ClarkKent

Opia – I Welcome Thee, Eternal Sleep [Things You Might Have Missed 2025]

By ClarkKent on January 5, 2026 in Things You Might Have Missed 2025, Doom Metal, Gothic Metal, 18 comments

“This stunning debut comes to us via members from across the globe—from England to Spain to Czechia to Brazil. Despite somewhat limited experience between them, the sextet plays like they’ve been jamming together for decades. They bring an eclectic range of styles from their previous and current bands, from black metal to scatological heavy metal to melodic doom to gothic metal, in order to craft a gentle yet brutal piece of gothic doom metal. I would like to give a warm welcome to Opia and their powerful debut album, I Welcome Thee, Eternal Sleep.” Sleep in the void.

Atlantic – Timeworn [Things You Might Have Missed 2025]

By ClarkKent on December 7, 2025 in Things You Might Have Missed 2025, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, Post-Metal, 40 comments

“The picture I have in my head of Ireland is an isolated, yet calming, place by the sea. Callan Hoy, from the western coastal town of Galway, further cements this image on the debut record of his atmospheric post-black project, Atlantic. It’s apparent that the setting is important to Timeworn, as crashing waves not only begin and end the album, but they make frequent appearances throughout. This gives the feeling that Hoy recorded Timeworn right along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean.” Time, tides, trems.

Doubtsower – The Past Melts Away with a Sneer Review

By ClarkKent on November 29, 2025 in Reviews, Avant-Garde, Doom Metal, Experimental Metal, Funeral Doom, Industrial Metal, Sludge Metal, 12 comments

“It’s amazing how quickly November, and my month of doom, has flown by. It seems the constant exposure to slow-paced music has made the days move faster, not slower. For my final November doom promo, what could be more appropriate than one described as “one long song funeral doom?” While the Welsh doom band containing this descriptor, Doubtsower, is new to me, the man behind the project, Matt Strangis, has three previous releases dating back to 2021.” Doubt is a doom killer.

Old Night – Mediterranean Melancholy Review

By ClarkKent on November 20, 2025 in Reviews, Doom Metal, 14 comments

“Loneliness is a theme ripe for the sadboi genre, and given the epidemic of loneliness in our modern era, it’s a relatable one. Yet Croatian doom outfit, Old Night, tackles a more obscure topic on Mediterranean Melancholy—lighthouse keepers. This record marks the quintet’s fourth since forming ten years ago, and it’s the first with Ivan Hanžek stepping up as lead vocalist, following the departure of his brother, Matej, who left for personal reasons. Sadboi doom is typically ape fodder, as evidenced by the glowing review for Dawn of Solace earlier this year, yet somehow this ended up in my lap.” Night and the melancholies.

Tempestuous Fall – The Descent of Mortals Past Review

By ClarkKent on November 14, 2025 in Reviews, Funeral Doom, Symphonic Metal, 16 comments

“In 2012, Australia’s Dis Pater released the debut record for his third active—at the time—one-man project: The Stars Would Not Awaken You by Tempestuous Fall, a work of epic funeral doom. The following year, Pater released what might be the strangest split I’ve heard of: a three-way between his own active projects. It ended up being a “[three] men enter, one man leaves” kind of deal, with Midnight Odyssey being the lone survivor. In that time, he has contributed to several other bands, from a Greek black metal group, Kawir, to a Slovakian black metal group, Aeon Winds, as well as a whopping nine LPs for Midnight Odyssey. Yet something about the funeral doom of Tempestuous Fall must have called Pater back. Backed by classical symphonic elements, it turns out he had rather ambitious goals for sophomore album, The Descent of Mortals Past.” Fall of mortal hearts.

Burned in Effigy – Tyrannus Aeternum Review

By ClarkKent on November 11, 2025 in Reviews, Death Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Neo-Classical Metal, 20 comments

“On their debut, Rex Mortem, the king was dead, but on Burned in Effigy’s sophomore effort, Tyrannus Aeternum, the king is now eternal. Their brand of neo-classical melodeath impressed Holdeneye three years ago—he hailed the debut as a mix of “brutal and beautiful.” However, he showed a rare moment of restraint in scoring Rex Mortem just shy of the vaunted 4.0, and plenty of commenters felt it should have earned that extra notch. Melodeath acts are a dime a dozen, and they don’t always successfully elevate themselves above the generic. So when Burned in Effigy infused their songs with virtuoso-level guitar melodies that emulated classical compositions, they quickly rose above the pack.” Burning up the rankings.

Oromet – The Sinking Isle Review

By ClarkKent on November 6, 2025 in Reviews, Funeral Doom, 28 comments

“‘Tis the season. No, not the holidays. ‘Tis the season for doom and gloom, at least here in southeastern Michigan, where the days have grown shorter, clouds are overcast, the temps have dropped, and the trees have lost just about all of their colorful leaves. To celebrate this season, I have decided to review nothing but doom for the month of November. First up is the sophomore album from Sacramento, California’s Oromet, The Sinking Isle.” November’s doom.

Serpent God – Denial Review

By ClarkKent on October 29, 2025 in Reviews, Death Doom, Doom Metal, Melodic Metal, 3 comments

“The digital era, where a band can release singles or EPs at a whim, seems to have tossed aside the concept of a B-sides compilation record. These albums consist of tunes that, for whatever reason, just didn’t make the cut on the main LP. This isn’t necessarily because those songs are bad. System of a Down’s Steal this Album! is, in my mind, just as much fun as their regular studio releases, and The Masterplan by Oasis is widely considered one of their best. Denial, the debut from Finland’s Serpent God, owes its existence to such B-side material, albeit from a different band: Se, Josta Ei Puhuta.” Snakes in new/olde skins.

Elettra Storm – Evertale Review

By ClarkKent on October 26, 2025 in Reviews, Hard Rock, Power Metal, 15 comments

“Italy has a well-established power metal scene, particularly the ostentatious Rhapsody of Fire and the dazzling Frozen Crown. Looking to make a foothold in this scene is Elettra Storm with the release of their sophomore album, Evertale. While it may look like a strange word for those not fluent in Italian, Elettra comes from the Greek mythological figure, Electra/Elektra. It also serves as a root word for electricity, which helps explain both the odd-sounding band name and the storm surrounding the head of the woman on the cover. This quintet isn’t looking to reinvent the cheese wheel; they just want to write some catchy songs and give their lead singer, Crystal Emiliani, a chance to show off her pipes. Do they have that spark to set the power metal world on fire?” Tales of cheese and wonders.

Wings of Steel – Winds of Time Review

By ClarkKent on October 17, 2025 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, 44 comments

“I know what you’re thinking: how is it that ClarkKent is reviewing Wings of Steel instead of Steel Druhm? Believe it or not, he let me review it. After all, he’s not the only steel-named writer in these halls. For those not steeped in DC universe lore, my nickname is Man of Steel—though Steel, in his fatherly way, prefers to call me dumbass, like Red Forman in That ’70s Show. But I see symbolism in his gesture of letting me review this, like he’s taken me under his wings—of steel.” Steel on steel wiolence.