Spanish Metal

Totengott – The Abyss Review

By Mark Z. on April 18, 2019 in 2019, Black Metal, Doom Metal, Reviews, Spanish Metal, Thrash Metal, Xtreem Music, Black Metal, Doom Metal, Thrash Metal, 16 comments

“This Spanish trio’s 2017 debut took great pains to emulate the sound of Monotheist and Triptykon, to the point where I wouldn’t be surprised if Tom G. Warrior applied for a restraining order after its release. Nonetheless, the album was still enjoyable, in part because it had one of the best production jobs of anything I’ve ever reviewed on this site. Given that Totengott began life as a Frost cover band in 2013, it’s unsurprising that second album The Abyss largely continues to worship Warrior like he’s a god in human flesh.” Are you still morbid?

Degraey – Reveries Review

By sentynel on March 5, 2019 in 2019, Post-metal, Reviews, Self-released, Spanish Metal, Post-Metal, 87 comments

“One of my greatest musical regrets is missing an opportunity to see Isis perform shortly before they disbanded. They were the band that got me into the heavier, harsher-vocalled side of metal, and remain one of my all-time favorite bands. Fortunately, given their position as genre-definers for post-metal, there are no shortage of imitators out there to scratch the itch. Degraey are an independent Spanish band, here with their second album following 2016’s Chrysalis, and the briefest of listens to Reveries reveals they’re card-carrying members of the “We Miss Isis” club.” Gone but not forgotten.

Onirophagus – Endarkenment (Illumination Though Putrefaction) Review

By Grymm on February 19, 2019 in 2019, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Extreem Music, Reviews, Spanish Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, 33 comments

“Think of an album as a multi-course meal; many of them give bite-sized but satisfying nutrient-packed portions that not only leave you satisfied, but definitely give you a craving for more. However, a scant few offer just meager tastes of what’s to come, oftentimes leaving the listener malnourished and starving, begging for just another bite. Finally, some bands give you monstrous servings, packed with calories, nutrients, and sometimes things you don’t want to ingest under any circumstances whatsoever, stuffing you full as you’re screaming, “No, please stop… I can’t eat anymore… I’m gonna explode…” and then they keep feeding you well past the point of explosion.” It’s waffer thin!

Inferno – Basado en Hechos Reales Review

By Holdeneye on January 24, 2019 in 2019, Necromance Records, Reviews, Spanish Metal, Thrash Metal, 60 comments

“Let me congratulate you. If you’re reading this, it means you’ve managed to survive “The Great Thrash Drought of 2018.” Thrash is one of my favorite genres in both its single malt and blended-with-other-genre forms, so it was rough having only one album of that style amongst my favorites of last year. There’s just something about the combination of riffs and attitude that makes well-performed thrash untouchable in my book. I’ve been tempted to give in to a sense of hopelessness when it comes to modern day thrash, but rather than relent to this urge, I’ve decided to opt for immersion therapy.” No speed kills.

Sönambula – Bicéfalo Review

By Holdeneye on January 4, 2019 in 2018, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Reviews, Spanish Metal, Xtreem Music, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Sludge Metal, 94 comments

“Before hearing Deathhammer by Asphyx a few years ago, I didn’t think that death/doom was something that I wanted or needed in my life. Its combination of crushing heaviness and blistering extremity immediately grabbed me. I love that album so much that I named one of my favorite workouts after it. “Deathhammer” is what happens when I go out to my garage, put the title track on repeat, and beat a giant tire with a 20 pound sledge until I can no longer breathe. You can imagine my glee upon finding out that my latest promo counts the mighty Dutch juggernaut among its primary influences.” Hammer time.

Eternal Dream – Daementia Review

By Holdeneye on December 10, 2018 in 2018, Power Metal, Pride & Joy Music, Reviews, Spanish Metal, Symphonic Metal, Power Metal, 35 comments

“Nearly every time I prepare to go out for food and/or drink, I tell myself something along the lines of “I’m only going to have a couple” or “I’m not going to eat too much.” This inevitably leads to a moment later in the night where my wife mocks me for bemoaning the fact that I’ve tested the limits of gluttony and intemperance again. “Just accept the fact that you’re going to get hammered and eat too much and choose to enjoy it,” she says. She’s onto something here. While it’s generally best to aim for moderation in life, sometimes you just have to go into something expecting and embracing excess. This is a lesson that Spanish symphonic power metal band Eternal Dream demands that you take to heart.” Gluttony and lust!

Sad Eyes – vIV0 Review

By Angry Metal Guy on December 9, 2018 in 2018, Death Metal, Necromance Records, Reviews, Spanish Metal, Death Metal, 22 comments

“As a wee lad, I met a guy at camp who was quite the contortionist. He delighted in the responses his disconcerting levels of flexibility granted him, basking in the wide-eyed, slack-jawed and mildly disgusted attention of his peers. However, his flexibility never garnered him any true friends. He was a spectacle, an object of attention, nothing more. Hailing from Spain, one-man death metal project Sad Eyes, helmed by Santi Gzlez, seeks to turn his project into a musical contortion of sorts, assembling an album with a list of collaborators longer than I’ve had friends.” Death metal camp is rough.

The Wizards – Rise of the Serpent Review

By Angry Metal Guy on November 1, 2018 in 2018, Heavy Metal, High Roller Records, Reviews, Spanish Metal, Heavy Metal, 17 comments

“What makes a wizard? Is it a long devotion to the craft, a willingness to delve into places long lost, long forgotten? Or is it in keeping a tradition alive, holding true to what works with an unwavering devotion? For The Wizards of Bilbao, Spain, the latter seems to be the path of choice.” Wizard of undetermined color.

Lifelost – Dialogues From Beyond Review

By Cherd on October 30, 2018 in 2018, Black Metal, Reviews, Spanish Metal, Transcending Obscurity, Black Metal, 48 comments

“I was settling into my windowless, poorly ventilated n00b office when I heard voices in the hall. Steel Druhm was asking for a review status, and words formed in an iron throat answered, ‘I’m watching a Vampire Diaries marathon until Halloween. Give it to a n00b.'” Exploitation is the gift we give n00bkind.

Black Lotus – Sons of Saturn Review

By Huck N Roll on October 19, 2018 in 2018, Doom Metal, Epic Metal, Heavy Metal, Inverse Records, Reviews, Spanish Metal, Doom Metal, Epic Metal, Heavy Metal, 44 comments

“Back in 2017, the epic doom of Sorcerer’s excellent The Crowning of the Fire King marched its way onto a couple of Top 10(ish) lists, coming in at #5 for The Huckster and #1 for our great ape, Steel Druhm. Nothing has really come close to emulating that feel so far this year — perhaps the closest we’ve come is the satisfyingly thick platter of Týr-ish goodness that was Khemmis’ Desolation. But that album didn’t hit home like Sorcerer did, nor has it had the staying power. Enter Spanish newcomers Black Lotus, and their debut album, Sons of Saturn, which promises to be chock full of epicness.” Black Wizzard?