Sentynel and Twelve hit the streets with their Top Ten(ish) of 2025. You should read all about them.
Apocalypse Orchestra
Who Are These Clowns and Where Did They Put My Flesh Stapler? The AMG Staff Pick Their Top Ten(ish) of 2025
The AMG Staff Lists are ready for review, examination, and ultimately, rejection.
Völur & Cares – Breathless Spirit Review
“”Avant-garde doom metal from Canada. Do I really need to say more to pique your interest?” So said I a little under five years ago, closing out my Things You Might Have Missed feature for Völur’s Death Cult. The Toronto-based project launched itself to the top of my end-of-year list in 2020, owing to their expert fusion of an impressive blend of sounds and genres primarily rooted in doom metal. Wielding the violin like a sledgehammer, Death Cult featured intelligent, clever compositions that really impressed me in 2020. Now, at last, they’re back for their fourth full-length, Breathless Spirit, with one key change: a collaboration with Cares—UK/Canadian producer James Beardmore.” Caring a lot.
Apocalypse Orchestra – A Plague upon Thee Review
“I love Apocalypse Orchestra. When I first came across the Swedish group in late 2017 via their debut, The End is Nigh, our connection was instant—doom metal and folk metal fused together under a medieval lens, boasting lyrics that suggested a genuine effort for historical accuracy. The End is Nigh still makes the strongest claim of any album I’ve heard for the tag of “medieval metal,” and is one of my favorite doom metal albums. I’ve waited patiently for nearly eight years, and, finally, Apocalypse Orchestra are releasing their sophomore full-length, A Plague upon Thee, in which they continue their carefully treaded way down the dismal course of medieval European history.” A trip through dark ages.
Grylle – Egrotants, Souffreteux, Cacochymes, Covidards Review
“It should come as no surprise that I’m a fan of Hyvermor and Antiq Records. He’s the co-owner of the label and has been a part of several projects that I love. Grylle is perhaps the least ‘metal’ of these projects, and also the folkiest, leaning fully into the medieval themes that serve Hyvermor and Antiq Records so well. Boasting an impressive lineup of guest musicians on all kinds of fun instruments, Egrotants, Souffreteux, Cacochymes, Covidards is the third full-length release from Gylle, and is, as per usual, a treat to explore.” 🎶 Bravely bold sir Robin, rode forth from Camelot… 🎶
![Völur – Death Cult [Things You Might Have Missed 2020]](https://www.angrymetalguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/074243-768x768.jpg)
Völur – Death Cult [Things You Might Have Missed 2020]
“Völur is a thing that I too nearly missed this year. The Canadian folk/doom trio received a strong recommendation from Akerblogger some years ago, and returned this year to unleash their third full-length, Death Cult, upon the Angry Metal Masses this past November. Unfortunately, life got in the way, and the album was never picked up for review. Now I’m here to rectify the issue, because as far as doom metal goes, Death Cult is one of the best albums I’ve heard in some time.” Drinking the Kool-Aid.
![Véhémence – Par le Sang Versé [Things You Might Have Missed 2019]](https://www.angrymetalguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/véhémence-par-le-sang-versé-01-768x722.jpg)
Véhémence – Par le Sang Versé [Things You Might Have Missed 2019]
“Medieval black metal. I barely know what the phrase means, but the concept is absolutely drenched in potential, and not the kind I can easily resist. For today’s thing you may (or may not) have missed, the conceptual and instrumental depth of Apocalypse Orchestra meets the sweeping, majestic anger wielded by Obsequiae, with bits of extra influence here and there from the French black metal scene. Joining said scene, Véhémence’s sophomore effort, Par le Sang Versé seeks to bring the past to vivid life in a powerful display of—what was it again?—Medieval. Black. Metal.” Ye olde blackness.
Tanzwut – Seemannsgarn Review
“So there I am, minding my own business, taking a casual stroll through the Angry Metal Promo Pit when a certain Tanzwut catches my eye. There’s the name, of course, but more importantly, the tagline: “medieval rock,” they use to describe themselves. Now, the last time I heard “medieval” applied to a style of metal, the album was The End is Nigh, the band was Apocalypse Orchestra, and my Album o’ the Year was thus. So if you tell me you play “medieval rock” and you have two bagpipers in your band, well, what can I say? I’m in.” Bag men.
