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.
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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?
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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.
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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!
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Botanist – Paleobotany Review
Hey look, it’s Botanist, the band with the hammered dulcimer! A consequence of a world filled brimful of good metal bands is that bands become known by their unique thing. Paleobotany, though, is a concept album dedicated to the marvels of the gigantic plants that existed before the Chicxulub asteroid so rudely interrupted their existence. Come on in and see if this release is as big a hit as that!
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Kawir – Kydoimos Review
One of the seemingly endless joys of being a metal fan is stumbling across a band that’s old as the hills but somehow new to you. Kawir is a good example. They released their first demo in 1993 and Kydoimos is their eighth studio album. You could say that up until this point, it was all Greek to our poor Anti-Peat.
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Infestus – Entzweiung Review
Entzweiung is a mix of black metal and post metal that seeks to find the grandest, coldest ideas from both. The word “brooding” springs to mind repeatedly. The result is a set of songs that gradually but surely build into soul-scraping fury — let them infest your ears.
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Arð – Untouched By Fire Review
Untouched By Fire is a bleakly beautiful homage to Northumbria’s history. It tells the story of its founder, King Oswald, through the medium of doom metal. It’s bloody good doom metal too, powerful and insistent. Think Moonsorrow, think Árstíðir Lífsins. Arð you ready for some AOTY material?
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Vesperian Sorrow – Awaken The Greylight Review
At its best, the symphonic black metal subgenre produces moments of sublime awe. At its worst, it offers a different brand of experiences never to be repeated. Since Awaken The Greylight is Vesperian Sorrow’s fifth album, Anti-Peat has his doubts. Awaken the Peat-light.
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Crypts of the Unknown: Animosity – Animal
