Reviews

Dusk – Dissolve into Ash Review

Dusk – Dissolve into Ash Review

By Steel Druhm on December 8, 2023 in Reviews, Death Metal, Doom Metal, 18 comments

“Long, long ago (1995 to be exact), an unheralded Green Bay, Wisconsin act named Dusk threw their hat in the death-doom arena and dropped a short debut titled …Majestic Thou in Ruin. I stumbled upon it in a record store while in law school and bought it based entirely on its tranquil cover art. I was quite taken with what was inside too, and the band’s rough, raw, yet highly atmospheric style resonated deeply. Dusk walked the same morose and tortured territory as diSEMBOWELMENT, but they opted to stick closer to the doom side of things, at times almost venturing into early My Dying Bride / Anathema soundscapes.” Dusk and her replace.

Phobocosm – Foreordained Review

Phobocosm – Foreordained Review

By Steel Druhm on December 6, 2023 in Reviews, Death Metal, 44 comments

“Montreal’s mega-heavy death metal merchants Phobocosm have a distinguished track record here at AMG, scoring high marks both times they were featured. It’s been a long time since their last appearance for 2016s Bringer of Drought, which Lord Kronos himself blessed with a righteous 3.5. He appreciated their nods to Incantation and Ulcerate and the no-nonsense way they steamroll and crush the listener with grim atmospheres and a massively heavy sound. Not the most productive of acts, nearly 7 years have creaked by since then, but we’re finally poised to receive third album, Foreordained.” Fear of caverns.

Slow – Ab​î​mes I Review

Slow – Ab​î​mes I Review

By Kenstrosity on December 6, 2023 in Reviews, Death Doom, Doom Metal, Funeral Doom, 24 comments

“There was a time, not long ago, when I would’ve proclaimed myself an avid Slow fan. That was before I claimed the rights to cover the Belgian funeral doom duo’s ninth album, Ab​î​mes I. All this time, I had no idea Slow was so productive. In retrospect I don’t know why this surprised me, considering the prolific multi-instrumentalist Déhà is the project’s mastermind. Furthermore, I had no idea Slow spawned all the way back in 2007. My complete negligence regarding Slow’s origins and extensive back catalog qualifies me as the quintessential “false fan.” But rest assured, once I’m done with this write-up for Ab​î​mes I, I’m catching up post haste.” Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast.

Varathron – The Crimson Temple Review

Varathron – The Crimson Temple Review

By Doom_et_Al on December 5, 2023 in Reviews, Black Metal, 24 comments

““Always respect an old man still playing in a young man’s game,” the saying goes. “There’s a reason they’re still around.” With that in mind, it’s curious how little attention Greek black metal stalwarts, Varathon, generally receive. Formed 35 years ago in an era when many AMG staff had not been conceived, and Steel Druhm still had hair, Varathon were instrumental in establishing the famous “Hellenic black metal sound.”” Olden dogs still bite.

Helga – Wrapped in Mist Review

Helga – Wrapped in Mist Review

By Iceberg on December 5, 2023 in Reviews, Black Metal, Folk Metal, Post-Metal, 35 comments

“The term “shinrin-yoku,” or forest bathing, was coined in Japan in the early 1980s to describe a therapeutic practice both mental and physical. One can imagine this as a response to the relentless march of modern life that pulls our kind ever further from a connection to nature. Dissatisfied with this state of existence, Helga weaves forest-bathing deep into their debut album, Wrapped in Mist. Led by Helga Gabriel, this Swedish quintet looks to blend folk atmospheres, post-rock, and fleeting black metal into a potent and unique brand.” Thuggery and tree huggery.

Dwelling Below -Dwelling Below Review

Dwelling Below -Dwelling Below Review

By Thus Spoke on December 4, 2023 in Reviews, Death Doom, 15 comments

“I don’t know what exactly it is that’s Dwelling Below, but if it’s anything like whatever the cover art is depicting then I’m afraid. Beneath the surface, the music of this debut self-titled also lends itself to feelings of unease and apprehension. Formed from members of Acausal Intrusion, Hollowed Idols, and Sermon of Rot, Dwelling Below lurks in the dark and viscous slime of doomy blackened death.” Where the slime REALLY live.

Foetal Juice – Grotesque Review

Foetal Juice – Grotesque Review

By GardensTale on December 3, 2023 in Reviews, Death Metal, 10 comments

“Here at AMG we have a feature that runs every so often called Contrite Metal Guy. For those who’ve never seen one pass by, this is our take-backsies article, where we retroactively up or downgrade review scores with the benefit of hindsight. As they are infrequent and I’m rarely wrong, I haven’t participated in one yet, but I have been brooding over one entry I must someday make. I overrated Foetal Juice’s last album Gluttony, just a tad. It’s a very good album, but not a great one. It doesn’t have the memorability to give it sufficient longevity for a place among the hallowed 4.0s.” The Juice is looser.

Valdrin – Throne of the Lunar Soul Review

Valdrin – Throne of the Lunar Soul Review

By Holdeneye on December 2, 2023 in Reviews, Black Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Symphonic Metal, 46 comments

“Back in 2020, I heaped an enormous amount of praise upon Effigy of Nightmares, the third full-length album from Ohio’s Valdrin, and while that record constitutes the exceedingly rare occurrence where time tempers my initial enthusiasm (I’d probably bring it down to a 4.0 at this point), I still hold it in high regard. I was caught up not only by Valdrin’s melodic black metal songwriting ability but also by the band’s incredible brand of storytelling.” Lords of stories.