Our resident Post-Queen, Inksterium, may not realize always that post-genres call for her. However, Kazea, a Gothenburg-based trio formed by ex-members of Orochen and Hellsongs, provide a lived-in force to their debut experience I, Ancestral. But all post and no play can still made the Queen a dull monarch. Can Kazea possibly please the Crown?
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Lunar – Tempora Mutantur Review
As a patchwork ensemble centered around a few fixed members, Lunar have always seemed to be chasing a cohesive vision. Where sleights of hand have given way to frosted and fixed landscapes, has Tempora Mutantur crystallized the Lunar sound in proggy bliss?
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Aitheer – The Serpent Review
Many a reviewer will tell you that music PR is good mainly for laughs or danger warnings, but I find it a useful guide to a band’s intentions. You see, where most PR releases cite influential and benchmark bands, Aitheer’s mentions none and instead throws around words like cinematic and theatric. And just like that, I have a way to frame The Serpent.
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Hirax – Faster Than Death Review
When bears don’t mosh, they rummage through some thrash. Will the return of Hirax induce some bear-fisted action, or will they leave Bobo hanging in the trash pit?
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Marrowomb – Phiesnomie Review
Phisenomie is a collection of tracks that roughly deal in the same kind of sound as Vredehammer — blackened death metal focused on furious riffs that trade blows across the songs. Where Marrowomb manage to stand out is in some odd rhythms and use of dissonant chords that is a clear heritage from its creators time in Polyptych. As it stand, tough, our Gator may have a few bones to pick with its dedication to the mighty riff.
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Maud The Moth – The Distaff Review
For the past month, all I heard was “Maud the Moth AotY”, counterpointed by the disgust of a certain caprine tyrant at such statements in early February. Suffice to say by the time I actually got to hear The Distaff, my appetite was well and truly whetted.
Is Peat singing praises or sighing into the void?
Sleep Paralysis – Sleep Paralysis Review
If that amazing album cover doesn’t freak you out then I don’t know what to tell you. I always find it amazing when visual art and the theme of an album gel together well, and so I was hoping that Sleep Paralysis would be a powerful statement on its theme, matching that image. A bird in the hand is better than two in the forest. Spiders tho…?
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Pissgrave – Malignant Worthlessness Review
Metal bands often aim to be mysterious and ambivalent. They feature cover art that is truly great, with hidden meanings, and band names that make you wonder how they came up with such clever names and what they really mean. Today, however, I am going to write about Pissgrave—the exact opposite of what I just described. Their band name and album art advertise exactly what you’re going to get: death.
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Ereb Altor – Hälsingemörker Review
One of the best trends in metal right now is the recent spate of black-trad hybrids. It’s a welcome revival of a combination with a long history that makes a ton of sense as their shared love of drama goes together like blood and ice. Ereb Altor know what I’m talking about — they take their sanguine cocktails on the rocks just like Anti-Peat.
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Crypts of the Unknown: Capilla Ardiente – The Siege
