Yob – Wonderbox Metal

Doubtsower – Asphyxiation of a Seasick Soul (Review)

Doubtsower is a one-man Welsh doom metal band and this is his debut album.

The songs on Asphyxiation of a Seasick Soul are a collection of impactful doom songs that wield deft emotion alongside crushing riffs. The music is crafted from a form of doom metal that also uses elements from post-metal and post-rock, making for a textured, richly nuanced listening experience. For an initial comparison, think of a mix of Usnea and Isis, with a bit of Yob thrown in, and you’ll get the general idea. Continue reading “Doubtsower – Asphyxiation of a Seasick Soul (Review)”

Hymn – Breach Us (Review)

This is the second album from Hymn, a Norwegian doom/sludge metal band.

Hymn play a mix of doom and sludge, and Breach Us contains 38 minutes of music divided into 4 tracks. The band is made up of only two members, but you wouldn’t necessarily realise this immediately as Breach Us sounds massive. Continue reading “Hymn – Breach Us (Review)”

Empress – Premonition (Review)

This is the debut album from Canadian doom band Empress.

I enjoyed 2017’s Reminiscence, with its psychedelic grooves and rolling riffs. It set out a strong opening argument for the band, which Premonition now ably capitalises on. Combining elements of doom, sludge, progressive, and post-metal into 49 minutes of expressive, mood-focused music, Premonition is a thoroughly convincing affair. Continue reading “Empress – Premonition (Review)”

Living Gate – Deathlust (Review)

Living Gate are an international death metal band and this is their debut EP.

Featuring members of bands such as Yob, Wiegedood, and Amenra, they bombard us with 18 minutes of old-school death metal. Continue reading “Living Gate – Deathlust (Review)”

Wonderbox Metal End of Year List – Best Metal of 2018

Having considered it long and hard, I’ve decided that any form of introductory paragraph with any real substance would simply detract from the list below. As such, all I’ll say is that 2018, like every year, has given us some top quality metal releases. So have a look at my top picks for 2018, and hopefully you’ll find a new band to obsess over…

Continue reading “Wonderbox Metal End of Year List – Best Metal of 2018”

Skullcave – Fear (Review)

Skullcave are a progressive doom band from Australia and this is their debut album.

I was drawn to this album by the enigmatic album cover, and then reeled in by the description of the music – “an ambitious, qualitative blend of thick doom, dreamy instrumentals and layered vocals.” Continue reading “Skullcave – Fear (Review)”

Forming the Void – Rift (Review)

Forming the Void are a progressive stoner/sludge doom band from the US. This is their fourth album.

After enjoying Forming the Void’s split with Pyreship, I was eager to hear more from the band. Thankfully, that desire has been catered to in the form of Rift; 46 minutes of new material for me to wrap my ears around. Continue reading “Forming the Void – Rift (Review)”

Ancestors – Suspended in Reflections (Review)

Ancestors are a progressive doom band from the US and this is their fourth album.

Ancestors’ music has a base of traditional doom metal, which they then build on with progressive, psychedelic, stoner, and post-rock elements. Continue reading “Ancestors – Suspended in Reflections (Review)”

Monthly Overview – the Best of June 2018

So what dark delights do we have for you this month? Yes, once again it’s time to delve into the best releases that June had to offer, and what a bunch of fine albums we have to share with you this time… Continue reading “Monthly Overview – the Best of June 2018”

Witchkiss – The Austere Curtains of Our Eyes (Review)

Witchkiss are a doom/sludge band from the US and this is their debut album.

Here we have a very compelling 42 minutes of heavy doom metal. Mixing in elements of sludge and post-metal, the songs thunder their way through the playing time with a mixture of brute-force intensity and intricate nuance, although the latter is frequently more prevalent than the former. Continue reading “Witchkiss – The Austere Curtains of Our Eyes (Review)”