Album names shape expectations, and Nocturnal Elegies suggested something atmospheric. Sabhankra’s mix of melodic black metal, folk, and even thrash reinforced that idea — but they defied expectations.
Sometimes, it’s good to be wrong.
Fleshbore – Painted Paradise Review
Fleshbore don’t reinvent anything on Painted Paradise, instead sticking to the tried-and-trve formula of machine-gun blasts, rapid-fire vocals, and riffs for days. Who needs a revamp when the wheel is ablaze?
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Othaliël – Ectrülhys Review
For the first time since the Pandora’s box of Esoctrilihum opened, project mastermind Asthâghul created a side project. Othaliël is the folk-tinged fever dream parallel to Esoctrilihum’s metal-induced psychosis. You could call it a folk in the road.
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Pentagram – Lightning in a Bottle Review
What about Pentagram has ever been “Lightning in a Bottle”? Pentagram are, fundamentally, the first all-American Sabbath rip-off. Given, Pentagram were early adopters, releasing singles all throughout the ’70s even if the first full-length only materialized in the mid-’80s. Being early is not always a good thing. Good thing lightning in a bottle strikes exactly when it needs to. Like a wizard. That’s how that works, right?
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Tormentor Tyrant – Excessive Escalation of Cruelty Review
I would describe Tormentor Tyrant as a more restless Deicide that are more willing to fly off their mid-paced rails into red rage swings for your face. In short, expect Excessive Escalation of Cruelty to hit with the exact vibe that its album cover screams with its red dead rage as several faces of death metal history blend together.
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Urfeind – Dauþalaikaz Review
Today on the chopping block: Urfeind, with third album Dauþalaikaz. Urfeind are new to me, yet I try to approach any new thing with an open mind, and I can appreciate a good slab of pagan black metal, so long as it’s done correctly. Is this my new obsession, or is Dauþalaikaz yet another of the countless black metal albums not worthy of your time and attention?
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Häxkapell – Om jordens blod och urgravens grepp Review
Häxkapell leans into a sound that is unmistakably Scandinavian. But Om jordens blod och urgravens grepp is also a black metal album that pays attention to making most of the trek through this earthy forest path memorable. Can its sadboi chords cast a spell on you?
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HØLLS – ILL
Inksterium has entered a stage in life where every album she takes a keen interest in doubles as a personality test. Case in point: she has recently discovered she doesn’t enjoy being teased. Here at The Goat Review, we serve full frontal postitude. Can you dig it?
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Wyatt E – Zamāru Ultu Qereb Ziqquratu Part 1 Review
Music for staring balefully at deserts is music for staring balefully at deserts, wherever you are. Yet those Middle Eastern accents are prominent, and so too is a certain stoner drone doom vibe. Wyatt E are wearing a lot of hats here. And it’s glorious.
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Crypts of the Unknown: Blunt Force Trauma – Vengeance for Nothing
