Canadian Metal

Serpent Corpse – Blood Sabbath Review

Serpent Corpse – Blood Sabbath Review

By Steel Druhm on July 11, 2023 in Reviews, Death Metal, 27 comments

“Montreal’s Serpent Corpse have a pretty badass name and that’s a great place for a retro death act to start life. And in fact, these lo-fi scuzzbuckets have only just begun living, dropping their first demo in 2021. Blood Sabbath is their official debut and it’s a murky, scabby blend of classic Swedeath, early days Autopsy, grim doom-death, and crustpunk. If there was ever a recipe for success in the deathverse, that particular proprietary blend would seem a solid candidate.” From grave worm to Serpent Corpse.

Kapnas – Kapnas Review

Kapnas – Kapnas Review

By Grymm on July 6, 2023 in Reviews, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Nu Metal, 118 comments

“We’ve all said, done, and worn things we aren’t necessarily proud of. Pants with legs that can hold a family of five comfortably? Yepper! Wallets with chains longer than an average CVS receipt? Been there, done that, got stuck on way too many things walking by. What I’m saying is that… well, in all of our lives, some cringe has happened. It’s unavoidable, yes, but we’ve moved on. Or at least some of us have. That leads us to the self-titled debut from masked Montreal “funeral doom” duo, Kapnas. All we are is dust on the weed.

The Anchoret – It All Began with Loneliness Review

The Anchoret – It All Began with Loneliness Review

By Carcharodon on June 23, 2023 in Reviews, Progressive Metal, 72 comments

There are some labels that you just know will deliver something interesting. That doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll like what you get but it will be different. I, Voidhanger is one such label. The Anchoret’s label, Willowtip is another. So, despite knowing nothing about progressive five-piece The Anchoret, or its debut, It All Began with Loneliness, I was ready for a journey.” Strange places, dark spaces.

Vortex – The Future Remains in Oblivion Review

Vortex – The Future Remains in Oblivion Review

By Kenstrosity on June 6, 2023 in Reviews, Black Metal, Death Metal, Symphonic Metal, 14 comments

“There are three schools of symphonic extreme metal, generally speaking. You have neoclassical material, which aims to recreate the lush and delicate intricacies of classical music of a bygone era reinvigorated by a metallic influence. Then, there’s the cinematic blockbuster approach, where choirs and orchestral hits function as a source of grandiose drama and explosive scale. Finally, you have the oddball works of mad scientists who use orchestration as a tool primarily to create strange and uncomfortable music. Vortex fall under the second category.” A night at the Vortex.

Red Cain – Näe’bliss Review

Red Cain – Näe’bliss Review

By Dolphin Whisperer on June 2, 2023 in Reviews, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, 46 comments

“2021 is one of those years that should have an asterisk attached for one reason or another, not the least of which is that our dear Kronos went and reviewed power metal favorably. Yes, it was Red Cain’s 2021 effort Kindred: Act II that solidified his inner weenie]—power metal of the most synth-entangled and anthemic variety.” Power to the people!

Thantifaxath – Hive Mind Narcosis Review

Thantifaxath – Hive Mind Narcosis Review

By Thus Spoke on May 30, 2023 in Reviews, Black Metal, 49 comments

“Thantifaxath have never been accessible and easy listening, but here they seem to have turned a corner into both a clarifying and an intensifying of their sound. Setting aside much of the noise influences that characterized their earlier work, they now sharpen their dissonant death edge, and sound somewhat like Portal, if Portal were accessible, with a crisper production, and forward, barbed vocals.” Facsimile of evil.

The Willowtip Files: Ion Dissonance – Breathing is Irrelevant

The Willowtip Files: Ion Dissonance – Breathing is Irrelevant

By Saunders on May 15, 2023 in Blog Posts, The Willowtip Files, Grind, Mathcore, Progressive Metal, 16 comments

“Pennsylvanian-based independent label Willowtip Records was established by Jason Tipton in the late ’90s. From humble beginnings, the label has stood the test of time, becoming one of the most respected and highly regarded record labels in the extreme metal scene. It takes something special to create a label with a consistently unfuckwithable roster of quality, innovative artists while retaining long-term integrity and durability. Willowtip is the self-proclaimed forward-thinking label, releasing a slew of modern classics and top-shelf albums that may have a lower profile but are more than worth your while.” Math grinding.

Atavistia – Cosmic Warfare Review

Atavistia – Cosmic Warfare Review

By Doom_et_Al on May 6, 2023 in Reviews, Black Metal, 32 comments

“It’s no secret that I was a little harsh on Canadian black metal outfit, Atavistia’s last album, 2020’s The Winter Way. Call it COVID-19 induced burn-out, call it black-metal fatigue, or simply call it being right, but that album grated this reviewer’s proverbial carrot. Far too long, bloated like a corpse in the sun, with a focus on sheer epic-ness at the expense of all else, I dropped the hammer on it and moved on. But a swell of opposition arose declaring that I had been too hasty; that I should take it back for one last dance. So when the follow-up, Cosmic Warfare, arrived, I changed our status from “Splitsville, Population: Atavistia” to “It’s Complicated,” and dived in. Was I being too kind or have these canucks found the key to my withered heart?” Dating in the darkness.

Milanku – À l’aube Review

Milanku – À l’aube Review

By Dear Hollow on April 17, 2023 in Reviews, Ambient Metal, Post-Metal, 15 comments

“Gentleness is a trait rarely exhibited in extreme music – perhaps for obvious reasons. The petals of flame that flutter to the earth are too often wrenched by relentless gravity, dream worlds meet their end with violent sound, and meditation that offers healing is ripped open like a scab. Therefore, gentleness is a scar for Milanku, a weariness with the wounds suffered and a soundtrack of healing – of a busted bone never set quite right.” Beauty in the darkest places.