Oct19

Galneryus – Into the Purgatory Review

By Eldritch Elitist on October 22, 2019 in 2019, Japanese Metal, Power Metal, Reviews, Warner Music Japan, Power Metal, 61 comments

“Galneryus is my favorite power metal band. Hell, they might just be my favorite metal band, period. I can’t call myself a ravenous fan of many artists, but Galneryus’ enormous catalog of righteous Japanese power metal has me foaming at the mouth every time the band so much as hints that they’re entertaining the thought of a new record. The fact that I consider 2017’s Ultimate Sacrifice a low point of their career, yet still felt confident in giving it an honorable mention slot on that year’s list, should say something for their consistency.” Land of the rising fun.

Vastum – Orificial Purge Review

By Holdeneye on October 22, 2019 in 20 Buck Spin, 2019, American Metal, Death Metal, Reviews, Death Metal, 14 comments

“Hole Below used some atmospheric elements and varied tempos to craft a terrifying experience that never once let up, and while Vastum 2019 incorporates bits and pieces of those elements, Orificial Purge settles mostly into mid-paced death metal territory. Combine the lumbering sections of Incantation mixed with Bolt Thrower heft, and you can imagine what 90% of this record sounds like.” Another day at the orifice.

Black Mastiff – Loser Delusions Review

By Huck N Roll on October 21, 2019 in 2019, Canadian Metal, Grand Hand Records, Reviews, Stoner Metal, Stoner Rock, Stoner Metal, Stoner Rock, 8 comments

“Well, they’re back with a new album on their own label, looking to recapture the magic that had John Garcia intrigued. Can these northern Canadian boys dial into the desert rock sound, or will this be more like winter metal on the prairies?” Desert snow.

Xoth – Interdimensional Invocations Review

By Akerblogger on October 21, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, Black Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, 56 comments

“As if out of nowhere the mangled title Interdimensional Invocations emerged from another dimension. Now, a second release is here. Can Xoth weave their multidimensional magic once again, or is this destined to spend an eternity in the scrap heap?” Xoth the way we like it.

Shrine of Insanabilis – Vast Vortex Litanies Review

By Grymm on October 21, 2019 in 2019, Black Metal, German Metal, Reviews, World Terror Committee, Black Metal, 7 comments

“This year, I learned that anonymity can only carry you so far in life. Ask Mr. Tobias Forge or either of the two proposed leaders from two of the bazillion Batushkas out there how that all panned out in the end, at least in terms of legal issues. And since their debut album, 2015’s impressive-if-repetitive Disciples of the Void, we’ve learned that Shrine of Insanabilis are German, and that their drummer, Serpenth, also played in Acherontas. Ah, well, so much for mystery.” He would have gotten away with it too, if it wasn’t for you meddling kids.

Ethereal Kingdoms – Hollow Mirror Review

By Twelve on October 20, 2019 in 2019, Danish Metal, Mighty Music, Reviews, Symphonic Metal, Symphonic Metal, 22 comments

“Every once in a while, I’m put in a position where I have to explain to some wide-eyed innocent how it could possibly be that I don’t care much for Nightwish. The only reason this happens, mind you, is because of the band’s undying popularity and colossal influence in their genre. My problem? I like symphonic in my metal. But I don’t like the band that everyone seems to copy to get there. So why would I pick up Hollow Mirror, the debut full-length from Danish band Ethereal Kingdom?” Wishing for the night.

Rimfrost – Expedition: Darkness Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on October 19, 2019 in 2019, Black Metal, Ferocious Records, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Black Metal, 110 comments

“Though every one of the band’s records is a pleasure to listen to, Rimfrost is the result of years of honing one’s sound to achieve near-perfection. It is, without a doubt, the high-water mark of the band’s career. It’s I, it’s Bathory, and it’s Immortal at their best. It’s big, it’s full, and it’s goddamn epic. There’re incredible riffs, blazing solos, melodic passages, and so many memorable moments. Which spells doom for Expedition: Darkness. How can one ever top their pinnacle release? The answer is: most can’t. But Rimfrost did.” Here be the gushing.

Aegrus – In Manus Satanas Review

By Doom_et_Al on October 19, 2019 in 2019, Black Metal, Finnish Metal, Reviews, Saturnal Records, Black Metal, 6 comments

“The AMG taskmasters are an unforgiving lot. Missed deadlines result in extra latrine duty, or occasionally banishment to the Skull Pit. But sometimes, missed deadlines (and the grumpy glare of the frequently-disappointed ape who doubles as my editor) are worth it because not all albums can be fully digested in a week. Or even a month. Some take their sweet time to fully reveal their secrets, and patience is key. Aegrus’s latest effort, In Manus Satanas, is a great example of this.” Patience is great. Lateness is not.

Crepuscle – Heavenly Skies Review

By Eldritch Elitist on October 18, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, Creator-Destructor Records, Melodic Death Metal, Reviews, Melodic Death Metal, 20 comments

“With scant few acts from the golden era of Finnish melodic death metal living up to their former glitter and gusto, the torch has been unwittingly passed across state lines. From Æther Realm to Aephanemer, the kids who grew up worshiping at the altars of Ensiferum, Children of Bodom, and scores of others are now handily matching the quality of their influences. California’s Crepuscle is no exception.” The American way.

Merda Mundi – Hatred Review

By Cherd on October 18, 2019 in 2019, Belgian Metal, Black Metal, Malpermesita Records, Reviews, Black Metal, 45 comments

“Even if readers are not familiar with Merda Mundi’s brand of chaotic raw black metal, they will likely be acquainted with its lone band member Déhà, Belgium’s hardest working metal musician. Among his—I’m gonna go with thousands of—other projects, he is also the lone or primary member of post-black project Déhà and funeral doom band Slow, both of which have been covered—by which I mean sprayed with Muppet juice—on this here site. But if those projects represent Déhà’s ego and superego, Merda Mundi is his raging id.” Hatred now!