Feb26

Harrowed – The Eternal Hunger Review

By Owlswald on February 27, 2026 in Reviews, Death Metal, 25 comments

“I’ve kicked off this year with a good old-fashioned death binge. My putrid immersion has taken me around the world so far: first to Chile, then across the Pacific to Australia, and now back across continents to Sweden. Next up is Stockholm-based duo Harrowed. Consisting of dual-threat drummer and vocalist Adam Lindmark (ex-Morbus Chron) and guitarist/bassist Tobias Alpadie (VAK and former live guitarist for Tribulation), the pair linked up through a past project to pay homage to the SweDeath sounds of olde.” Death comes back to Sweden.

Rozario – Northern Crusaders Review

By Holdeneye on February 27, 2026 in Reviews, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, 60 comments

“I reach down and grasp a promising prospect. Pieces of congealed n00b meat and 16-year-old promo remains fall from the cover, revealing a band name that sounds like some guy’s last name and a photo of several dudes in various tough-guy poses. I smile, allowing myself to hope that I’ve found what I’m looking for. Further investigation reveals Rozario’s Northern Crusaders to be a 50-minute-long heavy/power metal album, and I tell myself that this has 2.5 written all over it. Yep, this’ll do.” Kinks of the North.

Templar – Conquering Swords Review

By Steel Druhm on February 26, 2026 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, 47 comments

“There’s a burgeoning old school 80s trve metal movement growing these days, with more and more young bands longing to sound really olde. Steel is there for that, as it speaks directly to his ancient bones. A good number of these retro sword-swinging acts seem to be coming out of Sweden of late. We covered Century’s Sign of the Storm last year, and here comes Templar with their Conquering Swords debut, which was produced by Century’s Staffan Tengnér. As a fan of conquest and swords (and that awesome van-worthy cover art), I’m the target audience for this early 80s throwback insanity.” Room & sword.

Lovebites – Outstanding Power Review

By Grin Reaper on February 26, 2026 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, 132 comments

Japanese power metal maestros, Lovebites dropped their latest album, Outstanding Power and certain AMG staffers decided it merited a double review. Let the love nibbles commence.

Full House Brew Crew – Glasgow Grin Review

By ClarkKent on February 25, 2026 in Reviews, Groove Metal, Metalcore, 12 comments

“What do you get when you mix a popular American ’80s sitcom, a ragtag group of brewers, and the Scottish term for the cut to the face of Heath Ledger’s Joker? Apparently, some Greek groove metal. Since Vagelis Karzis (former live bassist for Rotting Christ) formed Full House Brew Crew, in 2009, the band has had a fairly consistent lineup. They’ve also been somewhat consistent with album releases, as Glasgow Grin marks their fifth, though there was a seven-year gap between their second, Bet it All (2011), and third, Me Against You (2018).” Beer me?

The Magus – Daemonosophia Review

By Holdeneye on February 25, 2026 in Reviews, Black Metal, Heavy Metal, Melodic Black Metal, 39 comments

“The Magus is the eponymous band of The Magus himself. At times known also as ‘Morbid,’ ‘Magus Wampyr Daoloth,’ or even ‘George,’ the entity known as ‘The Magus’ is somewhat of a fixture in the history of Greek black metal. He contributed mightily to the scene by performing on the first two Rotting Christ full-lengths, founding both Necromantia and Thou Art Lord, and owning and producing at Storm Studio in Athens, the recording location for many of Hellenic black/death metal’s seminal records. In 2021, it was announced that Necromantia had “now descended into the Abyss” following the death of its co-founder, Baron Blood. Shortly after releasing that band’s swan song, The Magus announced the birth of The Magus as a vessel to express his Luciferian worldview.” Grand Magus?

Aeon Gods – Reborn to Light Review

By Killjoy on February 25, 2026 in Reviews, Power Metal, Symphonic Metal, 27 comments

“When it comes to the vast pantheons of mythological figures, Aeon Gods is clearly interested in the most powerful. Their 2024 debut album, King of Gods, expounded upon the mighty deities of Mesopotamia with plenty of power metal bombast. Now, less than 18 months later, this German five-piece turns their attention to ancient Egypt. Specifically, Reborn to Light orbits the sun god Re (more commonly known today as Ra).” Gods and Suns))).

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.

Unmother – State Dependent Memory Review

By Tyme on February 24, 2026 in Reviews, Black Metal, Post-Metal, 17 comments

“Independent U.K. undergrounder’s, Unmother, have been holding a mirror up to urban dystopian dehumanization since forming in 2019. Their 2021 debut, Lay Down the Sun, garnered significant underground acclaim that, according to the promo kit, established Unmother “as a restless and forward-thinking presence within the scene.” Foregoing the nature-scapes and mythological motifs of other post-black metal outfits, Unmother draws inspiration from the streets and, with their sophomore effort, State Dependent Memory, examines “urban isolation, inner dislocation, and moral decline, reflecting a world formed by concrete environments and social erosion.”” Rough parenting.

Necrofier – Transcend into Oblivion Review

By Creeping Ivy on February 23, 2026 in Reviews, Black Metal, Melodic Black Metal, 30 comments

“Houston’s Necrofier first came on my radar when they played the 2024 Decibel Magazine Tour with Hulder, Devil Master, and Worm. Sadly, I missed their opening set, but gladly, I caught a recording of it on YouTube. Their raucous, crowd-pleasing performance compelled me to check out their recordings. At 36 minutes, debut Prophecies of Eternal Darkness (2021) is a lean, mean barrage of melodic black metal, while Burning Shadows in the Southern Night (2023) ups the ante with 47 minutes of stronger, more polished material. Necrofier’s (lone?) star seems to be on the rise since Decibel 2024, as their third album arrives on the mighty Metal Blade Records.” Necro is the new 6-7.