Demoncy – Black Star Gnosis Review

A new challenger for “most boring black metal act in 2023” has entered the arena, however, and its name is Demoncy. An old school Black Metal band from the USA, Demoncy had a brief period of activity in the 1990s before vanishing for the better part of a decade until the early 2010s. Black Star Gnosis is their first outing on the modern juggernaut label of the underground, Dark Descent Records. Why won’t they reply to our asks for a victory speech?

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Laurel Halo – Atlas Review

Do you need a palate cleanser after listening to all that Vortexectomy, Parasitic Ejaculation and Cattle Decapitation? Then I present to you, Laurel Halo, the musician behind Atlas, one of the best ambient records of 2023. “Ugh, ambient” you might say, but don’t be so quick to dismiss this beautiful and apprehensive kaleidoscope of sounds. Take a walk on the mild side.

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SOL – Promethean Sessions Review

The album oscillates between droney soundscapes that come across as somewhat improvised, and more focused gothic-leaning classic Doom. I am not aware of the methodology of improvisation used here, whether there were rules or guidelines, but the droney sections of the album are pleasant and even provide a sense of mental relief. But is this all enough to set Goat’s charts ablaze?

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