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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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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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.
Dying Fetus – Make Them Beg For Death Review
“Feast of Ashes”, with probably the best solo on the record, immediately trading moods with the grindiest track on the album, “Throw them in the Van” shows that Dying Fetus still knows how it’s done. That track in particular demonstrates that the band has not forgotten its roots and a quick grinder like that is something the band would’ve likely eschewed on their last two outings. Dying Fetus won’t allow you to become a dying fanboy.
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THORN – Evergloom Review
Peering behind the intricate layering of instruments, different reverbs and generally murky production is often a band whose sound appears barbaric and violent. Evergloom indeed gets much better as it goes along and THORN has a good grasp of when to pull back the murk from time to time. Every thorn has its glee.
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Gridlink – Coronet Juniper Review
Our Metalligator says Coronet Juniper is about to punch you in the face. While our Alice says that Coronet Juniper comes out the gates swinging with songs that stand shoulder to shoulder with Longhena’s best. This was never going to be a normal review for our Gridlink hopeful writers, so feast on two different takes of Gridlink’s latest. You’ll be drunk on Grind in no time!
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Acausal Intrusion – Panpsychism Review
Acsual Intrusion seemed initially somewhat interesting. Their style of Dissodeath seemed to have an odd influence from the Brutal Death Metal realm, even if only in the production values, most notably the snare. Nulitas, the debut, was exciting on some level, but it never managed to worm itself into my rotation, and in hindsight, I must admit that the issues being present in this newest album have been foreshadowed right from the start. Homeopathic levels of creativity make Goat a dull boy.
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Exmortus – Necrophony Review
Crammed full of guitar solos and Neoclassical wank, Slave to the Sword was one of the best and most-listened to albums for a High School-aged Cosmo. Now, nine years and two albums since that release, Exmortus returns fresh to Nuclear Blast with Necrophony after a couple releases on Prosthetic Records. Is this one to add to the list of Exmortus successes or does this signing to a major label signal a watered-down sound for a wider audience? Slave to the wank.
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Crypts of the Unknown: Blunt Force Trauma – Vengeance for Nothing
