Temple of Tortorous Records

Eternal Deformity – No Way Out Review

By Eldritch Elitist on November 13, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Polish Metal, Reviews, Temple of Tortorous Records, Gothic Metal, 27 comments

“By the time you read this, Halloween 2016 is long gone. Oral surgeons have deposited their paychecks earned at the expense of children unfortunate enough to chomp down on razor blades, and your cranky olde neighbor is probably marching across the street right now to ask when the hell you’re getting that damned rotting jack o’ lantern off your porch. As I’m writing, however, the night of Halloween is still young, and I have an appropriately eerie soundtrack to accompany the festivities.” The pumpkin stays right where it’s at, bub.

Moloken – All is Left to See Review

By Kronos on November 6, 2015 in 2015, Avante Garde, Doom Metal, Releases, Reviews, Sludge, Temple of Tortorous Records, Post-Metal, Sludge, 12 comments

“Last year’s big surprise for me was Palingenesis, a beautiful neo-folk album that beat out some really good death metal for my year-end list’s #9 spot and led to me purchasing the very last vinyl copy Nebelung had on them (suck it). At first glance, progressive sludge/doom outfit Moloken might not seem anything like that troupe of cello-wielding Germans, but All is Left to See turns out to be full of surprises.” Here at AMG, we like musical surprises that don’t involve White Wizzard.

Atavismo – Desintergracion EP Review

By Lord Doom on June 24, 2015 in 2015, Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Spanish Metal, Temple of Tortorous Records, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, Psychedelic Rock, 25 comments

“Truth is, I envy the good people of Spain. Even if they didn’t host those big metal festivals and benefit from constant visits by artists who would never think of coming to my native México, their concert-goer logistical advantages are undeniably desirable. For example, they can jump on a train for a few hours for the chance to, say, attend one of the Altar of Plagues farewell tour dates (fuck, that hurt more than it should’ve), whereas, if I want to catch a train to the US, it would have to be “La Bestia.” Yes that’s Spanish for “The Beast,” also un-ironically known as, “The Death Train.”” And don’t try to use that as excuse to work from home either, son!

Total Negation – Zeitzeuge Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on June 13, 2015 in 2015, Black Metal, German Metal, Reviews, Temple of Tortorous Records, Black Metal, 6 comments

“Those that know Total Negation know that Wiedergaenger can do more than just play the drums. New release, Zeitzeuge, continues down the road of weird, depressive black metal that Wiedergaenger built; full of depression, German lyrics, oddball percussion instruments, and even some of those stringed ones.” Can the stringed ones carry these tunes above mediocrity?

Valborg – Romantik Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on May 18, 2015 in 2015, Death Metal, Doom Metal, German Metal, Gothic Metal, Reviews, Temple of Tortorous Records, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Gothic Metal, 12 comments

“Admittedly, Valborg’s fifth full-length Romantik was selected for review by yours truly based solely on one thing: Valborg apparently sounds like Triptykon. I know; that’s not exactly the best approach when selecting a promo. However, being the fan I am of Tom G. Warrior Inc. (look no farther than my pick for 2014’s Album of the Year), how could I go wrong?” Did someone get trick-tykoned?

Below the Sun – Envoy Review

By Madam X on February 13, 2015 in Post-metal, Reviews, Russian Metal, Temple of Tortorous Records, Experimental Metal, Post-Metal, 16 comments

“Bands enshrouded in mystery have almost become a gimmick, but it’s a gimmick that really works. What we don’t know makes us wonder and look on with morbid curiosity, and as such, I landed myself this obscure number, Envoy.” Noctus loves obscure stuff, so we gave him this gem from the wilds of Russia, where wolves hunt vodka and men drink rocks.

Nebelung – Palingenesis Review

By Natalie Zed on March 2, 2014 in 2014, Blog Posts, Folk Metal, German Metal, Reviews, Temple of Tortorous Records, Folk Metal, 12 comments

“I grew up in the woods. My parents’ house was located just outside of town, set back just a little from the highway, and there was a stretch of woodlot on one side of the house that stretched almost half a kilometre. I’d play there, read there, climb the trees and bury treasure in the soft, mossy dirt. Behind the house were some farmer’s fields — corn, soybeans — and behind there, more woods and lakes. I spent much of my time pleasantly lost, surrounded by bugs and dirt and the green and a blue arch of sky; I had a recurring dream (I think) of walking out my back door and into the woods at night, surrounded by dancing lights, and losing track of which were fireflies and which were stars. Listening to dark folk project Nebelung’s latest release, Palingenesis, is the closest I have felt to those dreams, and that time in my life, in years.” The beauty in this darkness took Natalie back to some happy childhood memories. How cool is that?

Vom Fetisch der Unbeirrtheit – Vertilger Review

By Madam X on September 11, 2013 in 2013, Black Metal, German Metal, Non-Metal Metal Things, Reviews, Temple of Tortorous Records, Black Metal, 9 comments

“When does a song become high art instead of mere music? Every once in a while you come across an album that makes you question what you define as music. The tracks hit you like a wrecking ball (think the depravity of Nattefrost or the savagery of Romania’s Satanochio), they’re emotional and express an idea, but instead of rhythm and harmony, they’re far more experimental. They’re more noise than melody, bleeding rebellion and one could even say they’re anti-music. German experimental black metal band Vom Fetisch der Unbeirrtheit (V.F.d.U) have left me pondering the above questions with their new release Vertilger.” Unpalatable anti-music passing as fine art? Only at AMG! Follow along as Madam X explores some funky, experimental blackness.

Echtra – Sky Burial Review

By Natalie Zed on March 29, 2013 in 2013, 3.5, American Metal, Black Metal, Folk Metal, Reviews, Temple of Tortorous Records, Black Metal, Folk Metal, 0 comments

“Sky Burial is the third-full length album from atmospheric black metal/folk/drone group Echtra, who hail from Olympia, Washington. The record, which is composed of two twenty-three minute tracks entitles “Sky Burial I” and “Sky Burial II,” forms the first instalment of a conceived trilogy of albums entitled The Passage Cycle. Each of these three records will deal with “sloughing off the mortal coil” in some way, and the transition from one state of being to the next. Echtra is a solo project, all elements performed by the eponymous multi-instrumentalist, though Echtra is joined by guest musicians for rare live performances.” Can you ignore a one-man, folksy black metal project from the Great Northwest? You Echtra ass you can’t! Natalie Zed explains why this is worth your precious time.

Total Negation – Zur späten Stunde | Zeiträume Review

By Noctus on March 14, 2013 in 2.5, 2013, Black Metal, German Metal, Reviews, Temple of Tortorous Records, Uncategorized, Black Metal, 3 comments

“With a project name like Total Negation, it’s very difficult to be mistaken when it comes to what you’re in for. More or less taking the feeling of being pessimistic and forming it into a sound would be a start, as far as descriptors go. Total Negation is a German black metal project that takes every feeling of despair and discontent and forms it into a distant, almost apathetic sound. What Total Negation do is very differently from other similar bands taking black metal in a more depressive route – think Xasthur or perhaps even Spektr for example.” Join Noctus as he dives into the evil white cube that is Total Negation.