Grendel’s Sÿster – Katabasis into the Abaton / Abstieg in die Traumkammer Review

Goat hates the concept of giving the “benefit of the doubt” when it comes to music reviews. Too often, reviewers claim an album needs several listens to be rated properly. Whatever happened to trusting instincts? In our Goat’s view, this search for redeeming qualities often leads to softening critiques. But with Grendel’s Sÿster’s Katabasis into the Abaton / Abstieg in die Traumkammer, he knew immediately—no doubt about it.

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Dark Tranquillity – Endtime Signals Review

No band has meant more to me than Dark Tranquillity. Yet somehow I’d have missed the release date of Endtime Signals if friends hadn’t reminded me. Part of that is me living a more complicated life now I’ve grown up. The other part though is that age has simultaneously fractured Dark Tranquillity’s line-up while also ushering in a calmer sound with less wild album to album evolution. They’re not releasing bad albums, but they’re not punishing heavens any more either.

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Feind – Ambulante Hirnamputation Review

Ever met an Icelandic black metal fan? You know the kind that insists that the origin of a band, despite the advancements in communication technology, fully informs their sound — transforming music into something akin to a champagne than an artistic discipline that can be studied, imitated, and paid homage to. No, of course you haven’t. That’s why you’re hear, ready to read a deathgrind review. Good taste comes to those who grind.

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