Album Reviews

Imbibing mystic knowledge of the Greek myths, Hellenic occult black metal masters Varathron returns with themes of mystery and darkness. The seventh album “The Crimson Temple” released on December 1st, 2023, via Agonia Records, offers a detailed composition and is elaborated by their own craftsmanship. At the helm, for thirty-five years Stefan Necroabyssious (vocals), Achilleas C. (guitars, keyboards), Haris (drums), Sotiris (guitars) and, Stratos Kountouras (bass) achieve mastery of perfection in the Hellenic canon.
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Enshrined in the abysmal depths of underground death metal for more than a decade, the international quartet Cruciamentum delivers a sepulchral opus to their follow-up album “Charnel Passages”. The long-awaited sophomore release “Obsidian Refractions” out via Profound Lore Records on November 24th, 2023, sees Chris Eakes (vocals, bass guitar), Dan Rochester (guitars), Dan Lowndes (guitars, backing vocals) and, Matt Heffner (drums) returning from the yawning chasm.
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Probably the two biggest bands on 20 Buck Spin, Dream Unending, and Worm joined forces for a special split album titled “Starpath” and while the release date is slated for November 24th, 2023, the split album is now available for online streaming on multiple platforms like YouTube and Spotify. However, the split release promises fans to delve deeper into the doom-death metal spectrum, perfectly bringing the ultimate balance between Dream Unending’s brand of bluesy psychedelic touches and the semi-symphonic oeuvre of Worm’s blackened doom-death metal sound.
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Norway’s supreme death metal act Aeternus enters into its thirtieth year, standing like a staple in the top ranks of the Scandinavian elite bands. Their ninth album “The Philosopher” comes out via Agonia Records on November 17th, 2023. Aeternus finds a gloomy prospect which is encapsulated by cold grim riffing. With the leading member Ares (vocals, guitars) at the helm of a new era, the lineup includes Gorm (guitars), Phobos (drums) and Eld (bass guitar).
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Nita Strauss released her second album 'Call of the Void' on July 7th 2023. The title might sound rather depressing, but Nita explains that that is not its intention. It's not about jumping in a dark void, or being afraid of the dark or nothingness. It's about the feeling to be alive, and to take a jump to something new, even if you're scared. With that in mind, let's take a jump into Nita's new record.

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Virginia’s based-death metal band Left Cross finally returns with vengeance to plague us in the horrible themes of death and destruction. The sophomore “Upon Desecrated Altars” was released on November 10th, 2023, via Profound Lore Records. The dark murky quality of the nine songs plus intro is emphasized by the macabre themes of war, whereas the cavernous quality is textured in the heavy guitar reverb and guttural growls. Left Cross was formed in 2014 and has released a number of EPs before the band released its 2017 full length album "Chaos Ascension".
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U.K.’s blackened death/doom metal act Strigoi released its brand-new EP “Bathed in A Black Sun” on November 3rd, 2023, through Season of Mist. The new outing contains four unreleased songs from the recording session of the band’s full-length album “Viscera” and one released track which was released on the album. There is a certain monolithic heaviness in the guitar tone and bleak darkness surrounding the music overall. Strigoi’s lineup includes Greg Mackintosh (guitars, vocals), Chris Casket (bass guitar), and Guido Zima (drums) and, Ben Ash (guitar) both made their appearance on the sophomore release.
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Sweden’s blackened death metal super group Night Crowned unveils their third studio album “Tales” out via Noble Demon Records on November 10th, 2023. The band comprises of former and current members from prominent acts such as Dark Funeral, and Cipher System, and while pushing the craft to the apex of melodic black metal, Night Crowned manages to captivate us with their blazing melodies and guitar hooks on their newest craft.
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After a four-year hiatus, California’s death metal super group Vastum brings back its vile cavernous filth style of death metal, “Inward to Gethsemane” which is the band’s fifth album is slated for a release date on November 10th 2023. Featuring members from Acephalix, Mortuous, Necrot, and Ulthar, the new album contains seven tracks that follow the monolithic template of Vastum’s vicious sound.
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International melodic death metal horde Berzerker Legion is back with the second full-length album “Chaos Will Reign” out now via Listenable Records on October 27th, 2023. The band’s lineup features prominent musicians such as vocalist Jonny Pettersson (Wombbath, Massacre, Heads for The Dead), guitarists Tomas Elofsson and Alwin Zuur (Asphyx, Gods Forsaken, and Grand Supreme Blood Court), bassist Fredrik Isaksson (Dark Funeral) and drummer James Stewart (Decapitated, Bloodshot Dawn).
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