English Metal

Drakonis – Blessed by Embers Review

By Mark Z. on April 3, 2020 in 2020, Black Metal, Hostile Media, Reviews, United Kingdom Metal, Black Metal, 13 comments

“I’m getting too old for this shit. That was my initial thought after starting my third or fourth listen of Blessed by Embers, the debut album by U.K. black metal band Drakonis. Hailing from Northern Ireland, the group initially had some promising signs that drew me in. The promo blurb told of a band that had captivating live shows, a string of EPs that garnered positive reception, and a style that mixed black and death metal without falling neatly into any one genre (several members are also part of folk metal band Waylander, so they have some experience under their belts as well).” Olde and cranky.

Gaylord – Wings of the Joyful Review

By Doom_et_Al on March 18, 2020 in 2020, Black Metal, Blackened Death Records, English Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, 90 comments

“At its core, metal has always been about rebellion. About sticking it to the man, and society at large. About thumbing expectations and demands and just banging your fukkin’ head. But metal is also, for most, an irrelevant beast. In an era of Coronavirus and global warming, singing about Satan and wizards seems quaint at best, and ridiculous at worst. On top of that, metal is generally white. And male. And often not particularly kind to people who aren’t male and straight and white. Into this breach steps the provocatively named Gaylord, with its second LP, Wings of the Joyful.” Big tent metal.

Monolith – No Saints No Solace Review

By Saunders on March 9, 2020 in 2020, Deathcore, Djent, English Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Unsigned Bands, Deathcore, Djent, 6 comments

“My tolerance for the often maligned deathcore subgenre received a boost of newfound optimism on the back of stellar 2019 releases from scene heavyweights, Shadow of Intent and Fit for an Autopsy. Both bands demonstrated the sick grooves and punishing, over-the-top brutality and technical chops, reminding me of a time long ago where bands like All Shall Perish and early Despised Icon tore me a new one. Yet, more often than not the style falls flat to my jaded ears. Perhaps an unsigned UK deathcore outfit may not be the best choice to pull myself out of a writing rut, but I’ll be damned if I’m not ready to take the plunge and hope for minor miracles.” Deathcore blues.

Goblinsmoker – A Throne In Haze, A World Ablaze Review

By Cherd on February 4, 2020 in 2020, British Metal, Doom Metal, English Metal, Reviews, Sludge, Sludge Metal, Sludgelord Records, Stoner Metal, Doom Metal, Sludge, 39 comments

“Goblinsmoker’s Toad King began a narrative arc about amphibious forest dwellers who are served by a goblin underclass. A Throne In Haze… is the second installment of the planned trilogy. While fun, this story is superfluous, since the lyrics are sparse and delivered in an unintelligible blackened rasp. A Throne In Haze... is a trim 26 minutes over three songs, and it’s all riffs, baby.” Let them eat riffs.

Abyssal – A Beacon in the Husk [Things You Might Have Missed 2019]

By Dear Hollow on December 31, 2019 in 2019, Ambient, Black Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Drone, English Metal, Noise, Profound Lore Records, Reviews, Things You Might Have Missed 2019, Ambient, Black Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Noise, 25 comments

“Dissonant death metal is a polarizing style, one whose purposes are often unclear. While it encompasses a variety of interpretations, its beginnings in Immolation and Demilich can be summed up in its attempted balance of malice and menace. British death metal act Abyssal’s fourth full-length A Beacon in the Husk is the perfection of this balance: a sunless journey into the depths of the abyss, guided by its philosophical lyricism and patient dynamics.” Void tunes.

The EP, Split, and Single Post Part II [Things You Might Have Missed 2019]

By El Cuervo on December 24, 2019 in Ambient, American Metal, Black Metal, Canadian Metal, Death Metal, Deathcore, Doom Metal, English Metal, Heavy Metal, International Metal, Italian Metal, Scottish Metal, Spanish Metal, Synthwave, Technical Death Metal, Things You Might Have Missed 2019, Thrash Metal, Ambient, Black Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Heavy Metal, Post-Metal, Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock, Speed Metal, Synthwave, Technical Death Metal, Thrash Metal, 29 comments

Did you miss all the rest of the crucial EPs, splits and singles in 2019? We’ve got you covered again, broheim.

The EP, Split, and Single Post Part I [Things You Might Have Missed 2019]

By El Cuervo on December 23, 2019 in 2019, Ambient, American Metal, Belarusian Metal, Black Metal, Canadian Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, English Metal, Heavy Metal, Icelandic Metal, Polish Metal, Post-metal, Scottish Metal, Speed Metal, Synthwave, Technical Death Metal, Things You Might Have Missed, Things You Might Have Missed 2019, Thrash Metal, Ambient, Black Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Heavy Metal, Post-Metal, Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock, Speed Metal, Synthwave, Technical Death Metal, Thrash Metal, 41 comments

Did you miss some crucial EPs, splits and singles in 2019? We’ve got you covered, chumbo.

The River – Vessels into White Tides Review

By Steel Druhm on December 10, 2019 in 2019, Doom Metal, Drone, English Metal, Gothic Metal, Nine Records, Reviews, Doom Metal, Gothic Metal, 6 comments

“December is usually not the best time to go for a dip in the promo sump. Historically this is the month where we get deluged with re-releases and more low-fi basement black metal than a barrel full of Vardans could churn out in a fortnight. It takes a steady hand to reach into the brackish murk and pull out something promising, and fortunately, nothing is as steady as the iron hand ov Steel. That brings us to the new release by UK experimental Goth/doom act The River.” Follow The River.

Reign of Fury – Exorcise Reality [Things You Might Have Missed 2019]

By Dr. A.N. Grier on December 6, 2019 in 2019, English Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Things You Might Have Missed 2019, Thrash Metal, Thrash Metal, 12 comments

“I can’t believe it’s been four years since I first listened to Reign of Fury. For those of you that don’t remember, or weren’t alive during that time, Reign of Fury’s 2015 release, Death Be Thy Shepherd, was so good it landed atop my year-end list. As I read over the words I wrote long ago, three things are clear. First, I’m still a shitty writer. Second, boy, a lot has changed in what seemed like a perfect life for ole Grier. Third, Exorcise Reality is no Death Be Thy Shepherd, Part Deux.” Reality bites.

Fen – The Dead Light Review

By Doom_et_Al on December 4, 2019 in 2019, Black Metal, English Metal, Post-metal, Prophecy Productions, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, 56 comments

“The bleak and harsh Canadian Winter has drawn us into her icy bosom. Days are short, temperatures are lower than the last run of scores I’ve given, and rain and snow abound. It’s the perfect weather for the frosty kiss of good atmospheric black metal, and yet there has been a relative dearth recently. The English trio of Fen aim to change all that with their sixth release, The Dead Light.” Fen is coming.