Jul23

A Dark Halo – Omnibus One Review

By Itchymenace on July 23, 2023 in Reviews, Electronic Metal, Nu Metal, 38 comments

“What is cyber metal? That’s the question that I got stuck on as I was snorkeling through the dregs of the promo bin and came across A Dark Halo’s sophomore album, Omnibus One. I had never heard of this band (billed as cyber metal) before but maybe they were all robots or some sick shit like that. A quick scan of the liner notes further whetted my curiosity with mention of “a fierce display of ludicrously heavy guitars.” Since I love anything that’s ludicrous and I love heavy guitar, it seemed like I had found a golden nugget in a sea of turds.” Cyber warriors.

Eternal Rot – Moribound Review

By Steel Druhm on July 21, 2023 in Reviews, Death Metal, Doom Metal, 28 comments

“Eternal Rot are new to me but they’ve been slowly honing a truly repulsive death-doom sounds since way back in 2013. With two albums (that are really more like EPs) to their credit, this English/Polish collective took great pains to create some of the wettest, more caustic sewage spew out there. Third platter Moribound keeps the putrid times going with grisly, grotesque sub-sub-basement level filth suitable for a mass grave or Super Fund site.” Stepping in a rotpile.

Somnuri – Desiderium Review

By Cherd on July 21, 2023 in Reviews, Hardcore, Sludge, 44 comments

“Those familiar with Somnuri’s previous work can expect a similar Cobb salad of influences from early Mastodon to Helmet to savage NYHC. Somnuri and Nefarious Wave occasionally added passages of straight sludge doom in the vein of YOB, and the removal of these marks the largest shift in sound evident in Desiderium.” Sludge as a lifestyle choice?

The Zenith Passage – Datalysium Review

By Dolphin Whisperer on July 21, 2023 in Reviews, Death Metal, Progressive Metal, Technical Death Metal, 48 comments

“The Zenith Passage’s debut effort Solipsist crackled with a flame stoked by the identity that The Faceless set ablaze with dry and percussive pick spittings, alien-warble soloing, and sneakily grooving rhythm, but it wasn’t all so cut from the same cloth. Main mind McKinney even then seemed to have thoughts a touch more mechanical firing in his brain chamber.” Man vs. machine.

Aetherian – At Storm’s Edge Review

By GardensTale on July 20, 2023 in Reviews, Melodic Death Metal, 49 comments

“Aetherian is young in the sense that this is but their second album, but they’ve been at it for almost a decade now. It has taken the band 6 years to craft a follow-up to their debut. Has the time investment paid off, or is there a sophomore slump after all?” At the bleeding edge of brilliance.

Gateway – Galgendood Review

By Grymm on July 20, 2023 in Reviews, Death Metal, Doom Metal, 12 comments

“I greatly like Gateway’s vibe on the project’s second full-length, Galgendood. That murky, disgusting, viscous feel that one compares to the questionable liquid running out of a pierced trash bag is a tough thing to replicate. Sure, bands like Coffins and Sepulcros make that shit look like cake, but one small fuck-up and the whole thing goes to pot.” Gateways to goop.

Outer Heaven – Infinite Psychic Depths Review

By Kenstrosity on July 19, 2023 in Reviews, Death Metal, 62 comments

“Most of us wouldn’t expect a grimy death metal band like Pennsylvania’s Outer Heaven to put a ton of thought into story. Nonetheless, Outer Heaven crafted an in-depth background from which their sophomore full-length Infinite Psychic Depths spawns.” Story Hour in Hell.

Mizmor – Prosaic Review

By Carcharodon on July 18, 2023 in Reviews, Black Metal, Drone, 39 comments

“Lacking imagination or originality is not a charge that I have seen directed at Mizmor, and certainly Prosaic launches out of the blocks in an onslaught of blackened doom, with even some sludgy nods thrown in. Fast, bludgeoning, and furious, initially it feels like a cleaner version of Mizmor’s self-titled debut, with more than a bit of Yellow Eyes and Primitive Man thrown into the mix.” Mizmor or Mizless?

Eternity – Mundicide Review

By El Cuervo on July 18, 2023 in Reviews, Black Metal, 24 comments

“I invite you to observe the album artwork for Eternity’s third record, Mundicide. I was immediately struck by its painfully and laughably literal depiction of humanity’s interaction with its planet, especially with the cute little arms physically sticking out the earth. In fact, it was for the reason of the art that one of my esteemed colleagues chose this record for my review. Eternity proffer Norwegian black metal with roots intertwined with black metal’s innovators,” Malaise is kvlt.

Fen – Monuments to Absence Review

By Cherd on July 17, 2023 in Reviews, Black Metal, 66 comments

“Most 70-minute albums don’t justify their own existence. In the past, UK band Fen have both succeeded and failed at that task. Doom_Et_Al fanboi’d all over hour-long The Dead Light while elegant Lady of the Night Madam X found the 75-minute Winter entirely too much Fen. The atmoblack outfit now return with the 68-minute Monuments to Absence.” Everlong?