Album Reviews

Belgian death metal five-piece Carnation shows a real knack for hitting a high target with their newest album “Cursed Mortality” released via Season of Mist on November 3rd, 2023. One decade after their formation, Carnation continues to develop in the old-school style of Swedish death metal a la Entombed. The third album is uncompromising intensity, where each of the eight tracks combines hefty HM-2 guitar riffs and vicious growls. Carnation has stepped up their game on the songwriting and there is no question about the quality and the performance.
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In the past, I have done other single reviews and an EP review from Chris Maragoth. This time, he is releasing his first full-length album on November 24, 2023. Some of the songs have already been released before, and have been remastered for this album. Some songs are brand new. Let's check them out!
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The Finnish symphonic black metal collective Vargrav has borne its mark in crafting a timeless record for fans of symphonic black metal. The third album “The Nighthold” out via Werewolf Records on December 15th, 2023, reflects the songwriting magnificence of V-Khaoz Stormrage (keyboards) in creating some of the prominent pieces in the genre. The fabulous lineup is amassed by the artistic genius of V-Khaoz and it includes Graf Werwolf Von Armageddon (vocals), Trollhorn of the Black Harvest (guitars, bass), and Baron M. Tarwonen (drums).
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Imbibing mystic knowledge of the Greek myths, Hellenic occult black metal masters Varathron returns with themes of mystery and darkness. The seventh album “The Crimson Temple” released on December 1st, 2023, via Agonia Records, offers a detailed composition and is elaborated by their own craftsmanship. At the helm, for thirty-five years Stefan Necroabyssious (vocals), Achilleas C. (guitars, keyboards), Haris (drums), Sotiris (guitars) and, Stratos Kountouras (bass) achieve mastery of perfection in the Hellenic canon.
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Enshrined in the abysmal depths of underground death metal for more than a decade, the international quartet Cruciamentum delivers a sepulchral opus to their follow-up album “Charnel Passages”. The long-awaited sophomore release “Obsidian Refractions” out via Profound Lore Records on November 24th, 2023, sees Chris Eakes (vocals, bass guitar), Dan Rochester (guitars), Dan Lowndes (guitars, backing vocals) and, Matt Heffner (drums) returning from the yawning chasm.
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Probably the two biggest bands on 20 Buck Spin, Dream Unending, and Worm joined forces for a special split album titled “Starpath” and while the release date is slated for November 24th, 2023, the split album is now available for online streaming on multiple platforms like YouTube and Spotify. However, the split release promises fans to delve deeper into the doom-death metal spectrum, perfectly bringing the ultimate balance between Dream Unending’s brand of bluesy psychedelic touches and the semi-symphonic oeuvre of Worm’s blackened doom-death metal sound.
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Norway’s supreme death metal act Aeternus enters into its thirtieth year, standing like a staple in the top ranks of the Scandinavian elite bands. Their ninth album “The Philosopher” comes out via Agonia Records on November 17th, 2023. Aeternus finds a gloomy prospect which is encapsulated by cold grim riffing. With the leading member Ares (vocals, guitars) at the helm of a new era, the lineup includes Gorm (guitars), Phobos (drums) and Eld (bass guitar).
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Nita Strauss released her second album 'Call of the Void' on July 7th 2023. The title might sound rather depressing, but Nita explains that that is not its intention. It's not about jumping in a dark void, or being afraid of the dark or nothingness. It's about the feeling to be alive, and to take a jump to something new, even if you're scared. With that in mind, let's take a jump into Nita's new record.

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Virginia’s based-death metal band Left Cross finally returns with vengeance to plague us in the horrible themes of death and destruction. The sophomore “Upon Desecrated Altars” was released on November 10th, 2023, via Profound Lore Records. The dark murky quality of the nine songs plus intro is emphasized by the macabre themes of war, whereas the cavernous quality is textured in the heavy guitar reverb and guttural growls. Left Cross was formed in 2014 and has released a number of EPs before the band released its 2017 full length album "Chaos Ascension".
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U.K.’s blackened death/doom metal act Strigoi released its brand-new EP “Bathed in A Black Sun” on November 3rd, 2023, through Season of Mist. The new outing contains four unreleased songs from the recording session of the band’s full-length album “Viscera” and one released track which was released on the album. There is a certain monolithic heaviness in the guitar tone and bleak darkness surrounding the music overall. Strigoi’s lineup includes Greg Mackintosh (guitars, vocals), Chris Casket (bass guitar), and Guido Zima (drums) and, Ben Ash (guitar) both made their appearance on the sophomore release.
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