Feb23

Ulthar – Helionomicon Review

By El Cuervo on February 16, 2023 in Reviews, Black Metal, Death Metal, 33 comments

“I’ve written already about Ulthar and their ambitious attempt to overturn norms by releasing 2 separate but related albums concurrently. Anthronomicon offers a death metal tour de force, bending surprisingly sophisticated songwriting and exemplary riffs into an oppressive but imaginative album. Helionomicon, however, goes even further. It’s described on its one sheet as a “psycho-cerebral spectacle,” indicating its grand designs and contemplative approach. And all of this across just two 20-minute tracks.” A-lotonomicom.

Ulthar – Anthronomicon Review

By El Cuervo on February 16, 2023 in Reviews, Black Metal, Death Metal, 65 comments

“Ulthar represent one of the strongest ascents in death metal that I can think of. Their debut was a sloppy and unrefined affair but their sophomore was a precise, punishing powerhouse. Many modern metal bands operate on a 3-year album cycle with Ulthar’s announcement of a new record in 2023 not being particularly surprising. What was surprising, however, was that they announced two albums. Not a double album; rather, two concurrent releases following an apparent overflow of creativity during the last couple of years. While this sounds like a recipe for an uninspired disaster, their immense quality on the last record meant I withheld pre-judgment. First, Anthronomicon.” Double the pressure.

Lüger – Revelations of the Sacred Skull Review

By Crispy Hooligan on February 15, 2023 in Reviews, Black Metal, Speed Metal, 14 comments

“Montreal moshers Lüger have certainly taken their time crafting their follow-up to their 2018 debut, Hellraisers of the Waste. Such a long gestation between first and second albums often brings dark portents—with the infrequent exceptionally brilliant album. What such a gap most rarely brings is mediocrity. Revelations of the Sacred Skull squarely takes aim at Crispy’s heart with its blend of punk, trad, and doom, wrapped together in a delightfully sordid smut package.” Dead shot or major misfire?

Siege of Power – This is Tomorrow Review

By Steel Druhm on February 15, 2023 in Reviews, Death Metal, 26 comments

“A death metal supergroup featuring members of Autopsy, Asphyx, and Hail of Bullets floating in the promo bin unguarded? I best grab that one for safekeeping! And so Steel didith claim the sophomore outing by Siege of Power. While their debut was a very uneven affair without truly memorable moments, what these super fiends opted to do on This is Tomorrow is much more interesting. There’s still a punky crossover vibe to some of the material, but there’s also a greater willingness to cross-pollinate genres and explore different soundscapes, making for a surprisingly diverse set of tunes.” Siege perilous.

Bosco Sacro – Gem Review

By Dear Hollow on February 15, 2023 in Reviews, Ambient Metal, Doom Metal, Drone, 7 comments

“Bosco Sacro is an Italian quartet whose style is unclear, ranging from doom to trip-hop to psychedelic, with drone, post-rock, and of course, ambient tied in there. For their debut, expect lush atmosphere, dark distorted bass, and Giulia Parin Zecchin’s formidable vocal performance, ranging from post-punk slurs to soprano siren croons, recalling the duality of This Is Oblivion’s Lulu Black.” Sacro blue.

Fredlös – Fredlös Review

By Maddog on February 14, 2023 in Reviews, Black Metal, Doom Metal, Folk, Folk Metal, 16 comments

“The medieval hellscape on Fredlös’ cover caught my eye at once. The scene would be peaceful and pastoral, if not for the gruesome executions, the demon, and the burning buildings. Then I noticed the dancing skeletons, the shallow graves, the corpses on the border, the apocalyptic background, and the skull and crossbones; there isn’t a glimmer of hope anywhere. Intrigued, I dug deeper. Fredlös is a side project of Entombed’s Alex Hellid, and the band’s debut attempts to narrate the late Middle Ages with a mix of folk elements and metal. The music matches the cover art to a T.” The dark rages.

Sanguisugabogg – Homicidal Ecstasy Review

By Felagund on February 14, 2023 in Reviews, Death Metal, 106 comments

“I first discovered the deliciously wretched Sanguisugabogg, not on the pages of this blog, but thanks instead to The Algorithm ™. There I was, click-clacking away to the dulcet tones of death metal, when my ears perked up. What was this? Why, none other than the opener of the ‘Bogg’s first full-length album, Tortured Whole. I was immediately taken by their 2021 debut, and I spun that (very) bad boy many times, taken as I was by its grimy groove, brutal efficiency and the vast amounts of fun these low lives are clearly having as they squeal their way through such a pungent platter. Now here I sit, two years later, with their follow-up Homicidal Ecstasy grasped firmly in my muck-encrusted mockery of a hand.” Bogg standard.

Deviser – Evil Summons Evil Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on February 14, 2023 in Reviews, Melodic Black Metal, 26 comments

“After exploring the band’s catalog, I’m rather impressed with their ’90s classics, Unspeakable Cults and Transmission to Chaos. Their mid-paced approach to songwriting and clever use of keys and atmospheres have me returning to Transmission to Chaos a lot. Again, while there are similarities to Rotting Christ in the songwriting (specifically the pace of the songs), Deviser was able to carve a place for themselves in the genre. But, as we’ve seen with so many bands in this class, the need to up their game in the symphonic side took hold. The result was two albums that under-delivered and left me cold inside. With Evil Summons Evil, the tries to recapture the days of yore while utilizing today’s modern production and punch.” DeviserER!

Veilcaste – Precipice Review

By Kenstrosity on February 13, 2023 in Reviews, Doom Metal, Sludge, Stoner Metal, 6 comments

“Alright, here’s a puzzler for you. Indianapolis sludge metal band Conjurer released their first full-length Old World Ritual in 2015. Then, in 2019, follow-up Sigils dropped. In 2020, Conjurer chose to swap names, now operating under the moniker Veilcaste. Same band members and everything. As Veilcaste, their first release listed is, naturally, Old World Ritual, dated 2015. That’s fine, people rebrand their older albums all the time. Anyway, back to business. Veilcaste play a lumbering, ponderous sort of stoner sludge doom with little in the way of frills or other decoration.” Sludge by any name…

Hellripper – Warlocks Grim & Withered Hags Review

By El Cuervo on February 13, 2023 in Reviews, Black Metal, Speed Metal, Thrash Metal, 40 comments

“In a crowded market of goat suppliers in the metal scene, Scotland’s Hellripper stands above the mob. Their infectious blend of speed/thrash/black metal offered me a lifeline back into a thrash scene that was boring me in the 2010s. 2020’s The Affair of the Poisons was a typically rambunctious affair and very comfortably hit my year-end list. But I have most recently been experiencing the company of Warlocks Grim & Withered Hags which reaches even further north towards Orkney, an archipelago north of the Scottish mainland.” Put a goat in your moat.