Esoteric

Pyreficativm – संसार का पथ Review

By Mark Z. on August 13, 2018 in 2018, Ambient Metal, Black Metal, Chilean Metal, Living Temple Records, Reviews, Ambient Metal, Black Metal, 36 comments

“When it comes to our promo bin, the old adage holds true: the early bird gets the worm, the late bird gets the obscure Chilean black metal album with the unpronounceable name. Seriously, what the fuck is all that squiggly shit? Google tells me it’s Hindu for ‘world path,’ which makes sense given that Pyreficativm’s sole member Melek R. N. accompanied this album with a lengthy promo blurb containing several references to Eastern mysticism (amidst a torrent of other philosophical gibberish). After seeing he also referred to this debut as a ‘vehicle and ritualistic vessel,’ my pretense sensors went off the charts. Suddenly I feel like I’ve stumbled upon a South American version of Vardan that Enjoys ov Deep Soma.” I am become daft.

Ill Omen – Æ.Thy.Rift Review

By Mark Z. on March 17, 2016 in 2016, Australian Metal, Black Metal, Doom Metal, Nuclear War Now! Productions, Reviews, Black Metal, Doom Metal, 20 comments

“Sometimes the right setting is everything for a metal album. Fortunately for myself, through a pretty atypical series of life events I’ve had the opportunity to enjoy several records in environments that bring out their absolute best. I’ve listened to Ahab while snuggled below decks on a three-masted barque sailing in the North Atlantic, I’ve listened to Wolves in the Throne Room while hiking the lush forests of the Pacific Northwest, I’ve listened to Baroness while cruising through the humid towns of southeastern America, and I’ve listened to The Acacia Strain while cleaning my toilet. But Æ.Thy.Rift, the third album from Australian one-man black metal project Ill Omen, isn’t one of those albums that just benefits from a proper listening environment – it demands one.” So…give it up!

Indesinence – III Review

By Grymm on July 19, 2015 in 2015, Doom Metal, English Metal, Profound Lore Records, Reviews, Doom Metal, 20 comments

“Whenever I say the words “endurance test,” what does that do to you, dear reader? Do you think of 26.2 mile marathons across metropolises like Boston, or even out in the barren sticks of Arizona? Do they bring back memories of reading books like War & Peace in the time span of a few days, in hopes that the book report will somehow miraculously score higher than the “C” you earned due to poor planning?” I think of sitting through any late period Metallica album.

Encoffination – III-Hear Me O’ Death (Sing Thou Wretched Choirs) Review

By Mark Z. on October 18, 2014 in 2014, American Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Reviews, Selfmadegod Records, Death Metal, Doom Metal, 1 comment

“It’s no surprise death is such a common theme in metal. Whether through global religious institutions or personal musings on mortality, it’s something we struggle with both individually and as a society, a looming black unknown that begs questions about what happens when we pass on. Encoffination, however, do not ponder questions of life and death. Instead, the duo work within the mausoleum of extreme doom metal to embrace death head-on….” Death is as death does.

Landskap – I Review

By Grymm on May 4, 2014 in 2014, Doom Metal, English Metal, Iron Bonehead Productions, Reviews, Doom Metal, 5 comments

“‘There.’ That one word can describe a place of interest. It could be a home you grew up in, a pub you frequent, or a restaurant you and your family or friends enjoy eating at. ‘There’ can also be used as a point of indication in a role, such as ‘I was there to purchase cat food while making evil grimaces and throwing up invisible oranges at the cashier lady.’ What is the point of all this, you may ask?” Oh shit, ain’t that a cliffhanger!?

Lycus – Tempest Review

By Noctus on July 3, 2013 in 2.5, 2013, American Metal, Doom Metal, Reviews, Doom Metal, 13 comments

“Question: Where on earth is the good doom metal this year? No, seriously. The last few years have all been such strong years for doom and this year simply isn’t stepping up to the mark. With the new Moss album being the equivalent of someone taking a shit in the bong, and the new My Dying Bride being good but pretty passable, it’s pretty depressing to think that they’re the two most prominent releases this year…” Noctus wants some good doom and feels he hasn’t been getting his fair share in 2013. Can Lycus give him what he needs or will he continue to feel neglected?