Album Reviews

Canada’s death metal titans Ex Deo's musical orientation coursed in the concept of theatrical and symphonic death metal was branded in the modern sound with the band’s 2009 debut album “Romulus”. However, the success of the side project of Kataklysm’s frontman Maurizio Iacono certainly forged an impressive sound that often recalls acts such as Septic Flesh and Fleshgod Apocalypse.
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Grima has found itself on the atmospheric spectrum of black metal and showcasing everything the band has stood for since its formation. The vehemence emits the cold austerity of rawness. The fuzz-icy guitars take the spotlight, encapsulating a somber mood and allowing the melodies to convey the essence of beauty. Grima returns to lay the groundwork for their career with an impressive album, “Nightside” out via Napalm Records on February 28th, 2025, is atmospherically and blisteringly melancholic in its form.
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The follow-up album from Vancouver, British Colombia-based death metal quartet Grave Infestation provides a real expectation for fans of death and doom metal. The sophomore release “Carnage Gathers”, was via Dark Descent Records on February 28th, 2025.
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Avantasia's 10th studio album is set to release on February 28, 2025. It carries the name 'Here Be Dragons' and features a huge dragon on the cover. It looks very cool, and I'm eager to hear the story that's told on this one. Let's check it out!

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Ready for some time travel? Yes? Okay, then listen to this great album! After the drilling sound that acts as the intro for the opening song 'Drill Into The Brain' you will not be able to say if this album is from 1985 or from 2025. Even though HIRAX look back on 40 years of band history, 'Faster Than Death' is only their sixth (6!) long player.
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After releasing three albums, the Finnish purveyors of pagan black metal Havukruunu return with new album “Tavastland” out via Svart Records on February 28th, 2025. The fourth studio album is based on the ancient story of Tavastland and the events that took place in 1237 about the rebellion of the Tavastians against the Church, driving the popes naked into the frost to die. As such, the album offers the primeval spirit of Havukruunu and the longing menace of folk melodies, blistering guitar solos, and glorious riffs that harken to the past.
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Retromorphosis is a hybrid technical death metal outfit born from the ashes of Spawn of Possession, Obscura, and Necrophagist. The debut full-length album “Psalmus Mortis” is probably the most complex record the death metal scene could offer this year, the line-up is amassed by Jonas Bryssling (guitar), Dennis Röndum (vocals), and Christian Muenzner (guitar), Erlend Caspersen (bass), and KC Howard (drums).
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Copenhagen-based death metal group Phrenelith has been one of the top-tier bands in the underground metal scene. Their third installment “Ashen Womb” sets an approach to a cadaverous and rotting death metal sound that creates a captivating musicianship. Emerging from the ancient crypts; Phrenelith molds their sound into domains closer to Finnish death metal. Denmark has become a hotbed for many acts like Undergang, Hyperdontia, Sulphurous, Chaotian and many more.
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Formed in 2005 as Tuomas Saukkonen's creative outlet, Dawn Of Solace quickly established itself with their debut album, "The Darkness" (2006). Despite a hiatus due to legal complications the band's loyal fan base remained keeping the flame alive. 2019 marked a new beginning when finally all obstacles to continue the band were overcome followed by a new release "Waves" (2020) and "Flames Of Perdition" (2022) and now to be released their new album called "Affliction Vortex".
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London’s Mutagenic Host delivered its debut full-length album “The Diseased Machine” via Memento Mori on January 3rd, 2025. As newcomers to the death metal arena, they meet the current new wave death metal bands in the U.K. Mutagenic Host’s album is a welcoming start to the year; their sound is a brutal affair of buzz-saw riffs, and the songs are intense and aggressive.
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