Another week, another round of metal reviews in the bag. Words are tough, so we assembled the highlights. And if you want to read the latest reviews for the new offerings from Perky Macabre / SPÖoÖoKY STEVE, Mourn the Light, High Priest, Ice Howl, Archdruid, Ragana, SOL, Exulansis, and Midnight Odyssey, you can do that too!
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Exulansis – Overtures of Uprising Review
Doom isn’t for everyone. Nor is Doom that includes copious amount of chamber-influenced violin, rough ‘n’ tumble Blackened sprints, and sadperson, melodic crooning. But that’s exactly the overflowing platter of existential exploration that Oregon’s Exulansis deliver with Overtures of Uprising. Rise and eat up.
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Ragana – Desolation’s Flower Review
Creating music as a duo can present a paradoxical dynamic. It can be both easier, as there is only one other person to get in tune with, and more challenging when conflicts do arise, as the intricate interplay between two artistic visions will require a fine balance of compromise and creative synergy. Maria and Coley, the two members of Ragana, take turns on guitar, drums, and vocals, and since 2012 this approach has allowed them to maintain interest with their hybrid of unrefined Black/Doom Metal. Two hearts blast beat as one.
Read moreThis Week in Metal, 2023 Week 41
Another week, another round of metal reviews in the bag. Words are tough, so we assembled the highlights. And if you want to read the latest reviews for the new offerings from Stortregn, Baring Teeth, Afterbirth, Manbryne, and Vertebra Atlantis, you can do that too!
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Mānbryne – O próbie wiary i jarzmie zwątpienia Review
Interregnum seamlessly continues the sonic journey Mānbryne started on their debut album, delving deeper into melancholic tones, and culminating in an explosive finale. Cosmo might not have been fishing for a new addition to his end of year list when he got caught in Mānbryne’s hooks.
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Ashbringer – We Came Here to Grieve Review
Ashbringer sound like they come from this lineage of music, a Pitchfork-approved style of Post-Black Metal made popular by bands like Deafheaven. But the material on We Came Here to Grieve features a harsher edge than the scrapbooking album cover entails, mainly carried by the vocals. Still not kvlt enough for sunscreen.
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Hexvessel – Polar Veil Review
Polar Veil caught my attention simply by breaking the ice with distorted guitar in its first preview track. Hexvessel has used this before (and its members are no strangers to Metal), but Blackened Doom Metal was really not something I expected to hear from these guys. Not just another Black Metal Monday.
Read moreThis Week in Metal, 2023 Week 37
Another week, another round of metal reviews in the bag. Words are tough, so we assembled the highlights. And if you want to read the latest reviews for the new offerings from Tomb Mold, Altarage, Bekor Qilish, Feral, Crawl, Ôros Kaù, and Undergang, you can do that too!
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Ôros Kaù – Thanatos Review
Right off the bat, the album opens with riffs that are meant to evoke the listener into a state of trance-like meditation. Album highlights include “Marbas” and “Dawn of the Red Scorpio”, two tracks that really emphasize the moments where this project excels: mixing furious Black Metal and ritualistic chant-singing that gets layered over the growls for a unique and welcome experience. Be careful not to get trapped in the trem-like… I mean trance-like state.
Read moreUnlock the Crypts
Crypts of the Unknown: Bound and Gagged – Fornicate the Gutted
