Kenstrosity

Destroying AMG's metal cred from within.

In Mourning – The Bleeding Veil Review

By Kenstrosity on November 27, 2021 in Reviews, Death Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Melodic Metal, Post-Metal, 53 comments

“Of all the melodic death metal bands that live in the eternal shadow of gloom, the only act I consistently return to is In Mourning. For one reason or another, this band’s particular blend of crooning introspection and deceptive heft resonates with me. From the inimitable Monolith to the career resurgence of Garden of Storms, the Swedes kicked out quality melodic death metal, slowly but smoothly integrating bits of black metal and post-metal into their formula as they matured. In 2021, sixth installment The Bleeding Veil ushers in a new hot streak for the group.” Mourning hasn’t broken.

W.E.B. – Colosseum Review

By Kenstrosity on November 15, 2021 in Reviews, Black Metal, Death Metal, Symphonic Metal, 21 comments

“W.E.B. was not what I was led to believe them to be. The promo titling called them “Symphonic Metal,” which in my mind doesn’t extend to the extreme side of things. Upon sampling their new fifth installment, Colosseum, however, I came to realize I was misinformed. ,b>W.E.B. is perhaps one of the most extreme bands I’ve heard in the last two years that rightfully claim the symphonic metal tag.” False flags and sticky WEBS.

Astrophobos – Corpus Review

By Kenstrosity on November 12, 2021 in Reviews, Black Metal, 25 comments

“Astrophobos, a black metal trio hailing from Stockholm, Sweden, find themselves in moderately good company here at AMG Skullpits and Sundries, LLC. While they’ve tooled around since 2009, only their 2014 debut Remnants of Forgotten Horrors received a proper review treatment and was well received. We missed the sophomore effort, released in 2019, but I found myself intrigued by the monochrome artwork adorning their third record, Corpus.” Space corpse, muther_ _ _ _ _ _.

Stuck in the Filter – October’s Angry Misses

By Kenstrosity on November 11, 2021 in Blog Posts, Stuck in the Filter, 70 comments

“It’s been a minute and change since I felt anything was good enough to include in the Filter, but October is always a stuffed month for metal. It’s no surprise, then, that I had to narrow down my choices to the things I thought deserved the most mention. With a couple of my fellow spelunkers behind me, I dive deep into the recesses of this filth-caked compartment.” Fear the Filter.

Zornheym – The Zornheim Sleep Experiment Review

By Kenstrosity on October 27, 2021 in Reviews, Black Metal, Death Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Symphonic Metal, 36 comments

“Where Hatred Dwells and Darkness Reigns floored me the first time I heard it back in 2017. I suspect that I liked it a fair bit more than Ferrous Beuller
did, but his review (one of the first reviews I read on this site, in fact) is how I discovered it, so I owe him big-time. Zornheym’s blend of symphonic bombast with blackened death wrapped in Shutter Island-esque psychological horror sold me right away. Four years later, I still return to it often. The Swedish quartet announced the follow-up to Where Hatred Dwells and Darkness Reigns a few months ago, and since then Ferrous and I spent much time gossiping and whispering in anticipation for The Zornheim Sleep Experiment.” To sleep, perchance to fanboy.

Conjureth – Majestic Dissolve Review

By Kenstrosity on October 21, 2021 in Reviews, Death Metal, 14 comments

“As October enters its final weeks, the looming threat of list season and a veritable deluge of highly anticipated releases towers menacingly above. The first of those highly anticipated releases for me happens to drop on my birthday. Conjureth, an old-school death metal trio wreaking havoc from the West Coast (California, to be more specific), released one very strong short form outburst that garnered my attention last year. Now their debut Majestic Dissolve lies throbbing and evil in my waiting grasp.” Throb rules.

Atræ Bilis – Apexapien Review

By Kenstrosity on October 13, 2021 in Reviews, Death Metal, Technical Death Metal, 35 comments

“Atræ Bilis unlocked a whole other level of riff when they dropped Divinihility last year. The Canadian death troupe demolished kingdoms as far as the eye could see, razing the ground with razor-sharp riffs and songwriting tighter than the leather pants of your average hair metal frontman. That EP rocked my entire world for months on end, and I repeatedly return to it more than a year later. Today, I have in my hands the debut full-length by these chaps, entitled Apexapien.” Is MOAR always MOAR?

Zetar – Devouring Darkness Review

By Kenstrosity on October 12, 2021 in Reviews, Black Metal, Death Metal, 31 comments

“Formed in 2019 as a solo act from Austin, Texas, the now international trio Zetar are so new and obscure that I couldn’t even locate an entry for them on the hallowed Encyclopaedia Metallum database. That might be due to the fact that the group entirely avoided releasing any demos, EPs, singles, or live recordings leading up to their debut record, Devouring Darkness. It could also be that the community running Metallum suddenly decided to act like a bunch of lowlife slackers, but I suppose we’ll never know.” Obscurity and site beefin’.

NecroticGoreBeast – Human Deviance Galore Review

By Kenstrosity on October 5, 2021 in Reviews, Death Metal, Slam, 39 comments

“I’ve officially entered October promo world. October is also my birthday month. Therefore, for the next 31 days (starting this Friday) I am only picking up promo for my favorite genre: death metal. Thankfully, there’s a ton of promising deathly tomes stacked perilously in the bin. One such tome is Canadian brutal slam punishes NecroticGoreBeast’s sophomore album, Human Deviance Galore.” Happy Deathday!

We Butter the Bread with Butter – Das Album Review

By Kenstrosity on September 23, 2021 in Reviews, Deathcore, Electronic Metal, 46 comments

“We Butter the Bread with Butter have gone full circle, entering 2021 with the same original lineup as when the duo first spawned in 2007, plus one adorable doggo. I’m not sure how that happened, but at least their secret formula remains intact. Electronic dance music and deathcore renew their vows on Das Album, drumming and bassing to and fro, trapping me beneath the weight of a stout breakdown or whipping me around a stupid catchy chorus.” I can’t believe it’s still Butter!