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Maze of Sothoth – Extirpated Light Review

By Kenstrosity on March 21, 2023 in Reviews, Death Metal, Technical Death Metal, 54 comments

“Established in 2009, Maze of Sothoth toiled underground, swirling amongst eldritch soil devoid of all life, carefully awaiting their time to emerge. Emerge they did with a twisted debut, Soul Demise, in 2017. Reveling in a grimy, horrid tech death reminiscent of Origin and Kronos, Soul Demise showed great promise for the fledgling band, fast and vicious were its crooked tendrils. Six years later, Maze of Sothoth emerge again from the inky void with the even grimier Extirpated Light,” Tentacle whap, tendril slap.

Redemption – I Am the Storm Review

By Steel Druhm on March 17, 2023 in Reviews, Progressive Metal, 32 comments

“Call me olde and jaded, but I tend to be suspicious of bands that bear the “supergroup” imprimatur. Cautious though I may be, I’ve been a fan of Redemption since their launch way back in 2003. The brainchild of guitarist extraordinaire, Nicolas van Dyk, the project has benefitted from some exceptional frontmen over time, such as Rick Mythiasin (Steel Prophet, New Eden) and Ray Alder (Fates Warning, A-Z), and since 2018s Long Night’s Journey into Day, they’ve had Evergrey’s Tom Englund on the mic.” Forgiveness is more than saying sorry.

Treedeon – New World Hoarder Review

By Dear Hollow on March 16, 2023 in Reviews, Doom Metal, Noise, Sludge Metal, 10 comments

“Treedeon is a trio based in Berlin, having released two full-lengths since their inception in 2013. Consisting of former Ulme vocalist Arne Heesch, ex-Jingo de Lunch vocalist Yvonne Ducksworth, and drummer Andy Schünemann, Treedeon is a disciple of the NOLA sludge scene, with a filthy and caustic breed that recalls Eyehategod’s ten-ton blues and a density that conjures Thou.” If a tree falls in sludge, does it make an abrasive noise?

Omega Infinity – The Anticurrent Review

By Dear Hollow on March 4, 2023 in Reviews, Ambient, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, 15 comments

“The infinite expanse. Oceans above. Stars whose light is a glimpse into the ancient past. Physics. Astrophysics. Space: the Final Frontier. Space odysseys are great unless you’re beaten to death with a bone by your ape bud or gaslit by your own computer – super awkward. Plenty of black metal has ventured beyond the firmament for some ethereal goodness, but do any of them chronicle creation?” Omega men.

The Abbey – Word of Sin Review

By Maddog on February 20, 2023 in Reviews, Doom Metal, 26 comments

“The Abbey of Thelema was a commune in Sicily run by Aleister Crowley. Home to the wild hedonism and magick of his cult, the Abbey met its unceremonious end in 1923, when Crowley’s shenanigans convinced Mussolini to boot him out of Italy. Finnish psychedelic doom outfit The Abbey aims to carry on the Abbey’s legacy. ,b>The Abbey’s debut Word of Sin draws inspiration from occult organizations and their mystical practices.” Nuns DO have fun.

Dusk – Spectrums Review

By Cherd on February 17, 2023 in Reviews, Deathcore, Djent, Electronica Metal, Metalcore, 40 comments

“How I came to pen this review is kind of a funny story. Upon entering our promo pit and undergoing de-lousing, this record was tagged as death doom. Whether that was an honest mistake or something more nefarious is an ongoing discussion. The advance material does tout a guest spot by Jaani Peuhu, briefly a member of death doom luminaries Swallow the Sun (more on that later), but Steel has also openly admitted he sometimes lays promo traps for unsuspecting writers to unwittingly claim metalcore. Spectrums, the debut full-length by Saudi one-man band Dusk, has nary a hint of death doom. I’ll give you one guess what it is.” Traps in the glooming.

Häxanu – Totenpass Review

By Doom_et_Al on February 9, 2023 in Reviews, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, 31 comments

“In 2020, a very well-regarded black metal album generated some waves that… completely passed me by. That album was Snare of All Salvation by American black metallers Häxanu. For a debut, it was praised for its stargazing atmosphere melded with violent hysteria. The combination of multi-intrumentalist A.P. and vocalist L.C. appeared to have hit upon a winning formula which meant that a generous amount of buzz greeted the announcement of the follow-up, Totenpass. With influences and collaborations running the spectrum of black metal, and a cool early single, I was intrigued. Was a new USBM voice upon us?” Hype and tripe.

Black Water Sunset – Engraved Spectral Aeons Review

By Dolphin Whisperer on February 8, 2023 in Reviews, Death Metal, Melodic Death Metal, 30 comments

“Caught somewhere between a groovy progressive death summoning and a thrash-empowered melodeath drill, Black Water Sunset resurrects classic sounds in a tightly performed package, complete with a session drum appearance by veteran kit crusher George Kollias (Nile, ex-Contrarian).” Black Water and Parks Department.

Seum – Double Double Review

By Thus Spoke on February 3, 2023 in Reviews, Sludge Metal, Stoner Rock, 42 comments

“They say you should never judge a book by its cover, so I didn’t. Even though the cover of Seum’s sophomore Double Double set off alarm bells in my head concerning the quality and style of the music contained therein. But garish as the art is, it might be the best thing about the album. Seum’s brand of stoner-sludge here is (almost literally) one-note.” Double over.

Memoriam – Rise to Power Review

By Steel Druhm on February 2, 2023 in Reviews, Death Metal, 70 comments

“U.K. death metal “supergroup” Memoriam are considered by some to be the spiritual successor to the legendary Bolt Thrower. With Thrower’s former vocalist Karl Willetts at the helm and backed by Frank Healy of death luminaries Benediction, the pedigree is notable and the style they traffic in has clear similarities to Willett’s renowned former outfit. Despite the talent involved, I’ve never been awed by Memoriam’s output.” Battle fatigue.