2025 is fading in the rearview, but the Filters still need scrubbing. See what was left over after all the holiday debauchery.
Soulseller Records
Sepulchral – Beneath the Shroud Review
“I’m not at all well-versed on the Spanish death metal scene, but the descriptions for Sepulchral’s sophomore opus Beneath the Shroud intrigued me sufficiently to take a cautious flyer on them for a December review. End-of-year promo offerings are always a mötley stew of rejects, wannabes, never-weres, tricksy re-releases, and lo-fi basement black metal albums set to release on Christmas day, so I didn’t expect much. What I got was something interesting indeed. Sepulchral rock a very old school death metal approach with a prominent blackened streak that sometimes takes center stage.” Shroud and proud.
Stuck in the Filter: April 2025’s Angry Misses
The April Filters are now fully de-scuzzified. You can approach and examine the scuzz flotsam.
Nattverd – Tidloes Naadesloes Review
“Receiving the tag “workman-like” is one of the great “damned with faint praise” phrases in all of musicdom. Implying, as it does, that a band is competent and hard-working without being especially noteworthy or innovative. Yet “workman-like” is precisely the tag that Norwegian black metal band Nattverd have attracted, pushing out 3 respectable, if fairly standard, albums since 2020 (and 4 in total since their debut in 2017).” Searching beyond perma-frost.
Aran Angmar – Ordo Diabolicum Review
“The first time I gave Ordo Diabolicum, the third album from international outfit Aran Angmar, a full listen, I was in the car, ruing an upcoming 12-hour day at work. The sun beat down with mockery, telling me I should be at the beach. The skyline shimmered in radiant beauty, while the birds sang songs about how every day was a day off when you’re unemployed. Suddenly, the absolute bejeebus was scared out of me as an ambulance went screaming by, sirens blasting and throttle abused to such a melodic cacophony that I watched in atypical enthrallment as it careened between the traffic ahead and disappeared behind the second star to the right. Glancing down, I noticed the name of the song escorting the ambulance towards its destination: “Chariots of Death.”” Death rides a freeway into glory.
Sarke – Endo Feight Review
“Renowned black metal bassist and drummer Sarke has been one busy dude lately. Last year, we saw a new Tulus record, and 2024 releases from Khold and Sarke. Nocturno Culto has also been quite busy, not only participating in Endo Feight but also dropping a new Darkthrone record this year. While I enjoyed the recent offerings from Tulus and Khold, I was one of a few reviewers who did not enjoy Darkthrone’s It Beckons Us All……. Thankfully, Sarke is the mastermind of his creation, so there’s no fear that this year’s offering will be bad.” Endo morphing.
Khold – Du dømmes til død Review
“After being dormant for eight years, Khold surprised the masses in 2022 with their comeback album, Svartsyn. And boy did they come back in a big way—completely erasing 2014’s Til endes from my memory. Reformed with all the key players and even feistier than ever, these Norwegian giants had me so convinced of their greatest that they made it on old Grier‘s top-ten list. Nothing made me happier that year than hearing Gald’s signature snarl and Sarke’s punishing drum work. Hell, I would have been happy just to hear the album, much less love it the way I do. Two years later, it looks as if the band is sticking around because now we have this year’s Du dømmes til død.” You can’t spell Khold without “old”.
Blood Red Throne – Nonagon Review
“Three years ago, Blood Red Throne released a behemoth in the form of Imperial Congregation. After dozens of listens, it proves it’s one of the band’s greatest achievements. Fast forward to 2024, and they’re back with their eleventh LP, Nonagon. Continuing where they left off, Nonagon is a destructive motherfucker that incorporates the butchery of Panzerchrist, the relentless riffage of Old Man’s Child, and the melodic subtleties of Hypocrisy. But, no matter what’s sprinkled throughout, Nonagon remains 100% BRT.” Blood in the throne room.
Cardinals Folly – Live by the Sword Review
“What a gloomy place Finland must be to produce so much doom metal. While you’ve likely encountered the doom giants Lord Vicar, Spiritus Mortis, or Reverend Bizarre in your travels, it is within the murky depths of the Finnish doom underground that you might stumble upon Helsinki-based Cardinals Folly. The band’s press loves to point out their status as an underground band, which feels strange.” Doom for improvement.
Eternity – Mundicide Review
“I invite you to observe the album artwork for Eternity’s third record, Mundicide. I was immediately struck by its painfully and laughably literal depiction of humanity’s interaction with its planet, especially with the cute little arms physically sticking out the earth. In fact, it was for the reason of the art that one of my esteemed colleagues chose this record for my review. Eternity proffer Norwegian black metal with roots intertwined with black metal’s innovators,” Malaise is kvlt.
