Interview with Avatar Johannes Eckerström of Avatar, discussing life in a band during the pandemic and other Avatar related musings…. Interview and live photos by Graham Hilling. The interview was sent just before the Hunter Gatherer European tour was postponed to 2023. So, I reckon it has been a good…
Orange Goblin + King Creature @ The Underworld, London
Orange Goblin + King Creature @ The Underworld, London 18th December 2021 Review by Jack Merry Photography by Dovalde Gaidelionyte www.instagram.com/dova_photography/
Best of 2021: Kieron Hayes
01. Every Time I Die – Radical (SAMPLE) Radical is an album that is absolutely enraged, and one that is utterly sincere and honest in that rage. In style it sits within the realm of -core, both metal and math, but these simple terms honestly don’t do any justice to…
Best of 2021: Demitri Levantis
TOP 20 Metal Albums 01. Ildaruni – Beyond Unseen Gateways 02. Imperialist – Zenith 03. Mystras – Empires Vanquished and Dismantled 04. Nightfall – At Night We Prey 05. Stormkeep – Tales of Othertime 06. Yoth Iria – As the Flame Withers 07. Wormwitch – Wolf Hex 08. Light of the Morning Star – Charnel Noir 09. Glemt –…
Ghost Bath – Self Loather
Reviewed: Jan 2022 Released: 2021 Northern Silence Productions Rating: 3/5 Reviewer: Demitri Levantis The depressive post-black metal forerunners, Ghost Bath have returned with their fourth studio piece, “Self Loather.” Something of an ironic title given how easy-going and helpful I found this record when listening to it. I should…
Khemmis – Deceiver
Reviewed: January 2022 Released: 2021, Nuclear Blast Rating: 3.5/5 Reviewer: Kieron Hayes Despite only just coming up on double digits of age as a band and their fourth full-length, Khemmis have already made a solid name for themselves among doom fans. Their approach manages to expertly tap into the epic…
Boarhammer – I: Cutting Wood For Magickal Purposes
Reviewed: January 2022 Released: 2021, self-released Rating: 3.5/5 Reviewer: Kira Levine Boarhammer is a German black metal duo (guitarist/vocalist Wodwoz and singing, drumming bassist The Vessel), formed in 2020. I: Cutting Wood For Magickal Purpose is their debut demo, limited to only 150 independently-released tape cassette copies. Atmospheric opener “Riding…
Swallow The Sun – Moonflowers
Reviewed: January 2022 Released: 2021, Century Media Records Rating: 4/5 Reviewer: Lee Carter As one of the genre’s most celebrated figureheads, Finland’s SWALLOW THE SUN needs absolutely no introduction and continues to carry the torch for those of a death/doom persuasion. They may be over twenty years into their existence as…
Ministry – Moral Hygiene
Reviewed: January 2022 Released: 2021, Nuclear Blast Rating: 3/5 Reviewer: Kieron Hayes It’s been a bit of an interesting trip with Ministry through the years, as the Christ-constructed hotrod found their route, built up speed, careened along with style that felt classically punk, simultaneously carefree and deeply motivated by socio-political…
Hammerfall – Renegade 2.0
Reviewed: January 2022 Released: 2021, Nuclear Blast Rating: 3/5 Reviewer: Kieron Hayes Renegade, originally released in 2000, was the third album of Swedish power metal cheese dealers HammerFall. After 21 years it’s getting a remixed release, and so of course the question is: how much of a difference does this…
Bonehunter – Dark Blood Reincarnation System
Reviewed: January 2022 Released: 2021, Hells Headbangers Rating: 3.5/5 Reviewer: Andrea Di Stasio Bonehunter is back with their fourth album, “Dark Blood Reincarnation System”, and what a great return! The Finnish devil metal trio delivers 40 minutes of excellent chaos with unexpected shades of melody and mind-blowing guitars. This album…
Bednja – Ponosni u Smrti
Reviewed: January 2022 Released: 2021, self-released Rating: 3/5 Reviewer: Svetlana Likhacheva Deeply disturbed by the illogicalities and injustices of everyday life in Croatia, the black/hardcore trio Bednja was left with no choice but to speak up about their greatest frustrations in their fresh EP called Ponosni u Smrti, which means…
Krvna – Sempinfernus
Reviewed: January 2022 Released: 2021, Seance Records Rating: 3/5 Reviewer: Svetlana Likhacheva Black metal one-piece KRVNA proudly presents highly anticipated debut album Sempinfernus via SEANCE RECORDS, on CD and cassette tape formats. Earlier this year, in the beginning of autumn to be precise, the band released its debut demo, Long…
Me and That Man – New Man, New Songs, Same Shit Vol. 2
Reviewed: January 2022 Released: 2021, Napalm Record Rating: 3.5/5 Reviewer: Demitri Levantis Adam “Nergal” Darski has done many notable things in his life. Creating Poland’s most popular metal band and becoming something of a national celebrity are two big things, but now he has ventured into the realms of blues,…
Cradle Of Filth – Existence Is Futile
Reviewed: January 2022 Released: 2021, Nuclear Blast Records Rating: 4/5 Reviewer: Kira Levine With a title that seems to reference the phrase “resistance is futile”, Cradle Of Filth have seemed to have somewhat shied away from their (un)usual realm of vampirism etc. to venture into the world of existentialism for…