Twelve

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Oerheks – Cagghenvinna Review

By Twelve on August 23, 2022 in Reviews, Atmospheric Black Metal, 13 comments

“I know pretty much nothing about Oerheks. Normally, that’s the kind of thing that gives me pause—I’d rather know who I’m writing about, what I’m supporting, and all of those fun details, but given that this Cagghenvinna is the debut album for a Flemish black metal band… well, it comes with the territory. As for what I do know, I’m fairly certain it’s a one-person project, with “H.” as its mastermind; I believe “oerheks” is Dutch, translating into something to the effect of “primal witch;” and I understand H. writes his music inspired “by local myths and lore.”” Flick of the witch.

Dawnwalker – House of Sand Review

By Twelve on August 22, 2022 in Reviews, Progressive Metal, 40 comments

“Dawnwalker have been around since 2011, but my first exposure to them didn’t happen until a mere couple of years ago, courtesy of this very blog. I was able to review Ages, the band’s fourth full-length release and compliment it on its well-done blend of progressive, death, and folk-like metal into one monolithic beast of an album. If words like those excite you, though, you should know that Dawnwalker do not stay in the same place for long—House of Sand is nothing like that, but don’t let that get you down. For their fifth full-length, the English band explore some new sounds, revisit old ones, and build out their album in a frankly beautiful way.” Downtuned Abbey.

Hautajaisyö – Ei hauta kysy lupaa Review

By Twelve on August 8, 2022 in Reviews, Death Metal, 15 comments

“It’s always nice to get what you expect. Lately it’s been slim pickings in promo land—my vulture-esque colleagues have snatched up what little was there to begin with for the month of August, leaving me with naught but death metal and grindcore to choose from. Despite not having a ton of experience with the style—and yes, that is a disclaimer—I went with death metal. Finland’s Hautajaisyö, now releasing their fourth full-length album Ei hauta kysy lupaa, are promoted as death metal, used that cover over there for their album, and apparently believe “in raw and brutal music and dark themes.”” Haut in the city.

Graveshadow – The Uncertain Hour Review

By Twelve on July 23, 2022 in Reviews, Power Metal, Symphonic Metal, 24 comments

“The Uncertain Hour, over the course of fifty minutes or so, launches the listener through a galloping field of riffs, leads, and triumphant melodies in one of the better samples of symphonic power metal I’ve heard lately. Upbeat, catchy, and well-written, it has all of the makings of a grower, and talent to match.” Death is certain, good reviews are not.

Forsaken Eternity – A Kingdom of Ice Review

By Twelve on July 17, 2022 in Reviews, Black Metal, Symphonic Metal, 14 comments

“I like it when black metal is fun. And I know, I know, that’s not “the point” of the genre, except we’re way past the ‘90s and black metal is a whole lot cooler than it used to be. And if you don’t believe me, why not take a gander at that cover art and wilt under the crushing weight of your own doubts? Forsaken Eternity is a symphonic black metal act from the United States, and, despite having been around since 2015, A Kingdom of Ice is their debut full-length album. Here, we see a comparatively young band who plays it fast, plays it cool, and plays it pretty fun.” Forsaken frowny faces.

Horizon Ignited – Towards the Dying Lands Review

By Twelve on July 10, 2022 in Reviews, Melodic Death Metal, 18 comments

“”It’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed some good ol’ melodeath,” so thought I as I opted to review Towards the Dying Lands, the sophomore full-length release from Finland’s Horizon Ignited. And, indeed, it has been—I feel like it’s been forever since I’ve really enjoyed new melodeath. And, of course, my well-meaning colleagues and cellmates here at Angry Metal Guy do tend to descend on all new melodeath entries like vultures, so I often have to rely on their opinions about new releases in the style, which are of dubious quality at best. All of this is to say I was fairly excited to begin listening to Towards the Dying Lands, which, it turns out, is a solid sample of the genre.” Melo bellows.

Final Light – Final Light Review

By Twelve on June 28, 2022 in Reviews, Post-Metal, Synthwave, 26 comments

“Something different. In two words, that’s how I can best describe Final Light, the eponymous debut full-length from Cult of Luna’s Johannes Persson and James Kent, better known as Perturbator. From the duo’s names alone, there’s expectation—both have been a part of some powerful releases lately, in the form of The Long Road North and Lustful Sacraments respectively, but their respective styles—post-metal and synthwave—don’t exactly lend themselves to being blended together, and, for my part, I’m not a huge fan of either one. But there’s the odd exception to every rule where opinions are concerned, and Final Light is certainly one such album.” Strange deadfellows.

Winds of Tragedy – As Life Drifts Away Review

By Twelve on June 19, 2022 in Reviews, Black Metal, Doom Metal, 26 comments

“At this point, discussing the impressive release schedule for music written by Sergio Catalán feels redundant. In fewer than three years of activity, Rise to the Sky has released five full-length albums alongside two EPs, one of which came out fewer than six weeks ago. And yet, here he is again, the main man of the one-man (alongside drummer Emidio Alexandre of Dark Oath) project Winds of Tragedy, only this time, the name of the game is black metal, not doom, and As Life Drifts Away is not the latest in a long line of releases, but the debut.” New style, same feelz.

Deep Sun – Dreamland – Behind the Shades Review

By Twelve on June 10, 2022 in Reviews, Symphonic Metal, 36 comments

“Wherever I end up in life, I’ll always have a soft spot for symphonic power metal. As much as I’m happy to malign the genre for its general lack of innovation, I always try to make some time to let it prove me wrong. Discovering Dreamland – Behind the Shades, the third full-length release from Swiss Deep Sun gave me what felt like my first chance this year to do exactly that.” Night(wish) falls in Dreamland.

Nova Luna – Nova Vita Review

By Twelve on May 26, 2022 in Reviews, Progressive Metal, 17 comments

“”Prog metal” is a weird label. At times, it feels almost like a catch-all for music that isn’t quite rock and isn’t quite metal. At others, it feels like a way for bands and fans alike to tout minor stylistic differences between one group and the next closest thing. And other times, prog metal is weird. So it’s kind of a gamble, opting to review music under this moniker, as was the case when I first spun Nova Vita, the debut full-length from Italian prog metallers Nova Luna.” Super Nova?