Mar20

Rämlord – From Dark Waters Review

By Steel Druhm on March 30, 2020 in 2020, Finnish Metal, Heavy Metal, Inverse Records, Reviews, Heavy Metal, 18 comments

“No one expects the Rämlord, nor should they. Formed by members of such wildly diverse acts as Impaled Nazarene, Legenda, and National Napalm Syndicate, Rämlord is a strange new act purpose-built to defy genre boundaries as they explore classic metal styles. On their debut, From Dark Waters they attempt a near herculean amount of genre hoping, dragging in influences from goth rock, hair metal, hard rock, 80s radio rock and a few other odds and sods along the bumpy journey they fashion for the unsuspecting listener.” Rämming speed!

Velnias – Scion of Aether Review

By Doom_et_Al on March 30, 2020 in 2020, American Metal, Doom Metal, Eisenwald Records, Post-metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Doom Metal, Post-Metal, Progressive Metal, 30 comments

“Oppressive Rocky Mountain Dirge.” That is the descriptor Velnias uses to describe its music. Sounding more like the slop at the bottom of a bucket than something you would want to spend your time listening to, it nevertheless proves that occasionally we all need to update our bios. While “dirge” may have been Velnias’s original aesthetic when it released its debut, Sovereign Nocturnal, in 2008, the band’s output has evolved considerably since then to incorporate an array of new and different influences. Now it’s back with its third album, Scion of Aether.” Dirge purge.

Demonic Death Judge – The Trail Review

By Dear Hollow on March 30, 2020 in 2020, Doom Metal, Finnish Metal, Groove Metal, Reviews, Sludge Metal, Stoner Metal, Stoner Rock, Suicide Records, Folk, Groove Metal, Sludge Metal, Stoner Metal, 7 comments

“The fantastically named Demonic Death Judge is a sludge/stoner quartet from Kymenlaakso, Finland, having released two EPs and three full-lengths of plodding and hazy dirges since 2009, The Trail being their fourth. Their first two full-lengths were nearly identical to Louisianan Thou’s gloomy sludge affairs, pitching molasses-thick riffs, blackened rasps, and decidedly bleak themes.” The path unbakened.

Membaris – Misanthrosophie Review

By Carcharodon on March 29, 2020 in 2020, Black Metal, German Metal, Reviews, World Terror Committee, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, Melodic Black Metal, 42 comments

“I am worried. I find myself in the midst of an unfamiliar situation that I am not sure I am equipped to handle. I am not talking about the global pandemic—I know I am not equipped to handle that. No, the situation I am talking about is that I am staring down the barrel of awarding another 4.0. You need to understand that, when March began, I had awarded a total of three 4.0s across my whole time at AMG. Now, I am very seriously considering awarding a third this fucking month!” The struggle is real.

Wardaemonic – Acts of Repentance Review

By Eldritch Elitist on March 28, 2020 in 2020, Australian Metal, Black Metal, Reviews, Transcending Obscurity, Black Metal, 15 comments

“Length alone does not a smart song make. Anyone can throw a dozen disparate riffs together without rhyme or reason under the pretense of progressive songwriting. That’s what’s kind of amazing about Wardaemonic’s fourth LP, Acts of Repentance. These songs aren’t necessarily clever, but what they lack in songwriting tact is made up for by a dense, captivating atmosphere.” Repentance, then war.

Amnutseba – Emanatism Review

By Dear Hollow on March 27, 2020 in Black Metal, French Metal, Iron Bonehead Productions, Melodic Death Metal, Noise, Reviews, Black Metal, Melodic Death Metal, 22 comments

“Amnutseba is a “lacerating ‘n labyrinthine” black metal group from Paris. After releasing a couple demos, re-released in vinyl as compilation I-VI, they reemerge to release Emanatism, a devastating tour-de-force packed to the brim with noisy ideas. What separates it from any other Deathspell Omega– and Satan-worshiper? It is, in a word, unhinged.” Midnight in Paris.

Temple of Void – The World That Was Review

By Ferrous Beuller on March 27, 2020 in 2020, American Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Reviews, Shadow Kingdom Records, Death Metal, Doom Metal, 69 comments

“Debut album Of Terror and the Supernatural was a killer compound of death-doom. But Lords of Death also began to incorporate traits that might be more familiar to Alice in Chains or even Pearl Jam. Now, The World That Was prepares to thunder into immediate proximity with the same weight but a clear shift in intent. Fear thee not, ye acolytes and thralls – monumental riffs still fill these halls. But, to quote the band, themselves: “your face is different, but we’ve met before…”” Killdozer or dozing off?

Enzo and the Glory Ensemble – In the Name of the World Spirit Review

By Twelve on March 27, 2020 in 2020, Italian Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Rockshots Records, Progressive Metal, 30 comments

“First off, I’d like to apologize if you can’t hear me too well. I’ve been instructed to shout over the anguished shrieks of the Master of Muppets, who’s having a tough time right now. You see, we’re gathered here today to review In the Name of the World Spirit, the third release from Enzo and the Glory Ensemble, the progressive metal project masterminded by Enzo Donnarumma (Members of God), which is a touch outside of the creature’s usual wheelhouse. But positive, progressive, slightly cheesy power metal is something that I happen to delight in, so here we are! Embracing the glory (ensemble).” Double Glory Awaits.

Lord Buffalo – Tohu Wa Bohu Review

By Cherd on March 26, 2020 in 2020, American Rock, Blues, Blues Funeral Recordings, Folk, Not Metal, Reviews, Rock, Folk, Not Metal, 22 comments

“Tohu Wa Bohu, a Hebrew phrase found in Genesis describing the Earth as “formless and empty” before the creation of light, is the second album from this Texan quartet, and it’s chock full of earthy darkness. First track “Raziel” creaks into the world sounding like a lost track from Nick Cave and Warren Ellis’ The Proposition soundtrack crossed with Low Estate era 16 Horsepower.” Lost in Americana.

Void of Sleep – Metaphora Review

By Saunders on March 26, 2020 in 2020, Aural Music, Doom Metal, Italian Metal, Progressive Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Reviews, Sludge, Stoner Metal, Doom Metal, Progressive Metal, Psychedelic Rock, Stoner Metal, 13 comments

“Italy’s Void of Sleep caught me by surprise with their excellent 2013 debut Tales Between Reality and Madness. Boasting a suave mix of sludge, stoner, doom and prog influences, Tales was a mighty first statement and addictive, refreshing album that firmly landed Void of Sleep in my sights as an exciting band on the rise. Sophomore album New World Order dropped in 2015 and found the band beefing up the prog and refining their sound. Though a solid album in its own right, it lacked some of the raw energy and penetrating hooks of the debut. Some five years later, Void of Sleep awaken from their slumber with third album, Metaphora, a highly anticipated release from my viewpoint.” Cuddling the void.