Exploding out of some cyberpunk world, Bangor, Maine Hard Rock three-piece Manic Abraxas have got their engines firing at full throttle, and on fourth album, Skinformation (Self-released), a petrol-fueled cloud of dirty Rock n’ Roll and skuzzy, mind-warped Metal sees the trio blasting a hole through the fabric of this universe into dimensions unknown.Continue reading
Tag Archives: Celtic Frost
ALBUM REVIEW: Darkthrone – It Beckons Us All
Darkthrone has been long associated with being “True Norweigan Black Metal” but has not made any attempt to adhere to this expectation of them since 2004’s “Sardonic Wrath”. Instead, the band has circled its wagons around crust punk and wandered off Celtic Frost worship. “It Beckons Us All…” (Peaceville Records) finds the band perfecting the traditional metal path they first embarked on with “The Underground Resistance”. Now 11 years later the duo of Fenriz and Nocturno Culto are done obsessing over their record collection and have focused on writing headbanging anthems that cold a touch of melody and mystery.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Coffin Storm – Arcana Rising
Formed in the forest hills of Norway, Coffin Storm comprises long-term friends Leif Nagell (aka Fenriz from Darkthrone), Jørgen Moe aka Apollyon (Aura Noir, Lamented Souls), and Olav Knutsen aka Bestial Tormentor (Infernö/Lamented Souls). Having known each other since the eighties, one of the most baffling things about this Kolbotn collaboration is that it’s taken so long to actually happen. But then again, when does Doom Metal ever feel the need to hurry?Continue reading
Listen to Dimmu Borgir Covering Venom’s “Black Metal” – New Covers Album Incoming
After their last two successful albums Abrahadabra and Eonian, Dimmu Borgir herald their 30-year legacy by releasing, together for the first time, a collection of their cover songs. The album Inspiratio Profanus is being announced with the release of the thunderous first single, ‘Black Metal’ by the extreme metal pioneers Venom. The album Inspiratio Profanus will be released on December 8th via Nuclear Blast Records. Pre-orders are live right now at the link below and you can now hear their cover of “Black Metal!”
Triumph Of Death Announce Their Debut Live Album Performing The Music of Hellhammer – “Resurrection Of The Flesh”
Triumph of Death – Photo by Roli
Triumph Of Death (Hellhammer, Celtic Frost, Triptykon) have announced their debut live album performing the music of Hellhammer! Resurrection Of The Flesh will release on November 10th! Continue reading
FESTIVAL REVIEW: Bloodstock Festival 2023 – Part 2
SATURDAY
With the weather nothing like the crispy oven-cooked hellfire of last year’s Summerpocalypse, Bloodstock is a much happier place this year, and not even the first downpour of the weekend can dampen the spirits. Especially as today is Corpse-paint Day where everyone is invited to daub themselves in black and white make-up and become angry badgers for the next few hours.
EP REVIEW: Portrayal of Guilt – Devil Music
On Devil Music (out now on Run For Cover Records) Austin, Texas three-piece Portrayal of Guilt up the ante with a thirty-minute barrage of inventively malevolent extreme metal, firmly achieving what they’ve hinted at on recent releases: greatness.
ALBUM REVIEW: Ripped To Shreds – 劇變 (Jubian)
The brainchild of guitarist/vocalist/everything-ist Andrew Lee, US death metal mob Ripped To Shreds has been tearing up the Californian underground scene since 2016 and shows no sign of slowing down with its third full-length studio release 劇變 (Jubian) (Relapse Records). Originally created as a solo project to increase the visibility of American-born-Chinese in extreme metal, the band now acts as a four-piece and flies that flag with just as much pride as before but to a larger audience.
ALBUM REVIEW: Sigh – Shiki
Four years after previous studio outing, Heir To Despair (Candlelight), Japanese avant-garde black metal act Sigh switch record labels once again and return with twelfth full length album Shiki (Peaceville). In their native language, the title translates into many different things such as ceremony, colour and motivation but the main themes present here are “four seasons” and “time to die”. A concept derived from a traditional Japanese poem, frontman Mirai Kawashima takes an existential approach to the seasons, watching cherry blossoms (a symbol of Spring) in full bloom while going through the Autumnal stage of his life with Winter just around the corner.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Molder – Engrossed in Decay
Molder ticks off a lot of my sonic checkmarks, but something isn’t quite right here. If Engrossed in Decay (Prosthetic Records) were a dish in its ingredients section you’d read that it contains Autopsy, early Death, Slayer, and a hint of vintage Carcass. Seems like a pretty appetizing meal, right? And there are several moments to sink your teeth into, but overall, I was left unsatisfied. I’ll still recommend the eatery, no doubt, but here’s to hoping that the next entre hits the spot.