Ephel Duath

Red Rot – Mal de Vivre Review

By Dolphin Whisperer on September 2, 2022 in Reviews, Gothic Metal, Hardcore, Progressive Metal, Sludge Metal, 15 comments

“The dissolution of Davide Tiso’s flagship project, Ephal Duath has left a scar, a gloom, that has festered in memory and stained the landscape that Red Rot oozes forth. Though not usually steeped in this depth of emotion, Tiso (also of Howling Sycamore) has a knack for writing music that challenges, even aiming to frustrate the listener, and, quite frankly, doesn’t always land—but that’s precisely why I’m excited to at least try what this Italian expat has to offer.” The rot inside a sad heart,

Gold Spire – Gold Spire Review

By Carcharodon on November 9, 2021 in Reviews, Death Doom, Post-Metal, 33 comments

“Coming off the back of a run of awarding three 4.0s in a row, a run that will likely see me fired—or at least badly mauled—by a certain helmet-wearing Ape, can the last-minute pickup of a post-death doom album, sporting Kenny G saxophone antics, save my fledgling career as a music journalist? Swedish quintet Gold Spire comprises former members of the now-defunct prog-death outfit Usurpress, as well as past and present members of Sarcasm, Obskyr and, crucially, Third Storm, the very first band I reviewed for this here site, meaning there would be a certain pleasing irony if Gold Spire’s debut prevents my firing.” Blood, treasure, and sax.

Howling Sycamore – Seven Pathways to Annihilation Review

By Huck N Roll on June 20, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, Progressive Metal, Prosthetic Records, Reviews, Uncategorized, Progressive Metal, 31 comments

“Last year’s self-titled debut from prog “supergroup” Howling Sycamore was one of my more positive surprises. On paper it shouldn’t have really worked: extreme drumming married to down-tuned guitars, then mashed in with over the top old-school vocals and the occasional crazed baritone sax. Yet the whole thing gelled in some weird, freakish way, and I was left hoping it wasn’t a one-off project. Well, here we are less than a year and a half later, with Seven Pathways to Annihilation, the band’s follow-up.” Screaming trees.

Steven Wilson – Hand. Cannot. Erase. Review

By Angry Metal Guy on March 30, 2015 in 2015, Kscope, Not Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Progressive Rock, 63 comments

“Unlike many of my friends and colleagues, I’ve rarely been moved by Steven Wilson’s music. With notable exceptions, Porcupine Tree’s studio work put me to sleep. Nor, I must admit, was I a fan of Insurgentes or Grace for Drowning at release. Despite having long been harangued for being an Opeth fanboy, I could not get into Storm Corrosion. In fact, if you’d asked me 5 years ago, I would have said that Steven Wilson’s genius is the ways in which he makes other bands sound incredible. That changed for me, however, with The Raven Who Refused to Sing from 2012. So when I heard that Wilson had a new record coming, I was intrigued: would it keep up the momentum and style of The Raven?” Well, can it?

Karyn Crisis’ Gospel of the Witches – Salem’s Wounds Review

By Grymm on March 30, 2015 in 2015, American Metal, Century Media, Gothic Metal, Reviews, Sludge, Gothic Metal, Sludge Metal, 18 comments

“Karyn Crisis needs no introduction. Her ability to use her considerable vocal chords, going from charming siren to raging banshee to guttural demon (sometimes within the same breath), is quite legendary. When her band, Crisis, went belly-up in 2006, Karyn took a sabbatical from music to concentrate on her art before meeting up with Davide Tiso, future husband and mastermind behind Italian avant-garde machine Ephel Duath in 2009….” And now we get a much more personal album from Karyn and Davide. This should be interesting.

Nostril Caverns – Inside the Cell/The Dying’s Last Breath Review

By Jean-Luc Ricard on September 14, 2014 in 2014, Canadian Metal, Death Metal, Grind, Reviews, Death Metal, Grind, 1 comment

“Nostril Caverns is a bizarre entity for more reasons than the incredible name. It’s the creative repository for one Chris Balch’s musical outpourings – he plays all the instruments and vocalizes – which over the past few years have included records of free jazz improv, tech-grind, noise, and a concept album about couples eating dinner at a restaurant. At this point you’re probably wondering whether Mr. Balch’s lack of band-mates is entirely of his own choosing.” This guy did a metal My Dinner With Andre? Now I can die in peace because I’ve heard it all.