Self Released

Kill the King – Kill the King Review

By Saunders on November 8, 2023 in Reviews, Thrash Metal, 10 comments

“Emerging as an underdog in the budding Indian metal scene, upstart thrashers Kill the King come armed and ready to unleash a self-titled, self-released debut thrash platter. Formed in 2016, Kill the King have done the hard yards toiling in the underground, sharpening their tools in readiness for the five-piece outfit to put their skills to practice and rumble with the big dogs of the modern thrash scene. It certainly isn’t easy to stand out in the crowded field of modern thrash, a scene that splinters off into various offshoots such as retro thrash, blackened thrash, death-thrash and modern thrash territory.” Rabid Regicide.

Upir – Threads of Seiðr – Seeing Under Starlight Review

By Dear Hollow on October 14, 2023 in Reviews, Black Metal, Noise, 31 comments

“Calgary’s Upir dropped the absolutely and wonderfully noisemongering Effigy for the Fiercest Frost – Shadows Dance in the Fires of Yule, which achieved a meditative effect across two tracks in its blend of thick ambiance and raw black metal – landing as one of my biggest surprises of 2021. As another surprise, the enigmatic act dropped their first full-length proper out of nowhere.” Surprise bone call.

Essence of Datum – Radikal Rats Review

By Kenstrosity on October 5, 2023 in Reviews, Death Metal, Instrumental Metal, Post-Metal, Progressive Metal, Synthwave, Technical Death Metal, 32 comments

“Belarusian instrumental tech death duo Essence of Datum did what many have tried and failed to do: help me enjoy of deep instrumental metal. For me, there’s something missing in metal that lacks a vocal element. Part of that is surely rooted in the fact that I almost never listen to purely instrumental music anymore. Nonetheless, the core problem I encounter is that so little instrumental metal excites me, either because of fluffy songwriting with no real backbone, or because it’s simply an excuse for a solo artist to wank all over me without my consent. Not so with Essence of Datum or their last effort, Spellcrying Machine, which was a thoughtful, detailed, and compelling instrumental piece. Can its follow-up, the strange and wacky Radikal Rats, keep that trend running?” Rats in the tech.

Sanguine Glacialis – Maladaptive Daydreaming Review

By Kenstrosity on August 17, 2023 in Reviews, Black Metal, Death Metal, Gothic Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Progressive Metal, Symphonic Metal, 45 comments

“Before picking this promo up, I had never heard of Sanguine Glacialis before, but I quickly fell head over heels for their wild extreme metal after checking out the kaleidoscopic blunderbuss that is Hadopelagic, their 2018 sophomore record.” Tastis the Glacialis.

Vortex – The Future Remains in Oblivion Review

By Kenstrosity on June 6, 2023 in Reviews, Black Metal, Death Metal, Symphonic Metal, 14 comments

“There are three schools of symphonic extreme metal, generally speaking. You have neoclassical material, which aims to recreate the lush and delicate intricacies of classical music of a bygone era reinvigorated by a metallic influence. Then, there’s the cinematic blockbuster approach, where choirs and orchestral hits function as a source of grandiose drama and explosive scale. Finally, you have the oddball works of mad scientists who use orchestration as a tool primarily to create strange and uncomfortable music. Vortex fall under the second category.” A night at the Vortex.

Whythre – Impregnate My Hate Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on May 28, 2023 in Reviews, Melodic Death Metal, 30 comments

“Nothing against Whythre’s 2015 debut, Hel’s Hollow, but it’s shit. It’s slow, dull, and the vocals are just dreadful. To make matters worse, said vocals are all you can hear. It’s like being blissfully drunk, and then your wife yells at you for being such a loser. But it’s ok; those days are past us. Since the release of the debut, Whythre has done a complete overhaul. New singer, new direction, and, goddamn, I am here for it.” Unsafe practices.

Black Oak – Egolution Review

By Maddog on April 25, 2023 in Reviews, Hardcore, Post-Metal, Progressive Metal, 20 comments

“Egolution was a tough nut to crack. I picked up the debut from Sweden’s Black Oak based on the promo’s bold namedrops of Cult of Luna, ISIS, and Palms. When I started listening, I expected standard sludgy post-metal. I was wrong. Fifty-three minutes later, my head spinning with variants of “what the hell did I just listen to,” I panicked. Black Oak’s restless blend of post-rock and hardcore with electronic influences, prog, classical flourishes, and more left me confused.” Let go my Ego.

Cam Girl – Untucked Review

By Kenstrosity on April 19, 2023 in Reviews, Hard Rock, Non-metal Metal Things, Punk, 74 comments

“Punk has never been my favorite genre. I am not sure if it’s the rough and ready vocals that often help define the punk sound, or if it’s just something about punk songwriting that doesn’t enthuse me. Either way, it’s something I struggle to love. That is, until I went to my first Cam Girl show only about a year ago.” Punk in a tight place.

Raider – Trial by Chaos Review

By Maddog on April 11, 2023 in Reviews, Death Metal, Thrash Metal, 91 comments

“After producing one of 2022’s greatest pieces of album art, Mitchell Nolte is back with a vengeance. The fantasy scene that graces Raider’s Trial by Chaos depicts a lone warrior battling a sea of dragons, snakes, and cephalopods attacking from every direction. Violent, claustrophobic, and extravagant, it’s a perfect match for the music. Canada’s Raider specializes in an explosive brand of death-thrash that keeps the dial turned to 11 at all times.” The April wind is a Raider.

Lesotho – Through the Dying Light Review

By Carcharodon on April 7, 2023 in Reviews, Ambient Metal, Instrumental Metal, Post-Metal, 10 comments

“Look, I get it. You’re a new post-metal band trying to make it, but is it, maybe, a bit of a stretch to tout that your debut EP was recorded at the same studio that, 21 years ago, hosted the sessions for ISIS’ iconic Oceanic and has, at some point in the intervening two decades, changed its name? Yes, but I’d do it too. So, Boston-based Lesotho recorded its 2021 EP, Summer Wars, at The Bridge Sound & Stage, formerly known as Fort Apache Studios, where post-metal legends ISIS … Never mind.” Studio stalkers.