As a result of years of persistence and hard work in exploring the immense depths of their own resonances, Jakarta-based post/sludge/power metal collective Amerta embarks on a new profound milestone through the release of their first full-length entitled Nodus Tollens (Self-Released). Through this release, this Indonesian multi-genre unit invites their listeners to venture on an enigmatic journey fueled by existential dread, contemplations, and the inner conflicts that mankind collectively faces against the banality of everyday chaos and mayhem in the form of an in-depth listening experience. Continue reading
Tag Archives: metal album reviews
ALBUM REVIEW: Tribulation – Sub Rosa In Æternum
The direction Tribulation heads on Sub Rosa In Æternum (Century Media Records) has been a long time coming. You can’t call a band goth without them eventually turning to the dark side. The Swedes started as a Death Metal band that flirted with the shadowy atmosphere, but never bore the Sisters of Mercy Halloween trappings they were credited with. Until this album. The sung vocals that open the first song solidify this; this may be the final step over this threshold for them. Johannes Andersson has sung on their previous albums in smaller doses, but this album finds him committed to it. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Moskitos – Mirage
Regarding psych rock, I have heard some of the best bands ever. They seem to come primarily from every place except for America. I have seen amazing bands from Sweden, Finland, Germany, and Spain. For the first time, I’m hearing a band from Cape Cod, South Africa. Moskitos have put Cape Town on the map as a new, untapped hub for psychedelic rock with their stellar debut album Mirage (The Good Times Co.) Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Nachtmystium – Blight Privilege
The problem with American Black Metal bands, is they are often comprised of Punk Rock kids from Brooklyn or any other hipster city, who appropriate the sonic aesthetics that work for their indie-rock sensibility lacking any sense of darkness. There are a few bands who have proved an exception Tombs, Weakling, and Nachtmystium. Blake Judd’s struggles with addiction are responsible for giving Nachtmystium its legitimacy his harrowing accounts of inner torment are far more intense than faux Satanism. After all, exorcising one’s demons can not be faked. Blight Privilege (Lupus Lounge) is Judd clawing his way back up from the abyss to make music again. This album might not be as experimental as his past work but it feels more honest.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Black Oak County – III
The world of Post-Grunge and Octane-Hard Rock is often looked down upon in the alternative scene with phrases like “buttrock” and “divorced-dad rock” now part of the common lexicon when referring to such highly esteemed bands like Nickelback and Shinedown. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Visions Of Disfigurement – Vile Mutation
When executed properly, Slam Metal can be a big ball of fun.
Animalistic vocals that sound inhuman; random yet recognizable memes and clips; and an overarching mood which breeds feelings of categoric annihilation.
ALBUM REVIEW: Bunuel – Mansuetude
mansuetude (noun) man·sue·tude ˈman(t)-swi-ˌtüd man-ˈsü-ə- -ˌtyüd :
the quality or state of being gentle : meekness, tameness
Have you ever met Eugene S. Robinson (vocalist and frontman for the thunderous Rock force that is Buñuel)? Have you indeed ever listened to Buñuel? Neither experience will likely have “meekness” being the first (or indeed within the first hundred) descriptives that come to mind. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Dirty Shades – Stuck in Motion
Hailing from France the Dirty Shades upholds the country’s legacy of birthing powerful atmospheric rock. Their new album Stuck in Motion (Modulor Music) offers a post-Hardcore punch to the dynamics as their sound swirls around you. They step on the gas at a few points in the opening track “Cannon Fodder” to keep the dynamics varied. Lead singer Anouk Degrande is backed by shouted accents where she allows her voice to wander off the swells of the guitar. The bass line anchors the second track “Mine,” as the ambiance thickens to a palm-muted groove buried in the layers. They build the song up into a heavier punch not unlike how Tool once commanded dynamics during the nineties. Continue reading
PODCAST: Episode 586 – The Power Hour – September Recap and Album of The Month with Keefy and Tom
Autumn is in the air and The Power Hour is back in effect! We look back at albums released in September 2024, and a forecast of new music out this month. Chief Editor Keefy is joined by new Ghost Cult Managing Editor Tom Osman. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Feral – To Usurp The Thrones – Transcending Obscurity Records
For reasons best known to themselves, some bands deliberately go out of their way to disguise their influences and inspirations. Feral are not some bands. One listen to To Usurp the Thrones (Transcending Obscurity Records) and everything is perfectly clear.Continue reading