ALBUM REVIEW: Fractal Universe – The Great Filters


French Prog Metal band Fractal Universe poses some interesting questions regarding this sub-genre of Metal on their new album, The Great Filters (M-Theory Audio).

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ALBUM REVIEW: Warfield – With The Old Breed


A common lesson we’re all taught at some point is to never judge a book by its cover. There are times, however, when it’s actually perfectly acceptable to do just that. Especially when talking about three-piece Thrash Metal bands from the mainland of Western Europe. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Fleshspoil – The Beginning Of The End


Fleshspoil not only features the former drummer of Arsis but finds them attacking the Blackened Death Metal subgenre, with a catchier take than most. Their debut album The Beginning of the End finds their dissonant mix of atmosphere and thrashing striking a soothing discordance. They do not attack your ears with a bludgeoning hammering, but there is nuance to their intricate songwriting that holds the technical aspect of their sound check This album is produced in a manner that makes it sound like it came out twenty years ago, which plays to their favor.Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: David Judson Clemmons – Everything A War


Those who dwell in these dark territories of underground Rock and Metal, of the noisy, the abrasive, the alternative, and the avant-garde are not always so open to big anthemic hooks. Sometimes our reaction to music that dares to rouse the spirits and attempt to soar can be somewhat dismissive. But let us not entirely close our ears and our hearts to hope, because sometimes in the right hands, the results of such sincere passions can be glorious and in the case of Everything A War (7 People Records/ Village Slut)—the latest record by former Prog-Metal frontman David Judson Clemmons (previously of Damn The Machine)—glorious is exactly what they are. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Deafheaven – Lonely People With Power


Since their inception, Deafheaven have always been that band not to show where they’re going next. After releasing what some could consider their magnum opus in Sunbather (Deathwish Inc.), the band did not let that define the band they would become. Only two years later, they’d return with the far more moody New Bermuda (Anti Records/Epitaph Records). This would continue for the career they’d lead up to this point, especially in their previous efforts, Infinite Granite (Sargent House), taking the band from the Blackgaze sound they had cultivated and popularised, in search of a lighter, synthier approach. That brings us to the modern day, and it seems for all the teasing the band have done over the lead-up to their new project, Lonely People With Power, their debut release in their new deal with Roadrunner Records. This appears to be a culmination of what’s come before in one solid package, how these conflicting sounds will come together and meld is a completely different matter altogether.Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Bloodywood – Nu Delhi


With a pair of studio albums under their belt (including 2022’s magnificent work Rakshak), Metalcore/Indian-inspired Folk/Hip-Hop standouts Bloodywood have both carved out a bit of a signature sound whilst also leaving room to continue experimenting and injecting flair and originality into their work.Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Cradle Of Filth – The Screaming Of The Valkyries


It’s quite astonishing that fourteen albums and thirty-four years into their career, Goth metal act Cradle of Filth are yet to produce something that could be overwhelmingly described as poor. At the top end of the scale we’ve got classics like Dusk and Her Embrace, Cruelty and the Beast, and Midian but at the other end, it’s more a case of least best, rather than worst with not a single St. Anger in sight. Some bands barely get to release two albums without the first rumblings of discontent but while hardcore black metal fans might still turn their noses up, the fact is that Cradle is as popular now as they’ve ever been. And it’s been that way for years. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Spiritworld – Helldorado


If you believe Hardcore has little to offer outside of the fairly narrow musical alleyway it usually occupies then today might just be the perfect time to take a listen to SpiritWorld. Combining Country Music and bedazzled outfits with Punk aggression and Thrash Metal riffs, the Las Vegas act are a sight to behold and they return with a vengeance on third full-length album Helldorado (Century Media Records).

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ALBUM REVIEW: Imperial Triumphant – Goldstar


Innovative avant-garde trio Imperial Triumphant are back, and once again the sprawling metropolis of New York City provides the backdrop. Showing the opulence, greed and decadence of the rich and shameless as a stark contrast to the grime and squalor of the less privileged is something the band already has down to a fine art but sixth full-length studio release Goldstar (Century Media Records) manages to refine it even further.Continue reading