Madam X

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Zørormr – The Aftermath Review

Zørormr – The Aftermath Review

By Madam X on June 6, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Polish Metal, Reviews, Via Nocturna, Black Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, 45 comments

“Poland’s been the source of some great metal over the years. Behemoth probably comes to mind first, being that Nergal’s the master of controversy and the court room. But putting that aside, there’s Vader, Decapitated, Hate and Lux Occulta, who along with many others have been delivering the goods and then some. Somewhere in the throng, the talents of one-man, black metal or dark ambient artist, Fabian Filiks (Moloch) of Zørormr became a little obscured.” One does not simply hear all the bands in Poland.

In Mourning – Afterglow Review

In Mourning – Afterglow Review

By Madam X on May 23, 2016 in 2016, Agonia Records, Melodic Death Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Progressive Metal, 41 comments

“Coming across In Mourning’s The Weight of Oceans was a great surprise. I knew nothing of the band, but the album art stole my breath away and for that reason alone, no matter what it sounded like, I needed to posses The Weight of Oceans. I grabbed the album and hit play, within seconds captivating waves washed over me, I was sold. Four years on, The Weight of Oceans still ranks as one of my most loved albums. Along comes Afterglow and I’m brimming with hope that it’ll be a solid continuation of its predecessor.” High expectations can be a frigid bitch.

Svarttjern – Dødsskrik Review

Svarttjern – Dødsskrik Review

By Madam X on May 9, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Soulseller Records, Black Metal, 8 comments

“I’m a sucker for HansFyrste’s ghastly vocal style, he could probably read from the phone directory and I’d be very okay with it. The bug in my ear took effect around Ragnarok’s Malediction and it only got worse when I discovered Svarttjern’s and later release Ultimatum Necrophilia. Thankfully it’s a solid 2-years beyond the release of Ultimatum, which means we get another shot of Svarttjern, decked out in all their bullet belt and corpse paint finery.” Phone directory grimness would be very kvlt.

Darkend – The Canticle of Shadows Review

Darkend – The Canticle of Shadows Review

By Madam X on April 23, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Italian Metal, Non Serviam Records, Reviews, Black Metal, 15 comments

“Until recently, I believe Italy’s Darkend promoted the kind of symphonic black metal that chased the coattails of bands like Cradle of Filth. With their fourth release, The Canticle of Shadows, I was unsure of whether to expect more of the same or something entirely new. I succeeded in missing their earlier releases like Damned Woman and a Carcass, Assassine and Grand Guignol, despite them receiving mostly positive reviews.” What the hell is a canticle?

Zhrine – Unortheta Review

Zhrine – Unortheta Review

By Madam X on April 6, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Icelandic Metal, Reviews, Season of Mist, Black Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Post-Metal, 22 comments

“Hailing from the Kópavogur area of Iceland’s capital Reykjavik, Zhrine rose from the deathly remains of Gone Postal. Somewhere between taking top spot in the 2012 Wacken Metal Battle and and today, the voices behind Gone Postal noticed their sound growing darker, becoming more atmospheric and permeated with despair.” Iceland keeps the fires burning still.

New Keepers of the Water Towers’ – Infernal Machine Review

New Keepers of the Water Towers’ – Infernal Machine Review

By Madam X on April 1, 2016 in 2016, Listenable Records, Non-Metal Metal Things, Not Metal, Post-metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Non-metal Metal Things, Not Metal, Post-Metal, 19 comments

“Infernal Machine is a seven-part journey, creating the soundtrack to Joe Haldeman’s 1974 novel The Forever War. The story, loosely depicts Haldeman’s military service during the Vietnam War, with the account chronicled as a space opera where the military fails to see its soldiers as any more than complex and valuable machines. This seems a large musical undertaking, especially in light that Ridley Scott has had the film idea “in production” since back in 2008….” An odd prog band bringing to life a weird novel? What could go wrong?

Cobalt – Slow Forever Review

Cobalt – Slow Forever Review

By Madam X on March 17, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Avante Garde, Black Metal, Profound Lore Records, Reviews, Black Metal, Sludge Metal, 39 comments

“How does one sit down and write a followup album when your discography includes not only Eater of Birds but Gin? The former regarded as “2007’s landmark album” and the latter acclaimed as “a pillar in American extreme metal.” Colorado’s Cobalt put themselves in that very position, and I suspect the process saw them battered and bruised in places they never thought possible.” It’s tough to be a trendsetter.

Omnium Gatherum – Grey Heavens Review

Omnium Gatherum – Grey Heavens Review

By Madam X on February 10, 2016 in 2016, Finnish Metal, Lifeforce Records, Melodic Death Metal, Reviews, Melodic Death Metal, 57 comments

“When great music flows from a band like water, it cranks up expectation to burning point. Your nerves tingle at the mere mention of a new official video. And your palms sweat a little as the band’s shiny new promo drops like manna into your outstretched, grabby hands. With so many full-bodied offerings under their belt, can Omnium Gatherum make a clean sweep giving themselves a mighty four out of four winning streak?” Grey is the new black.