Stretching beyond melodeath’s greatest works is a long tail of releases that are banal, toothless, or some combination thereof. In theory, The Halo Effect’s roster of In Flames alumni fronted by Dark Tranquillity’s Mikael Stanne is great news for people hoping for more gems. But if you can hear their riffs from a mile away, how can their march be so silent?
Read more
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?
Read more
Nyktophobia – To The Stars Review
For those who do not know, Nyktophobia means a fear of the dark. I imagine a full quarter of those reading this have started whistling or imitating the air raid siren. Nyktophobia don’t have any particular ties to that sound, but it’s still a good name for them as their fourth album, To The Stars, features a dark and emotional take on melodic death metal.
Read more
Veriteras – The Dark Horizon
Half of Veriteras’ sound is very like Dissection with vicious yet hummable tremolo melodies layered over double-bass abuse. The other half owes more to the stated influences of early In Flames and Kalmah. But does that mean you half to enjoy it? Well if you like melodeath…
Read more
Everdying – Dimensions of Mortal Frailty Review
Blackened melodeath band Everdying know a thing or two about it taking forever to get things done. They released their first EP in 2009 and are only now releasing their full-length debut, Dimensions of Mortal Frailty. But has this ever delayed release been worth the wait?
Read more
Dyssebeia – Garden of Stillborn Idols Review
Melodic Death Metal is truly a mixed bag of a genre. You often know what you will get when you press play. For every Carcass, The Black Dahlia Murder and Amorphis, there are thousands of At the Gates, In Flames and Insomnium clones. Are Dyssebeia also gardeners of eternal imitation?
Read more
Sylosis – A Sign of Things to Come Review
Metalcore was always present in Sylosis’ concoction of genres but it always tilted more towards the older Hardcore leaning bands. Opening song “Deadwood” is like an autostereogram of small amounts of Dyscarnate stomp and shouted Slipknot vocals that gradually come into focus in a Linkin Park refrain. But in the end, does it even matter? Find out in this review…
Read more
The Halo Effect – Days of the Lost Review
“Lost Days” might have been a better title for this album as these former members of In Flames, joined by Dark Tranquillity vocalist Mikael Stanne, […]
Read moreUnlock the Krypts
Crypts of the Unknown: Lorn – Arrayed Claws
