Grin Reaper

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No/Más – No Peace Review

No/Más – No Peace Review

By Grin Reaper on March 10, 2026 in Reviews, Death Metal, 11 comments

“DC deathgrind ensemble No/Más formed almost a decade ago, pumping out a split, two EPs, and a full-length between 2017 and 2022. Four years later, No/Más assails 2026 from the jump, touring with Exhumed and Oxygen Destroyer as well as crackin’ skulls with their sophomore effort, No Peace. Stylistically similar to their debut Consume/Deny/Repent, No Peace offers listeners twenty-two minutes of throat-punching, toe-stomping aural hooliganism that’s as charming as it is confrontational.” Más effect.

Misotheist – De Pinte Review

Misotheist – De Pinte Review

By Grin Reaper on February 19, 2026 in Reviews, Black Metal, 47 comments

“Ever shrouded in mystery, the enigmatic collective Misotheist emerges from their icy realm to deliver succor to fans of metals black and arcane. De Pinte, the band’s fourth release, roughly translates from Norwegian to ‘The Tormented’ or ‘They Tormented,’ a fitting appellation given the Trondheim troupe’s fondness for tortured topics and twisted themes.” Miso kvlt!

Shine – Wrathcult Review

Shine – Wrathcult Review

By Grin Reaper on February 17, 2026 in Reviews, Black Metal, Blackened Death Metal, Death Metal, 12 comments

“Something must be in the water over in Poland, because the country churns out quality death metal like few others. The phrase ‘Polish death metal’ always grabs my attention, whether it’s technical like early Decapitated, thrashy à la Vader, or as blackened as Behemoth. Such was the case when I espied Shine’s Wrathcult lying unclaimed in the promo bin.” Hiding light under a cult bushel.

Scythe – Boiled Alive Review

Scythe – Boiled Alive Review

By Grin Reaper on February 13, 2026 in Reviews, Death Metal, 55 comments

“In the midst of a recent metal deep-dive, Romania’s Scythe skulked out from a Bandcamp back alley and bludgeoned me with the flat side of their blade, knocking me senseless with scuzzy shenanigans. We weren’t graced with a promo for Scythe’s self-released debut, but Boiled Alive packs in so much grimy panache that after my first listen, I had it shortlisted as someThing You Might Have Missed. Rather than wait several months before bringing attention to Boiled Alive, though, I volunteered to burn some midnight oil and write about this quartet from Constanța.” Get in the pot!

Mayhem – Liturgy of Death Review

Mayhem – Liturgy of Death Review

By Grin Reaper on February 4, 2026 in Reviews, Black Metal, 132 comments

“Mayhem’s reputation will forever be linked to their early days, inescapably tethered to the chaos of death. While it’s impossible not to acknowledge those grisly events when considering the band’s legacy, they detract from the unyielding musical vision Mayhem has etched into metal mythology. From the beginning, Mayhem has been at the forefront as one of black metal’s tastemakers and breath-takers. Over four decades in, Mayhem returns with Liturgy of Death—a fitting subject considering the band’s sordid origins and their penchant for metaphysical musings.” Never ending mayheming.

Turbo’s Tribunal – Mills of Tribunal Review

Turbo’s Tribunal – Mills of Tribunal Review

By Grin Reaper on January 30, 2026 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, 13 comments

“Melodic heavy metal outfit Turbo’s Tribunal heralds the arrival of Mills of Tribunal, hoping to light a fire that warms the dark recesses of our cynical hearts. Hailing from Denmark, Turbo’s Tribunal is the invention of mastermind and sole contributor Andreas Thunbo. Having toiled on demos, EPs, and splits over the last couple of decades, Mills of Tribunal presents Thunbo’s first full-length endeavor. Citing legendary acts like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Running Wild as creative touchstones, can Turbo’s Tribunal live up to the lofty expectations.” Turbo-tastic?

Carrion Vael – Slay Utterly Review

Carrion Vael – Slay Utterly Review

By Grin Reaper on January 15, 2026 in Reviews, Melodic Death Metal, Technical Death Metal, 65 comments

“Carrion Vael has cultivated an admirably consistent release schedule since dropping Resurrection of the Doomed in 2017. After unleashing follow-up God Killer in 2020, the Richmond, Indiana quintet has delivered big, veiny doses of muscular, technical melodeath every other year. Slay Utterly is Carrion Vael’s fifth load of unfettered aggression, slinging riffs that sparkle and crush in whiplashing frenzies. Though not explicitly billed as a concept album, Slay Utterly delves into tales morbid and macabre.” Carrion, my wayward son.

Dawn of a Dark Age – Ver Sacrum Review

Dawn of a Dark Age – Ver Sacrum Review

By Grin Reaper on January 7, 2026 in Reviews, Black Metal, 21 comments

“As 2025 winds to a close, the depleted promo pit growls with hunger, eager for the new year and a fresh bucket o’ chum. As I sift through the meager mid-December hopefuls, I detect a flash of black and silver. Snatching the promo, I discover clarinet-wielding Vittorio Sabelli and his project Dawn of a Dark Age, along with ninth album Ver Sacrum.” At the end of the year is the Dark Age.