Kind put them on the map, and then It’s Time…to Rise from the Grave saw them conquer and dominate a large portion of it. With that in mind, what do the 34 minutes of More Insane bring us? Continue reading “Undeath – More Insane (Review)”

1349 – The Wolf and the King (Review)

1349 - The Wolf and the KingThis is the eighth album from Norwegian black metallers 1349.

1349 boast current/ex-members of Gorgoroth, Keep of Kalessin, Mortem, and Satyricon in their ranks, and they provide us with 39 minutes of Norwegian black metal in the form of The Wolf and the King. Continue reading “1349 – The Wolf and the King (Review)”

Temple of Dread – God of the Godless (Review)

Temple of Dread - God of the GodlessThis is the fifth album from German death metal band Temple of Dread.

It has been little over a year since Beyond Acheron, so I was not expecting a new Temple of Dread album again so soon at all. God of the Godless comes to us in the form of 42 minutes of new material, and it once again demonstrates why the band are so good at what they do. Continue reading “Temple of Dread – God of the Godless (Review)”

Bewitcher – Spell Shock (Review)

Bewitcher - Spell ShockThis is the fourth album from US black/speed metal band Bewitcher.

I was taken with Bewitcher’s style of black/speed/thrash metal ever since I first heard 2016’s Bewitcher. After this, the band unleashed a worthy follow up in 2019’s Under the Witching Cross, as well as 2021’s Cursed Be Thy Kingdom, which I missed out on. All of which brings us to Spell Shock, the band’s longest album yet at 40 minutes, (44 if you include the bonus track). Continue reading “Bewitcher – Spell Shock (Review)”

Isolert – Wounds of Desolation (Review)

Isolert - Wounds of DesolationThis is the third album from Greek black metallers Isolert.

Isolert gained my attention with 2015’s Isolated Soul, held it with 2016’s No Hope, No Light…Only Death and 2017’s split with Insanity CultTowards the Great Dissolution, and then exceeded all expectations with 2020’s fantastic World in Ruins. The latter ended up in my top three in my end of year list for that year, so to say expectations are high for Wounds of Desolation is an understatement. Continue reading “Isolert – Wounds of Desolation (Review)”

Marrow of Man – Ancient Hymns of Apocalypse (Review)

Marrow of Man - Ancient Hymns of ApocalypseThis is the debut album from Marrow of Man, a one-man black metal band from the Netherlands.

Ancient Hymns of Apocalypse contains 46 minutes of black metal, with some thrash metal elements added in for extra brutality. The promo blurb says that the primary influences of this act are Dissection, Bathory, Evilfeast, Darkthrone, Odium, and Lunar Spells, so that will give you a starting point for the Marrow of Man sound. Continue reading “Marrow of Man – Ancient Hymns of Apocalypse (Review)”

Black Sites – The Promised Land? (Review)

Black Sites - The Promised LandBlack Sites are a heavy/progressive metal band from the US and this is their fourth album.

The Promised Land? is the 44-minute follow up to 2021’s enjoyable Untrue. That record was a strong one, narrowly missing on on my end of year list. I’m interested to see how The Promised Land? fares by the end of the year, as it’s arguably even stronger than its predecessor. Continue reading “Black Sites – The Promised Land? (Review)”

To the Grave – Everyone’s a Murderer (Review)

To the Grave - Everyone's a MurdererTo the Grave are an Australian deathcore band and this is their third album.

Quickly following on from 2023’s Director’s Cuts, To the Grave are back with the 35-minute Everyone’s a Murderer. I wasn’t expecting to hear more new material so soon from them, but I’m not complaining. Continue reading “To the Grave – Everyone’s a Murderer (Review)”