Album Reviews

Having the otherworldly sinister hallmark at the core of songwriting, Germany’s Lovecraftian cosmic blackened/death metal Sulphur Aeon upped its sonic creation that resonated with the literature art of H.P. Lovecraft. Following the third dreadful opus “The Scythe of Cosmic Chaos”, which marked its ominous entry to the fictional horror of the Cthulhu universe, the fourth album “Seven Crowns and Seven Seals” is released by Ván Records on October 13th, 2023. And is a gateway where the quintet transcendence beyond sublimity. With the enthralling elements expanding into the supernatural themes and eerily mysterious atmosphere, Sulphur Aeon reveals a groundbreaking sonic mastery that captures the listener’s imagination and wraps its scaly tentacles around them.
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Taubrą is a new black metal entity formed in Switzerland in early 2022 by guitarist and songwriter B. (AARA), drummer J. (AARA, Thron), and was later joined by the Norwegian vocalist R. (Dooms Vain, Ilhalung). In the Proto-Germanic language, Taubrą means “sorcery”. Musically the band’s debut album “Therizo” means reap or harvest however, the trio incorporates a raw black metal interpretation that burrows from Swedish bands such as Watain, Valkyrja, and other modern bands from the Scandinavian scene.
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Portland, Oregon-based death metal act Excarnated Entity debuted its first full-length album on September 8th, 2023, through Nuclear Winter Records. The band’s lineup consists of vocalist, and guitarist Dan Fried, lead guitarist Nick Strickler, bassist Rory Flay, and drummer Mike Stone. Excarnated Entity’s thunderous sound appears to have the classical old-school death/doom metal with a cavernous and low growling tone, the debut includes eight dreadful tracks that are incredibly heavy.
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Twixt sludgy death metal and obscure doom metal, Mexican four-piece Reverence to Paroxysm strike a chord by showing their inspiration to the likes of Rippikoulu, Rottrevore, Funebrarum, and Disma. The first full-length album “Lux Morte” was released by none other than Me Saco Un Ojo Records (vinyl) and Dark Descend Records (CD) on August 31, 2023.
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Dutch black metal horde Salacious Gods return with their newest album “Oalevluuk” on October 6th, 2023, via Hammerheart Records, making a solid return after eighteen years of absence. Originally formed in 1994 by the guitarist and songwriter Lezelzweard and with a strong lineup including veterans from bands like Kjeld, Lugubre, Gheestenland, Asregen, Iku-Turso, and others. The fourth album consists of nine tracks and crafted with a classic composition by skilled musicians such as Fjildslach (drums), Swerc (bass guitar), Lafawijn (vocals), and Njirrebrod (guitars).
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American black metal outfit Wolves in the Throne Room returns with a new EP release “Crypt of Ancestral Knowledge” released via Relapse Records on September 29th, 2023. If there is ever a personification of their sonic filigree that would personify the art of the trio and the charm of dark beauty that is drawn from nature-themed content, then the new outing simply describes the sublime craft that has been refined over the years.
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Finnish black metal stalwarts Moonlight Sorcery finally bring forth their first full-length album “Horned Lord of the Thorned Castle” released on September 29th, 2023, via Avantgarde Music. Heralding a new era of a hybrid style of symphonic power metal and the epic sound of wintry black metal, Moonlight Sorcery successfully managed to raise the bar high for its new achievement. Following the release of the two EP’s “Piercing Through the Frozen Eternity” and “Nightwind: The Conqueror from the Stars” which was released earlier this year, the trio were focusing on their first studio album to cause a huge stir.
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Black Stone Cherry have their eighth studio album, 'Screamin' At The Sky', set for release on Friday 29th September. After a rather not so hard and heavy styled album, we are very curious what the new album will bring. Back to the roots? Still softer and more melodic? Something completely new? Let's find out.
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Toronto-based death metal outfit Tomb Mold finds its niche with the surprising release of the fourth album “The Enduring Spirit” which was digitally released on September 15th, 2023 out of nowhere. The physical copies are slated for release date on October 13th via 20 Buck Spin. Now evolving into a high-tech Sci-Fi kind of death metal, Tomb Mold’s fourth chapter seems to be the second attempt to navigate further into the realms of cosmic space.
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Mexican death/groove grindcore cartel Brujeria is back with fifth album “Esto Es Brujeria” out now via Nuclear Blast. Established in 1989 Brujeria was one of the first Latin American bands to be influenced by British styled death/grind. In the newest album which features sixteen tracks the band initiates their savage comeback with a vile attitude moreover, the lineup includes four original members Juan Brujo (vocals), Fantasma (vocals), Hongo (bass guitar), Pinche Peach (vocals), and a slew of other musicians from bands such as Criminal, Lock Up, and Carcass.
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