Grymm

The beard knows who is trve.

Frozen Ocean – Askdrömmar Review

By Grymm on March 1, 2026 in Reviews, 19 comments

“One of the biggest challenges I’ve encountered as a music reviewer is trying to describe a band’s musical aesthetic when their discography is all over the place. Now, I know what you’re thinking: Blut Aus Nord, and you would be correct, but at least there’s an intangible thread connecting the various gnarled branches to their undulating, pulsing roots. Vaarwel, the mastermind and sole proprietor of Russia’s Frozen Ocean, takes his project to where it needs to be, and how he feels it should be delivered, musically.” Oceans of despair and dread.

Ennui – Qroba Review

By Grymm on February 24, 2026 in Reviews, 49 comments

“Got a question for you all: when’s the last time an album just absolutely, from out of nowhere, blindsided you and kept you enthralled for the entirety of its length on the first play? I don’t mean from your favorite bands (though that’s pretty damn cool, too), but from a completely out-of-left-field pick in the promo sump? Georgian funeral directors Ennui have been toughing it out with their craft since 2012’s Mze Ukunisa, with the then-duo working with what they had available. Now, the duo is a full-fledged band, and on their fifth album, Qroba, they hit graveyard paydirt.” Ennui for you and me.

Moon Mother – Meadowlands Review

By Grymm on February 6, 2026 in Reviews, Not Metal, 28 comments

“I grew up with a slew of friends who dabbled in the visual arts throughout the years. One in particular blew me away by stating that the greatest artists aren’t the masters of their trade in every aspect, but rather they know what they don’t have, or rather don’t need, to make a sizable impact. You don’t need to own the most expensive paint set, a wide array of colors at your disposal, or to fill up the canvas with stuff. You have to just create your vision with what you have, and let the negative space do the work for you. Swedish duo Moon Mother knows this. On their second full-length, Meadowlands, they paint a lush, aural landscape teeming with anguish, grief, and trauma, while also crafting a sense of wonder, peace, and a smidge of hope.” Marsh but fair.

Redivider – Sounds of Malice Review

By Grymm on January 8, 2026 in Reviews, Death Metal, 46 comments

“I’ve always wondered why there aren’t more bands that use palindromes as names. Think of the perfect symmetry you can get with your logo! While I’m not sure that’s what Louisville, Kentucky’s Redivider (complete with sharp, symmetrical logo!) was aiming for when they were coming up with a name, it does make them stand out in the field of bands with gory overtones, creative combinations of food/pain/sexual positions, or what-have-you.” Keep ’em separated!

Sigh – I Saw the World’s End – Hangman’s Hymn MMXXV [Things You Might Have Missed 2025]

By Grymm on December 9, 2025 in Things You Might Have Missed 2025, 58 comments

“Before we start… yes. Yes, we received I Saw the World’s End – Hangman’s Hymn MMXXV on time back when it was released this past June. There was a debate behind the scenes whether a complete remake of Sigh’s seventh full-length from 2007, Hangman’s Hymn, justifies a full-length review. At the end of the day, newer, current bands and releases that were created in 2025 needed precedence, and thus a remake of a classic album, one that many feel didn’t necessarily need one, took a backseat. In doing so, many people slept on it and decided to move on.” The Sigh swings high.

Lorna Shore – I Feel The Everblack Festering Within Me [Things You Might Have Missed 2025]

By Grymm on December 2, 2025 in Things You Might Have Missed 2025, Deathcore, 78 comments

“When we last heard from New Jersey’s Lorna Shore, they followed up the wave of attention they received during the pandemic with their song “Into the Hellfire,” showcasing not only their musical chops, but also the golden throat (and bangs) of one Will Ramos, with Pain Remains in 2022. Not only did the album further capitalize on their songwriting abilities and Ramos’ insane vocal talents, but it opened up a slew of headlining tours, closing festival slots, and untold amounts of fans.” MOAR Shore.

Today is the Day – Never Give In Review

By Grymm on September 30, 2025 in Reviews, Noise Metal, 18 comments

“When we last heard from noise mastermind Steve Austin and his legendary project, Today is the Day, it was with No Good to Anyone, a partly seething, partly mournful, and all-too-sincere portrait highlighting loss, despair, and anger that also possessed an undercurrent of hope. I dug the album considerably, and still view it as an album that should have, by all intents and purposes, brought new eyes and ears towards the band’s direction. Sadly, No Good to Anyone released in early 2020, just as the world was shutting down while Austin and company were on tour for that album. This would understandably send Austin into a depressive tailspin, but one he would claw his way out of, not only by re-opening his label, SuperNova Records, and buying back his entire catalog, but also with the middle finger to adversity and depression, Never Give In.” Never surrender to the day.

After Taste – Hungry For Life Review

By Grymm on June 5, 2025 in Reviews, Doom Metal, Hard Rock, 36 comments

“I’ll be the first to admit, right now, that I miss Type O Negative. Chances are that you do, too. When bassist/vocalist Peter Steele died in 2010, he and his merry cohorts of doom and lust left a massive, gaping hole in the world of metal that no one to this day could replace or replicate. That hasn’t stopped others from trying, however. After Taste, hailing from the Netherlands and featuring Dave Meester of God Dethroned on guitar and vocals, are the latest in a line of those who worship at the altar of Black and Neon Green.” Taste and blood types.

Yer Metal is Olde: Dark Tranquillity – Character

By Grymm on May 31, 2025 in Yer Metal Is Olde, Melodic Death Metal, 55 comments

“Once heralded as a promising hotbed of melodic death metal goodness, Gothenburg, Sweden wasn’t quite the same back in 2005 as it was in the mid-to-late 1990s. In Flames was busy chasing the nü-metal dream, trading twin guitar melodies and acoustic folklore and beauty for jumpsuits, dreadlocks, and simplistic riffage. At The Gates, once the spearhead of the entire Gothenburg movement, was long gone at that point, and wouldn’t reunite for another couple of years. It was up to Dark Tranquillity to put the city back on the map, and despite their own dalliances in moody goth territory, it would take 2002’s Damage Done to marry their trademark melodic sensibilities with their newfound love for electronic influences and dark motifs.” Damage merchants.

Sonus Mortis – Synapse the Hivemind Review

By Grymm on March 26, 2025 in Reviews, Melodic Death Metal, 21 comments

“Ever since I was awoken by the editorial staff here rap-tap-tapping on my coffin lid earlier this year, I’ve been 3 for 3 in terms of albums by one-person bands. Completing the hat trick this time around is Sonus Mortis, a prolific death/doom act navigated by one Kevin Byrne, who was originally the bassist for Irish upstarts Valediction before splitting off on his own. His eighth album in 12 years, Synapse the Hivemind sees Byrne tackling personal privacy in a world that’s continuously being overrun by A.I. and the all-seeing eye of the camera. But what interested me was that, despite the output, I’d never heard of Sonus Mortis before.” Alone but not quiet.