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.
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This Week in Metal, 2023 Week 38
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 Fabricant, Courtney Gains, Alkaloid, Terra Builder, Uada and Blood Oath, you can do that too!
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Blood Oath – Lost in an Eternal Silence Review
Opening with a trippy, almost psychedelic intro, Blood Oath admittedly take their time in getting the listener hooked. With what is essentially an intro track, “Beyond the Dimensional Gates” does a good job in setting up the stage for the rest of the album rather than impress with technical prowess that the remaining tracks do. Can Cosmo be saved from a dry-pants-September?
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Courtney Gains – Safe Haven Review
Gains claim to fame is mainly being a child or teen actor in the 80s, starring in noteworthy supporting roles in films such as Children of the Corn or Back to the Future. Music is, however, more of a footnote in Gains’ career as his biggest musical claim to fame is that he once played live with Jam outfit Phish. What does Gains’ have to offer and how does it connect to his prior work as an actor? Some Gains, some lose?
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Uada – Crepuscule Natura Review
The songs on here are for the most part quite fun, with “The Dark (Winter)” and “Retraversing the Void” being standouts. Each of these tracks showcase Uada’s strengths: tight riffs, strong vocals, and a captivating atmosphere. But is it enough to evoke high praise from Cosmo?
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Terra Builder – Solar Temple Review
At its best, Solar Temple has some novel ideas: the title track combines a Morbid Angel sounding riff with Grindcore intensity and “Dead Celestial” features a tremolo riff throughout that works well with the forward charging groove. So at least you could say that they’re a good Trem Builder.
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Fabricant – Drudge To The Thicket Review
While the base is the skronky, fluid yet groove oriented Death Metal of Demilich, other influences make Fabricant have enough of an identity to be worthwhile and have staying power.
The unpredictable nature of the material is one of the albums biggest strengths and it makes sense that the album begins and ends on its most extravagant tracks. Obviously Fabri-can.
Alkaloid – Numen Review
Alkaloid have not changed much of their formula of Morbid Angel meets Yes in 2023. New to the mix is a slight push towards Heavy Metal leads that crop up here and there, as seen in “A Fool’s Desire” that opens with some acoustics recalling Caprae Idolum’s Matches EP before mixing and matching Heavy Metal with Death Metal outbursts. It doesn’t have any viola da gamba though.
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!
Read moreUnlock the Krypts
Crypts of the Unknown: Animosity – Animal
