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…
Album Review
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…
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…
Visions From Beyond – Drawing Down The Darkness
Reviewed: December 2021 Released: 2021, Dry Cough Records Rating: 4/5 Reviewer: Neil Langton Following hot on the heels of the well received release of debut cassette ‘Eternally Bound, Whipped By Time’, Visions From Beyond have delved into the ancient cosmic abyss once again to bring you the harrowing new EP,…
Necromantia – To the Depths we Descend
Reviewed: December 2021 Released: 2021, The Circle Music Rating: 4.5/5 Reviewer: Demitri Levantis Albums can be released to mark all sorts of events, such as the start of a band’s career, a moment where a band made it big time, or in this case, a memorial to a former member…
Solacide – Fall From Eternity
Reviewed: December 2021 Released: 2021, Saturnal Records Rating: 3.5/5 Reviewer: Kira Levine Finnish black metallers Solacide, (formerly known as Dim Moonlight) have returned with their second album, Fall From Eternity. Active since 2004, this is their first release in five years. It comes after their debut The Finish Line, with…
Running Wild – Blood on Blood
Reviewed: December 2021 Released: 2021, Steamhammer/SPV Rating: 3/5 Reviewer: Kieron Hayes Like any good bunch of experienced buccaneers, Running Wild have been on quite a journey, with ups and downs. After a short start playing Venom-esque gritty proto-black speed metal, they found their niche pretty quickly as premier pirate-themed traditional…
Dream Theater – A View From the Top of the World
Reviewed: December 2021 Released: 2021, Inside Out Music Rating: 3/5 Reviewer: Kieron Hayes For a band that’s regularly held up as one of the definitive bands of progressive metal, and oftentimes even as a gold standard of the style, Dream Theater have a surprising lack of progression within their long…
Cistvaen – Under the Silent Meadow Skies
Reviewed: December 2021 Released: 2021, self-released Rating: 4/5 Reviewer: Demitri Levantis One thing I love about black metal is its ability to take very calm and content themes such as nature and make them sound delightfully evil. That is very much the case for the new release from UK atmospheric…
Earthwomb – Becoming Immanence
Reviewed: December 2021 Released: 2021, self-released Rating: 4.5/5 Reviewer: Demitri Levantis Becoming Immanence is the debut EP from the Peruvian black metal outfit Earthwomb and immanence has definitely been achieved by this 31-minute piece of truly impressive black metal talent the South American trio have concocted. South America has its…