Rotting Christ

Full House Brew Crew – Glasgow Grin Review

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

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?

Ordeals – Third Rail Prayer Review

Ordeals – Third Rail Prayer Review

By Spicie Forrest on October 10, 2025 in Reviews, Black Metal, Blackened Death Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, 40 comments

“Sometimes called the live rail, the third rail runs alongside the New York City Subway tracks, carrying electrical current enough to power the trains’ motors—or kill those who accidentally touch it. In a political context, the term refers to subjects dangerous enough to ruin careers. I learned this while researching Ordeals’ debut album, Third Rail Prayer. This NYC trio formed in 2011 and released two EPs and a split in the 14 years since. Influenced by the Australian scene, Ordeals promises a serpentine, subterranean blend of black and death metal, garnished with quiet grandiosity. Will Third Rail Prayer jumpstart their burgeoning career, or are they dead on arrival?” Pizza rats and electrical blasts.

Nail By Nail – Embraced by Darkness Review

Nail By Nail – Embraced by Darkness Review

By Alekhines Gun on May 12, 2025 in Reviews, Black Metal, 19 comments

“German upstarts Nail By Nail have emerged seemingly out of nowhere, forming in 2023 with no customary demos or lead-up releases before presenting the world with their debut LP Embraced by Darkness. For once, I will skip the fluff and tantalizing lead-in and cut right to the punchline: This is a good album by a fledgling young band, and I am delighted to announce that it is worthy of your time.” Refluffless!

Nightfall – Children of Eve Review

Nightfall – Children of Eve Review

By Steel Druhm on May 2, 2025 in Reviews, Melodic Death Metal, 41 comments

“Greek oddballs, Nightfall have always been unpredictable and difficult to pigeonhole to any one genre or scene. Though they came out of the same scene as Rotting Christ and SepticFlesh, their style wandered over the map much more, flirting with Goth rock, melodeath and various shades of blackened traditional metal. Every time a new album appears, you go in not knowing what to expect. 2021’s At Night We Prey was a dark, brooding affair borrowing from Moonspell and SepticFlesh without fully abandoning their quirks and intrinsic weirdness. Children of Eve stays more or less in the same general vicinity, adding more Goth broth to the pot as they walk the edges of multiple styles.” Night moves.

Svneatr – Never Return Review

Svneatr – Never Return Review

By Dear Hollow on May 28, 2024 in Reviews, Black Metal, Industrial Metal, Melodic Black Metal, 20 comments

“2021’s Chinook was an impressive feat. While Vancouver’s Svneatr is undeniably second-wave, the album showcased and established a formidable blend of melody and riffage in a package wrapped in the tightly wound razor-wire frigidity you expect from black metal – reminiscent of Master’s Hammer or Vredehammer. Tracks like “Lavender,” “The Wind Stirs,” and “The Veins of the Earth” were some of the best tracks in the style that year with this dueling style, benefited by a rougher DIY aesthetic, even if some movements were lost in the fold. After three years, we are graced with Chinook,’s follow-up, Never Return.” Sunbathing, Svneating, just leave the Sun alone!

Aphotic – Abyssgazer [Things You Might Have Missed 2023]

Aphotic – Abyssgazer [Things You Might Have Missed 2023]

By Dolphin Whisperer on January 28, 2024 in Things You Might Have Missed 2023, Black Metal, Blackened Death Metal, Death Metal, 11 comments

“Abyssgazer presents as the kind of echoing incantation that must ring through ears from first to last note. No mere synthesis of the acts who fed Aphotic into existence, this sometimes blackened, sometimes funeral doom-weighted, always death metal assembly expresses itself in a peerless manner.” Abyss from a dead rose.

Varathron – The Crimson Temple Review

Varathron – The Crimson Temple Review

By Doom_et_Al on December 5, 2023 in Reviews, Black Metal, 24 comments

““Always respect an old man still playing in a young man’s game,” the saying goes. “There’s a reason they’re still around.” With that in mind, it’s curious how little attention Greek black metal stalwarts, Varathon, generally receive. Formed 35 years ago in an era when many AMG staff had not been conceived, and Steel Druhm still had hair, Varathon were instrumental in establishing the famous “Hellenic black metal sound.”” Olden dogs still bite.