Ataraxie – Le Declín Review

Extreme metal can take many forms. But in this time of ours where acts try to out-Flanderize each other — essentially extremity fitting into the mold of extremity to be extreme — there is less and less that can actually be considered extreme. Ataraxie present their vision of funeral doom as a no-frills, heavily death metal inspired affair. It may be slow, but will it rush to the top of you doom metal essentials?

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Blood Incantation – Absolute Elsewhere Review

2022’s Timewave Zero served a synth-oriented ambient (zero death metal) work that felt more like a proof of concept than an album fully formed. Simple and not particularly deep synth textures could not feed what deathheads craved, and for synth enthusiasts, Timewave Zero had nothing to offer that could not be found much better elsewhere. In hindsight, that album appears to have been a necessary stepping stone. It’s not out of nowhere that Blood Incantation has called forth Absolute Elsewhere — OPEN THE FUCKING GATE.

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Spooktober Pairing! The Berzerker vs Shinya Tsukamoto

We here at The Goat Review embrace both the spooky in sound and in picture. Today, our own Scuttlegoat steps forward to recommend you an album from the wild, industrial side, The Berzerker (by The Berzerker), and a film from the honorable terror, Tetsuo: The Iron Man (by Shinya Tsukamoto). Partake in one or both or neither, just make sure it doesn’t drive you berserk…

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Grendel’s Sÿster – Katabasis into the Abaton / Abstieg in die Traumkammer Review

Goat hates the concept of giving the “benefit of the doubt” when it comes to music reviews. Too often, reviewers claim an album needs several listens to be rated properly. Whatever happened to trusting instincts? In our Goat’s view, this search for redeeming qualities often leads to softening critiques. But with Grendel’s Sÿster’s Katabasis into the Abaton / Abstieg in die Traumkammer, he knew immediately—no doubt about it.

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