El Cuervo

I'm not deliberately contrary.
Sagenland – Oale groond Review

Sagenland – Oale groond Review

By El Cuervo on January 14, 2021 in Reviews, Black Metal, Folk Metal, 14 comments

“Oale groond is apparently steeped in the history and traditions of Twente, a region our resident Dutch expert told me is a rural area in the Eastern Netherlands. Releases following such long periods of seeming inactivity tend to go one of two ways: the first is that the resulting product is highly polished and evidently the labor of many hours; the second is that the band was truly inactive and subsequent albums demonstrate the lack of imagination which had previously stunted the band. Which way does this go?” groond to a halt.

The EP, Split, and Single Post [Things You Might Have Missed 2020] Part III

The EP, Split, and Single Post [Things You Might Have Missed 2020] Part III

By El Cuervo on January 3, 2021 in Things You Might Have Missed 2020, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Heavy Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Post-Metal, Progressive Metal, Sludge Metal, Speed Metal, Technical Death Metal, Thrash Metal, 43 comments

“The neglected, forgotten children; that’s what this post is about. Full-length albums are the proud first-born, strutting about with muscular arms and a beautiful face. But EPs?” Three times’ the harm.

Scolopendra – Those of the Catacombs [Things You Might Have Missed 2020]

Scolopendra – Those of the Catacombs [Things You Might Have Missed 2020]

By El Cuervo on December 3, 2020 in Things You Might Have Missed 2020, Death Metal, 29 comments

“If you frequent these parts, you may have been aware that 2020 has been death metal’s year. What you may not have been aware of is that some of the year’s best come from Italy. While you may think of ancient empires, Renaissance classicism or pizza when Italy comes to mind, Padua’s Scolopendra adopts a rather different approach on their debut called Those of the Catacombs.” Death in Venice.

Dark Psychosis – The Edge of Nowhere Review

Dark Psychosis – The Edge of Nowhere Review

By El Cuervo on November 24, 2020 in Reviews, Black Metal, Psychedelic Rock, 12 comments

“In my year-end haze of short days, lockdown and work-related torpor, I peered nervously into the promo pool for something which may re-energize my sedentary life. An intriguing “experimental black metal” tag caught my eye and it was with this that I embarked on a review of the new album by Michigan’s Dark Psychosis. The Edge of Nowhere represents only their third full-length release since forming in 1999, and it’s a far cry from those black/thrash early days.” Nowhere fast?

Dismal – Quinta Essentia Review

Dismal – Quinta Essentia Review

By El Cuervo on November 10, 2020 in Reviews, Classical, Gothic Metal, 63 comments

“It’s very satisfying that in a location where I’ve worked for over 6 years I can still enjoy new experiences. Italy’s Dismal and their new record called Quinta Essentia (Quintessence) represents a number of firsts for me. First time hearing this band; first dual review with a n00b; first album where different resources conflicted as to label; first album where different resources conflicted as to number of releases by the band; first album where my first listen resulted in 3 reviews’ worth of notes. It was all very intriguing to me, least of all the music produced here. The greatest challenge was narrowing my thoughts into a reasonable article. Where to begin?” First rodeos.

Pallbearer – Forgotten Days Review

Pallbearer – Forgotten Days Review

By El Cuervo on October 23, 2020 in Reviews, Doom Metal, 136 comments

“Spear-heading the surge of American doom metal in the 2010s, Arkansas’s Pallbearer were the saddest and slowest of the cohort which also includes the likes of Khemmis and Spirit Adrift. With a simmering melancholy and towering doom-laden riffs, they were simultaneously the most traditional but most fresh of these acts. 2017’s Heartless saw them leaning into progressive territory (and copping them the ‘Progbearer’ nickname) as it strove for expansive soundscapes and used dynamic song-writing. 2020 has been an especially sad year which would seemingly provide plenty of days to be forgotten; how fares Forgotten Days in this context?” Pall of shame.