“This Belgian troupe make nothing original. They make nothing challenging. They make nothing to push their chosen genre to the next stage of evolution. Yet, they are an inspiring testimonial to the effectiveness of a tried-and-true formula perfected. The formula for Carnation comes from old school death metal, with the same vitriol and verve first put forth by early Entombed, Cannibal Corpse, and to some extent, the less progressive half of Death.” Instant deathfest.
The Record(s) o’ the Month for February are here, just in time for the apocalypse, and maybe even a bit late.
“Firebride is wed to nothing less than the almighty riff. Where Lightbringer swore fealty to doom tempos and a penchant for expansion, these elements have now been pressured into a stable compound with the kind of force that sunders flesh from bone.” Nice day for a charred wedding.
More lists for the list machine! The men who unwisely go by their real names, Mark Z. and L. Saunders boldly proclaim their best albums of 2018.
The top tens are marching, and Huck N’ Roll and Eldritch are ready to spread the gospel of good metal across the land. You wanted lists, you got lists!
Ferrous Beuller and GardensTale need to unburden themselves and share all their picks for the best of 2018. Be polite and sit quietly until they’re done, then you can go outside and get a cupcake.
“When W.B Yeats claimed “there are no strangers here, only friends you haven’t yet met,” I’m almost certain he was talking about Finnish death metal. Whenever I’m in need of a riff more monstrous than Shelley and vocals to cripple the craw, I can always rely on those Nordic ne’er-do-wells to deliver the goods. One such band, Black Royal, have been toiling amidst a clutch of EPs, preparing to release their debut, Lightbringer, which comes to me via sheer chance and my own unassailable taste.” Royalty is rotting.
