Twelve

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Rise to the Sky – Two Years of Grief Review

By Twelve on June 25, 2023 in Reviews, Death Doom, Doom Metal, 16 comments

“The last time Sergio Catalán released a full-length album—only four months ago, because of course—I opened my review with a rhetorical question: Sergio González Catalán—can anyone stop this man? Does anyone want to? Now, in June of 2023, the answer is clear: only Sergio can stop Sergio, and today, in a sense, he has chosen to act. Two Years of Grief, the sixth full-length release from his solo project Rise to the Sky marks an end to a “series” he began two years ago on the passing of his father, Sergio González Bombardiere.” Productive pain.

Angus McSix – Angus McSix and the Sword of Power Review

By Twelve on April 20, 2023 in Reviews, 99 comments

“Hello, reader—can I call you reader? Let’s be honest with each other. You know exactly what to expect here. You know what kind of music this is; you know what this review is going to say; you do not need to skip to the end to know what score is coming. Even if you don’t know that the former vocalist for Gloryhammer Thomas Winkler has, since his dramatic departure from the group, started up anew with a Europe-spanning band called Angus McSix, even if you didn’t know that Gloryhammer and Winkler are well-known for their cheesy, over-the-top tales of fantasy, even if you haven’t glanced down and noticed that the preview song on Bandcamp for Angus McSix and the Sword of Power is called “Laser-Shooting Dinosaur,” you know.” Six appeal.

Bonjour Tristesse – Against Leviathan! Review

By Twelve on April 15, 2023 in Reviews, Black Metal, 14 comments

“As I write this, it is an unseasonably hot day and I am hunkered down trying in vain to keep the dark in and the heat out of my little world. All around me, coworkers and friends marvel at the gorgeous, sunny, life-bringing weather we’re experiencing, and I’m here thinking it’s all stupid and I’d much rather it was cold again. All this is to say, I think I’m in the perfect state of mind to be listening to and reviewing Against Leviathan!, the third full-length release from Bonjour Tristesse.” Black n’ cold.

Suotana – Ounas I Review

By Twelve on March 26, 2023 in Reviews, Melodic Black Metal, 44 comments

“Finland—is there something in the water? Is the air cleaner, the skies bluer, the nighttime cooler? Really, I don’t know what it is, but when you put the words “Finnish” and “black metal” together, the result is, on average, just better. And no, I don’t have stats to back this up, and I don’t plan on finding any either. All I’m going to do here is explain that between that cover over there and that country over there, I have unreasonable expectations for Ounas I, the fourth full-length release from Finnish melodic black metal act Suotana.” Fin living.

Winds of Tragedy – Hating Life Review

By Twelve on February 24, 2023 in Reviews, Black Metal, 28 comments

“Sergio González Catalán—can anyone stop this man? Does anyone want to? Year after year, EP after EP, full-length after full-length, there is no slowing him down. Less than two months into 2023, the man behind Rise to the Sky and Winds of Tragedy is back with another full-length, the sophomore album for his latter black metal project.” Hating down time.

MMXX – Sacred Cargo Review

By Twelve on November 23, 2022 in Reviews, Doom Metal, 21 comments

“MMXX is a very short name for a band, but it still says a lot about its story. During periods of isolation and lockdown in the titular year, Andrea Chiodetti (ex-The Foreshadowing), Jesse Haff (Daylight Dies), and Egan O’Rourke (Daylight Dies) formed something of a doom metal supergroup, based in the United States and Italy, and began writing music inspired by the events happening around them. From there, the project has grown ambitiously—now signed with Candlelight Records, the band brought on guest musician after guest musician to form something of a dark Avantasia-like project.” Sacred cargo or suspicious package?

Ols – Pustkowia Review

By Twelve on November 2, 2022 in Reviews, Neofolk, Not Metal, 7 comments

It’s been too long since I’ve happened upon some neofolk. Grabbing those folk albums that aren’t all that cheery and reviewing them is one of the best parts of writing here, and some of my favorite discoveries have been neofolk—including all of my albums of the year to date, for that matter. So I was thrilled to discover Pustkowia, the third full-length release from Poland’s Anna Maria Olchawa, the sole member of the project Ols.” Ols lang syne.

Armed for Apocalypse – Ritual Violence Review

By Twelve on October 19, 2022 in Reviews, Sludge, 11 comments

“Ah, sludge. The heaviest and slimiest of the fuzzy metals—or so I’ve been told. This actually isn’t a style I venture into at all. So then, why am I reviewing Armed for Apocalypse, described by their own promotional material as an ‘uncompromising sludge juggernaut?’ Boredom, maybe. Curiosity, perhaps? We may never know.” Sludge uphill.

Soul Dissolution – Sora Review

By Twelve on October 6, 2022 in Reviews, Black Metal, Post-Metal, 14 comments

“Post-metal and black metal are both styles of music I can enjoy mainly under the right circumstances. There are so many interesting ways to apply each one, but combining them together, I feel, has the greatest potential. The Agallochs of the world hold special places in my heart, and this is a big part of what initially attracted me to Belgium’s Soul Dissolution.” Post runners.

Meteora – …of Shades and Colours Review

By Twelve on September 8, 2022 in Reviews, Symphonic Metal, 6 comments

“I can only imagine it’s daunting to form a new symphonic metal band. Arguably one of the most popular forms of metal, the scene is supersaturated with talent, and it often feels like the “greats” have already come, made their mark, and started to move on. Trying to make a dent in the sea of symphonic sanity is a huge task, but many are those who step up to try, and they all have my respect for it. The latest of their number I’ve come across is Meteora, who formed in 2010 in Hungary.” Grand expectations.