What is metal? Is it about heaviness? An ethos? Similarity to other metal bands? On A Frame of Mind, Kalandra produce something alienated and questioning, something balanced between heavy and frail.
Read more
Blighted Eye – Agony’s Bespoke Review
One of the joys of reviewing is forcing yourself to distill how you truly feel about a piece of art. The more complicated your initial feelings, the more fun the review is. As such, I should note the first words I spoke about Blighted Eye’s full length debut, Agony’s Bespoke, were that it was “all foreplay no climax”. So, did it eventually hit the right note for Peat?
Read more
Wraithfyre – Of Fell Peaks and Haunted Chasms Review
One look at the giant purple tower on the cover of Wraithfyre’s Of Fell Peaks and Haunted Chasms was enough to let Peat know that this had to be frostbitten 90s melodic black metal and it had to be solid – an icy touch enough to peak your interest too, perhaps.
Read more
Dark Tranquillity – Endtime Signals Review
No band has meant more to me than Dark Tranquillity. Yet somehow I’d have missed the release date of Endtime Signals if friends hadn’t reminded me. Part of that is me living a more complicated life now I’ve grown up. The other part though is that age has simultaneously fractured Dark Tranquillity’s line-up while also ushering in a calmer sound with less wild album to album evolution. They’re not releasing bad albums, but they’re not punishing heavens any more either.
Read more
Vanessa Funke – Void Review
Funke writes and writes. It almost makes the album name Void quite ironic as that’s the opposite of her discography. However, it is an apt fit for the melancholic tone she often adopts for her work. Last time around I wanted more of that bleak, sad goodness in Funke’s work. Will she fill that Void?
Read more
Nyktophobia – To The Stars Review
For those who do not know, Nyktophobia means a fear of the dark. I imagine a full quarter of those reading this have started whistling or imitating the air raid siren. Nyktophobia don’t have any particular ties to that sound, but it’s still a good name for them as their fourth album, To The Stars, features a dark and emotional take on melodic death metal.
Read more
Liminal Shroud – Visions of Collapse Review
Peat counts himself an atmoblack fan but at the same time, believes there are a lot of bands that prove the haters right. It’s a tough style to get right. That’s why the intro of Liminal Shroud’s Visions of Collapse filled him with hope and fear at the same time. As the curtain falls, what will your vision be?
Read more
Sear Bliss – Heavenly Down Review
There is space for many more brass instruments in metal. We have violins galore and keys by the score but not enough brass. Happily, Sear Bliss understand this. That’s why they have a trombonist. Come, everyone, let’s look at Anti-Peat’s tromboner.
Read more
Mythologik – Blood in the Sky Review
Texan duo Mythologik proclaim that Blood in the Sky features a mix of melodic blackened death metal musical tendencies with aggressive/soaring vocals like 80s thrash metal. And you know what, these Texans have some of those 80s thrash metal tendencies in the music too. We reckon, anyway. Grab the thrash bull by the horns!
Read moreUnlock the Krypts
Crypts of the Unknown: Bound and Gagged – Fornicate the Gutted
