Album Reviews

Along the manifold side project bands of Swedish multi-instrumentalist Swartadauþuz, Iron Bonehead Productions brings forth the most ancient musical creations of Trolldom. The two debut albums 'Av Gudars Ätt' and 'I nattens sken (Genom hemligheternas Dunkel)' are masterfully crafted in the timeless, ageless classical way that can only belong to the realm of 90s black metal. 'I nattens sken (Genom hemligheternas Dunkel)' was written between 2004 and 2008. The recording of this marvelous debut moved forward in 2018 and the mixing took place in 2021.
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Finnish renowned black metal veterans L.L. (all instruments), and M.M. (Vocals and lyrics) present their symphonic oeuvre under the moniker of Pestilent Hex. The debut album “Ashen Abhorrence” finds its way into the magical hallmarks of melodic/symphonic black metal of the early nineties. The Finnish duo delivers an excellent performance of musical work that makes its debut as one of the finest albums of the year 2022. There are plenty of similarities that illustrate the style of Obtained Enslavement albums “Witchcraft” and “Soulblight” which recreates the same magical feel.
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I was very pleased to hear that Dawn of Solace released a EP with some acoustic versions of their new songs. I admittedly just found them a few months ago, through Kaunis Koulematon, where when I first saw them live I immediately fell in love with Mikko's clear vocals. As some of you maybe already know, I absolutely adore acoustic records, so I just new I had to check out this EP.
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In the last few years, the Finnish underground black metal scene has presented a number of promising bands like Mooncitadel, Ymir, Faustian Pact, and Morgal. Moonlight Sorcery is yet another fine example of this sub-genre, formed in 2018 by Ruttomieli (vocals), Haaska (rhythm guitar), and, Loitsumestari Taikakallo (lead guitars and bass). The first thing to thrill you about the band’s debut EP “Piercing Through The Frozen Eternity” is the frozen landscape of ice and medieval castle as if the moon outshines the pine trees on all sides of this beautiful painting which portrays a sense of winter.
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French, atmospheric black metal Avant-Garde collective Blut Aus Nord returns with their 14th opus 'Disharmonium - Undreamable Abysses', out via Debemur Morti Productions on May the 20th. Taking the audience beyond the domains of black metal Blut Aus Nord traverses deep into the realm of horror. Much like its predecessor 'Hallucinogen', the music navigates through the dark unearthly harmony. The bizarre cosmic opera comprises supernatural themes where the music utterly transcends, with eldritch screams and dreadful female chants, enhancing the atmosphere.
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On June 3 2022, Killswitch Engage released the live show they played at the Palladium venue in Worcester – Massachusetts, their home town during the pandemic. This venue is special due to a number of reasons. The bands first show in 1999 was played there, their DVD "(Set This) World Ablaze” in 2005 was recorded there, Jesse Leach’s first show when he rejoined the band in 2012 was played there, and now, this DVD.

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Wisconsin death metal act Viogression makes a surprising return with its third full-length album aptly titled “3rd Stage of Decay”. Among the vast talented bands of New York and Florida, Viogression's debut album “Expound and Exhort” was coined in the spirit of early Obituary kudos to vocalist Brian DeNeffe. The musical styling of the band remains the same as early material if not powerful, “3rd Stage of Decay” is reminiscent of the classic death metal bands like Morbid Angel, Pestilence, and Asphyx. The current lineup features the old-time vocalist Brian DeNeffe, guitarist Matt Holtz, drummer Duane Timlin, and bassist Jason Hellman.
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Just four months since releasing the 5th album “Worship The Eternal Darkness” Finnish death/black metal act Archgoat made a swift return, the new EP “All Christianity Ends” consists of four new tracks that see the band returning to the classic era of their early demos like "Angelcunt (Tales of Desecration)”. The raw quality of the production reveals the ancient elements of war metal in its most bestial and brutal sound. While the trio had termed the old school style the latest EP brings back the demonic atmosphere of the 80’s primitivism, the songs set across the mid-riffing tempos where they managed to display the slower sections.
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Having forged supreme black metal music for three decades, Swedish black metal act Lord Belial has made a great comeback album after fourteen years of silence. Lord Belial brought attention to the Scandinavian scene through the shimmering qualities and the aggressive trademark introduced on the debut album 'Kiss The Goat (Sic Transit Gloria Mundi'). With landmark albums like 'Enter The Moonlight Gate' and 'Unholy Crusade' Lord Belial became a force to be reckoned with. Despite the lineup changes the band progressed and continued to released excellent outputs mid-career. The 9th album 'Rapture' reunites the siblings Micke Backelin (drums), Thomas Backelin (guitars, vocals) and Niclas Pepa Green (guitars).
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Formed almost one decade ago the San Antonio-Texas-based four-piece band Haunter has sown the seeds of success in its third full-length album 'Discarnate Ails' out via Profound Lore Records on May 6th, 2022. In fact, the U.S. quartet of Mark Cruz (drums), Enrique Bonilla (guitars), Bradley Tiffin (vocals, guitars), and Cole Tucker (bass) have generally evolved from a screamo band to death metal. The sequence of such progress in sound now shows great features in style by utilizing the progressive guitars to create ominous landscapes.
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