Hostile Media

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.

Grim Ravine – It’s a Long Way Down, to Where You Are Review

By Kenstrosity on April 1, 2020 in 2020, British Metal, Doom Metal, Hostile Media, Reviews, United Kingdom Metal, Doom Metal, 9 comments

“Information on Grim Ravine is minimal, but so is their discography. One EP, one full-length that’s as long as your average doom EP, and this sophomore outing. All firmly entrench themselves in doom defined by waves of blackened froth across a sea of subaqueous riffs.” Trench waterfare.

Ketos – First Strike Review

By Kronos on April 26, 2019 in 2019, Hostile Media, Irish Metal, Metalcore, Reviews, Metalcore, 30 comments

“With that technicolor cover and macho album title, First Strike makes its presence and intentions clear from the get go. Or so you’d think, but you’d be wrong—this is a melodic thrash metal band we’re talking about here. If you never liked and never will like, uh, “melodic thrash metal,” Ketos won’t change your mind on the subject and you can feel free to scroll right down to the comments and tell everybody to listen to some vomit-inducing folk-power-black album on bandcamp. It’s your loss, since First Strike is a great example of “melodic thrash metal” passing both the taste test and sniff test—it’s a good album from a band with some serious chops.” Keto friendly.

Rabid Bitch of the North – Nothing but a Bitter Taste Review

By Huck N Roll on August 21, 2017 in 2017, Heavy Metal, Hostile Media, Irish Metal, NWOBHM, Reviews, Heavy Metal, NWOBHM, 46 comments

“Come on, with a name like that can you blame me for grabbing this band’s album? It’s the equivalent of promotional clickbait. Crazy band name, goofy album title, and even goofier band picture, all topped off with the fact that the band consider themselves purveyors of the NWOBHM (despite the fact that this is really their debut album). It all adds up to something that, if Steel wasn’t already double-dipping this week in the review pool, he would have grabbed for sure. Which means I get his sloppy seconds.” The bitter taste of rabies.

Rex Shachath – Sepulchral Torment Review

By Alex Franquelli on September 11, 2012 in 2.0, 2012, Death Metal, Reviews, Death Metal, 1 comment

A band with no past is not necessarily a band without a future. But a band which doesn’t look at the future is surely one which lives in the past. With regards to the present, if you title your album Sepulchral Torment and you play old-school death metal, well, there is apparently not much to be said. Rex Shachath is a band with a good hand playing an old game not many people appreciate anymore, but it does it with style and you can’t help but recognise it.