1914

Antrisch – EXPEDITION II: Die Passage [Things You Might Have Missed 2023]

By Carcharodon on December 13, 2023 in Things You Might Have Missed 2023, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, 48 comments

“Back in April—practically a lifetime ago—I interviewed Noise of Kanonenfieber, Leiþa and Non Est Deus fame. Ever the professional, I shamelessly used it as an opportunity to fish for album recommendations for my own enjoyment. In my defense, I did at least deign to share some of them with you ungrateful swine. Unsurprisingly, all of Noise’s recommendations were solid but there was one that really got its frozen claws into me, Würzburg, Germany’s Antrisch and their second record, EXPEDITION II: Die Passage.” In cold blood.

Just Before Dawn – A War Too Far Review

By Steel Druhm on September 26, 2023 in Reviews, Death Metal, 34 comments

“Swedish war mongers Just Before Dawn are back once again to weave bloody tales of man’s inhumanity to man through their tried-and-true variant of doomy death metal. The Bolt Thower influences are never far from their chosen sound and style and after four full-lengths and several EPs, including last year’s Battle-Sight Zeroing, Just Before Dawn have done all they could to fill the massive crater left by the beloved U.K. fighting unit and battle buddies Hail of Bullets.” War is forever.

Scalpture – Feldwärts [Things You Might Have Missed 2022]

By Kenstrosity on December 15, 2022 in Things You Might Have Missed 2022, Death Metal, Hardcore, 42 comments

“Hailing from the Bielefeld region of Germany, the quintet specialize in the historical record of military conflict as their lyrical focus, with this newest opus detailing scenes from World War I. Keeping that in mind, you wouldn’t expect the record to be what you’d call “fun.” Except, Feldwärts is massively, addictingly fun.” WAR ARTS!!

Graceless – Chants from Purgatory Review

By Holdeneye on October 3, 2022 in Reviews, Death Metal, 49 comments

Earlier this year, I talked about the void left behind in Bolt Thrower’s absence. I mentioned a few bands who are successfully filling a bit of said void by name and alluded to a few more. The Netherlands’ Graceless is one of the latter. Back in 2020, they stormed my gates, dropping one of my favorite death metal platters of that year and earning a spot on my Honorable Mention roster with Where Vultures Know Your Name. They did so not by innovating the genre or adding some new twist to an already tried-and-true formula. Nope. They did it by faithfully executing the type of meathead death metal that adds pounds (or kilos) to the barbell and hair to the chest.” Grace and disgrace.

Hussar – All-Consuming Hunger Review

By Ferox on September 30, 2022 in Reviews, Death Metal, 20 comments

“The tactics for this campaign are tried and true. These songs explore the horror of warfare from the perspective of a foot soldier who’s grist for the mill, or a relative back home who lost a loved one and gained nothing of consequence in return. Thematically, this platter lives closer to 1914 than it does Sabaton.” Dead horses and live warfare.

Into the Obscure: Sacriphyx – The Western Front

By Saunders on June 10, 2022 in Into the Obscure, Death Metal, Doom Metal, 22 comments

“We all have our dirty metal secrets that we selfishly keep to ourselves, only sharing with a select few close to us. Or alternatively, we incessantly talk up underground gems and spread the gospel to anyone that will listen, as we cherish our slice of underground cred. Into the Obscure aims to right the wrongs and unearth the artists/albums that for whatever unjust reason didn’t get the exposure, appreciation or credit they sorely deserved the first time round.” War is Hell.

Grand Harvest – Consummatum Est Review

By Holdeneye on March 25, 2022 in Reviews, Death Metal, Doom Metal, 74 comments

“Ostensibly labeled as “death-doom,” Grand Harvest plays a powerful mixture of styles that includes but transcends such a label. Each of the record’s eight proper tracks displays its own unique personality while still fitting nicely within the band’s core sound. Combining the rhythmic barbarism of Bolt Thrower or Asphyx with the introspective atmospheric black metal of a band like Eneferens, Grand Harvest is able to convey their esoteric message while covering a wide swath of emotional territory.” Harvesting of sorrows