The application of the ‘metal’ tag can at times be a real stretch or, at best, tenuous when applied to some bands. Having no knowledge of their older work, it makes it a curious endeavor to embrace Read more […]
Their name sake coming from one of the best opening thrash tracks ever in Metallica’s back catalog, Danish quintet Battery formed in 2008 and released a few demo tapes and their Mental Pollution EP Read more […]
When the classics of death metal are cited, you’ll hear the chants of Morbid Angel and Death, but maybe, just maybe you’ll hear of Demilich. One of the strangest death metal albums of the times, Read more […]
A rare Spanish metal entry, Nigromante have been kickin’ it since 2003, with three demos to their name. Their first full-length happens to be Black Magic Night (maybe they’re referencing the first line Read more […]
The unsurpassed band that demolish the willpower of all bands that even try to match them, the quartet whose music trample over the souls of the weak, triumph over the heavens, and thunder below Hell. Read more […]
Being familiar with the metal scene for over 30+ years, you see developing trends and acts who could make a lasting impact. Gone are the days where everything needs to be eviler or more extreme, where Read more […]
Ukrainian titans of pagan black metal, Drudkh, through Season of Mist records, have released a collection of material spanning three EPs onto one release entitled Eastern Frontier in Flames. Combining Read more […]
Coming off of two highly regarded EPs, Abysmal Thresholds marks the first time these Finns have given us a full-length release. Looking at the gorgeously macabre artwork that adorns its cover, cave-dwelling, Read more […]
Experimental blackened sludge metallers Murmur surface from Chicago, Illinois, the inland of many of the United States’ greatest black-sludge metal bands such as Minsk, Corrections House, and Lord Mantis. Read more […]
Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Agiel released Dark Pantheons Again Will Reign well over a decade ago on Unique Leader. A blistering technical death metal release, the band used some Read more […]
The dearth of quality singers in our scene alone makes the prospect of an A Capella onslaught seem unlikely, so the field is wide-open for this German sextet to reign…and “rakkatakka.” Dawn of the Brave Read more […]
Internet research dictates Cauldron and Skull Fist were formed the same year, 2006, which totally negates the argument toward one band poaching off the other (which is where we were going to head if we Read more […]
Forming back in 1989, Acheron has always held a presence in death metal, even if their albums were frequently many years apart. Briefly breaking up for about 6 months back in 2010, this album serves Read more […]
Seemingly perfect for a bleak, snowy day, Esoterica takes the cold aesthetic of black metal and runs with it. Formed from the ashes of Chaos Moon, Aseity marks the first full length for the band, despite Read more […]
Like writing a good novel, pacing is paramount when recording an album that keeps the listener hooked from beginning to end. Even if an entire disc’s songs don’t stray far from under the umbrella of Read more […]
The Greek demigods of symphonic death metal have stormed through masterpiece records since 1991. With masses of material heaving in doom-like wrath and saturated in mellifluous symphonies, Septicflesh Read more […]
While listening to a band that hails from Oslo, Norway, but doesn’t smite their audience with the fury of a frost giant while bedecked in corpse paint, leather, and inverted crosses may be disorienting, Read more […]
Sometimes you wake up and the sun is shining warmly on your face and the day is good. Sometimes you wake up and you’re being savagely beaten by a bunch of angry Czechs with rakes. Dødsverk is really Read more […]
Comfortably under the progressive umbrella, yet with enough capacity to elude those pesky to-the-point descriptions, Vermont’s Barishi have rolled out a dynamic batch of tunes with their self-titled Read more […]
Veteran conspiracy theorists and tech-death specialists Embryonic Devourment are back with their third full-length album, Reptilian Agenda. Continuing the band’s theme of an apocalyptic take-over by Read more […]
For fans of top-notch pagan black metal, a Drudkh / Winterfylleth split EP sounds great. For vinyl collectors of the same ilk, this split EP, released as a 12” hand-numbered, limited pressing (666 Read more […]
Sweden’s unsung doom/gothic metal entity Lake of Tears finally release their first live album since their 1992 origins, a 16-track affair appropriately titled By the Black Sea. With eight studio albums Read more […]
Groove is a beautiful thing and Canada’s Sierra has a bountiful amount of it on display throughout Pslip. Unfortunately with all the olderstonerclassicdoomwhatever feels this album has, an individuality Read more […]
Of late, melodic wanderings in black metal have been left up to the thick black glasses club, dudes of the nondescript sort. The substantive quality of having a melodic stream running through the extreme Read more […]
Metal bands think they have it rough now, try getting established in Greensboro, NC in the 80’s. That’s Nascar/Merle Haggard country, not metal. All sorts of visions start to float when thinking Read more […]
Hey, Iced Earth Stu Block doesn’t sound like Into Eternity Stu Block. Into Eternity Stu Block did whatever he wanted (remember his rafter scaling on “Timeless Winter?”); Iced Earth Stu Block stays Read more […]
Occasionally tagged as the caboose in the freight train of the holy trinity of British doom (that would be one slow train, though), Solstice have legitimate cred and standing thanks to a meager two-album/multiple Read more […]
One song, really? Alright, awe our metal minds with just one song that makes Thoughtscanning deservedly deemed as an album instead of a single or EP. When all is considered, these guys did it. Making their Read more […]
Good enough of a player to do time in both Nevermore and Testament, guitarist Steve Smyth has branched out on his own with One Machine. The primary coupe here is snagging former Mercenary singer Mikkel Read more […]
Everything about Morfin’s Inoculation reeks of classic death metal. From the band members’ long hair and leather jackets, the gory, horror-movie inspired artwork, to the music itself. They even Read more […]
