The Icelandic music scene has always been an integral part of me that shaped my identity into the person I am today, ever since I was a middle schooler (which is also what got me into learning Icelandic at 12. Who on earth learns Icelandic at 12, in this economy?). The metal festival Eistnaflug and the multi-genre festival Iceland Airwaves have always been on my ongoing bucket list.Continue reading
Tag Archives: extreme metal
ALBUM REVIEW: Mamaleek – Vida Blue
If a single band were to personify avant-garde, Mamaleek have made as valiant a case as any for that honor. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Ulcerate – Cutting the Throat of God
On Cutting the Throat of God (Debemur Morti Productions) Auckland, New Zealand’s Death Metal three-piece Ulcerate continue to refine their musical representation of an exploding volcano raining down molten rock and laying waste to all below.
ALBUM REVIEW: Apes – Penitence
At this point, anything Extreme Metal that comes from Canada is sure to be a punishing, gruesome affair. It’s as automatic a thing as a Canuck apologizing for merely existing. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Red Rot – Borders Of Mania
Combining extreme music sensibilities and Doom-inspired vocal machinations, Red Rot have put forth their latest full-length, Borders Of Mania (Hammerheart Records), a fifteen-track compendium that oftentimes struggles to find an identity and isn’t helped by erratic song lengths that squelch any momentum that may have been built – the forty-four-minute effort could have been better served as two separate polished releases. There are serviceable characteristics here and there, but certainly not enough to justify the ambition. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Coffins – Sinister Oath
Sinister Oath (Relapse Relapse), the sixth full-length from Tokyo-based Coffins, is a measuring stick for the Death/Doom scene, providing an undeniable starting point for anyone looking to dip their toes into the genre, performers and fans alike. Continue reading
INTERVIEW: Gost (James Lollar) Discusses His “Prophecy” Album, Performing Live, and Touring
Ghost Cult Keefy caught up with James Lollar, aka Synthwave/Metal master Gost! His new album “Prophecy” is soon out on Metal Blade Records and we discussed his career, the differences between his recordings and live performances, touring, the music business, and more!Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Skeletal Remains – Fragments of the Ageless
On paper, Skeletal Remains should be on top of the mountain for many a Death Metal connoisseur. All the parts are here, really: plenty of double-kick drums, blast beats and screaming lead guitars to go around.
They’re even from California, and we all know how much of a gold mine the West Coast has been for extreme metal in the last four decades.Continue reading
TOP DEATH METAL ALBUMS OF 2023 by Through the Cracks of Death
His mind sundered by unimaginable horrors, Richard Benton’s psyche shatters into twenty pieces, each trapped in its own maze of nightmares more surreal than the last…
ALBUM REVIEW: Helfró – Tálgröf
The emergence of bands like Misþyrming, Svartidauði, Naðra, and Almyrkvi have helped build the foundation of the Icelandic extreme metal scene to come into existence. Aside from the said bands I mentioned, now here we have Helfró as a part of the rising forces of the Icelandic extreme metal scene as well, being the formidable force in the world of Blackened Death Metal that they are.