The deathly doom metal of Swallow the Sun used to be offset with moments of cold beauty and increasingly pop oriented vocal lines, that still managed to feel like a fresh breath visible in the chill air. This has been turned on its head on Shining, a move that in hindsight was well telegraphed over the last two albums the band put out.
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Morticide – Death Cannot Hold Those with Purpose… Review
The call of fresh blood persists, and a new voice from beyond the mortal veil has risen to cast judgement on that which whelms neither of the over or under variety. But can the untested figure out how one kills death?
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Iotunn – Kinship Review
Access All Worlds, Iotunn’s first full-length release, took the Gator’s top spot back in 2021. While in hindsight, he may choose different these days, Aldará’s vocals are in part the anchor that makes Access All Worlds remarkable to the Gator, as the music leaves a lot of room for him to insert melodrama and meaning to the often grand sounding riffs. But will Kinship remain in kissing favor with our favorite reptilian?
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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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Lowen – Do Not Go To War With The Demons of Mazandaran Review
Do Not Go To War With The Demons Of Mazandaran is one of the most metal album titles you’ll see this year. Dire warnings, demonology, striking statements? This is the good stuff! Why not start the Halloween festivities early this year with some HaLowen. 😉
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Vile Humanity – Disqualified as a Human Review
Deathgrind is a genre that has a lot of sonic variation, despite what someone unfamiliar with it may expect. Vile Species drink from Repulsion’s well, with audible guitars and a focus on fast, nasty riffs with just the right amount of thrash and black metal influence. Will their album live up to the striking cover art and title?
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Adorior – Bleed on My Teeth Review
Bleed on My Teeth is a relentless assault on the senses, a sonic maelstrom that threatens to consume all in its path. British band Adorior’s third full-length is a masterclass in chaos and destruction, with vocals from Melissa Gray aka Jaded Lungs that defy reason and convention. Ride the red wave.
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Dawnwalker – The Unknowing Review
While previous Dawnwalker albums have explored the realms of “post” and prog, The Unknowing shifts into a more enigmatic and spectral realm. Norgate’s vocals, guitar and keys intertwine with an eclectic mix of contributions, discreet elements like the flute which give it a faint Jethro Tull vibe without ever feeling derivative. Call. Forth. The jazz flute. And adventure into the unknown.
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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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Crypts of the Unknown: 2024 Vol. 1
