3.5

Nytt Land – Aba Khan Review

By Spicie Forrest on February 19, 2026 in Reviews, Folk, Not Metal, 27 comments

“I’d like to share my favorite fact about Nytt Land, the Siberian dark folk project from husband and wife, Anatoly and Natalia Pakhalenko. During my research for this review, I came across an old interview with Anatoly. He was discussing instrumental diversity on their then-upcoming release, ODAL. Of all the instruments Anatoly plays, the talharpa, an ancient Nordic bowed lyre, is his favorite. Do you know why it’s his favorite? BECAUSE HIS WIFE MADE IT FOR HIM. MADE IT. WITH HER OWN TWO HANDS.” DIY for REAL.

Sylosis – The New Flesh Review

By Lavender Larcenist on February 18, 2026 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, Metalcore, Thrash Metal, 37 comments

“Sylosis has been quietly plugging along in the background for years, a band that, in my anecdotal experience, many have heard of, but few listen to. When I go to shout about the greatness of albums like Monolith or Dormant Heart from the highest peaks, it seems to fall on deaf ears. No more, I say! Lead vocalist and guitarist Josh Middleton has led the band since Edge of the Earth. As the last remaining original member, he became the de facto songwriter and soul of a group that has seen many members over the years and near dissolution during Middleton’s time with Architects. After returning to Sylosis full-time, the band is on their third release in this latest era, The New Flesh.” All hail the new flesh!

Shine – Wrathcult Review

By Grin Reaper on February 17, 2026 in Reviews, Black Metal, Blackened Death Metal, Death Metal, 12 comments

“Something must be in the water over in Poland, because the country churns out quality death metal like few others. The phrase ‘Polish death metal’ always grabs my attention, whether it’s technical like early Decapitated, thrashy à la Vader, or as blackened as Behemoth. Such was the case when I espied Shine’s Wrathcult lying unclaimed in the promo bin.” Hiding light under a cult bushel.

Velothian – Mythic Dawn Review

By Mystikus Hugebeard on February 16, 2026 in Reviews, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, Folk Metal, 31 comments

“If, like me, you played a lot of the original Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2006), then you might agree that the game has a nigh unbeatable vibe. The densely forested hills rolling into the distance, the subtle call of a nearby Nirnroot, the grossly overconfident mudcrabs, the endearing jank of two townspeople conversing like they’ve only just discovered human language; it’s a distinctly cozy high fantasy setting that feels like home in a way few modern games could hope to replicate. Thus, I was excited to learn that Velothian, the epic post-black metal act that was previously featured on the 2024 EP Roundup for their Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind-themed EP Path of the Incarnate, now draws from Oblivion as inspiration for their debut full-length, Mythic Dawn.” Scroll goals.

Teutonic Slaughter – Cheap Food Review

By Andy-War-Hall on February 13, 2026 in Reviews, Thrash Metal, 13 comments

“Becoming a fully-fledged metalhead is when you stop associating German metal with Rammstein and start with Teutonic thrash. There’s something about Germany that just makes thrash metal meaner, dirtier, and nastier than anywhere else, and without Teutonic thrash, extreme metal would likely look very different from where it is today. Knowing and loving this heritage, Germany’s own Teutonic Slaughter throws their feather-capped hat into the ring with their third album, Cheap Food, brandishing both a ridiculous album cover and a conviction to maintain the glory of old school Teutonic thrash metal.” Eat, prey, leave.

Slaughterday – Dread Emperor Review

By Tyme on February 13, 2026 in Reviews, Death Metal, Doom Metal, 25 comments

“Longtime readers of AMG may remember the last time German OSDM stalwarts Slaughterday graced these digital pages. It was long enough ago that EPs were still getting the full-on review treatment, which enabled Slaughterday’s second release, Ravenous, to land a respectable 3.0/5.0 rating. What I was surprised to discover was the lack of any additional coverage, despite Slaughterday dropping three subsequent long players since then. Whether this fact boils down to a lack of promo or a lack of interest is irrelevant, considering I was able to wrestle Slaughterday’s newest offering of odorous offal, Dread Emperor, from the murkiest depths of the sump.” T.G.I.S.

Leatherhead – Violent Horror Stories Review

By Steel Druhm on February 12, 2026 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, Thrash Metal, 51 comments

“Steel is a sucker for a band trying their absolute best to bring back the bountiful glory of the 80s metal sound. Enter Greek retro fiends Leatherhead and their second full-length crusade, Violent Horror Stories. I happened to stumble upon their lead single “V.H.S” while scrolling on YouTube and mistook them for yet another thrash revival group, but I was mistaken. Though this is often speedy, high-energy stuff, it plays out more like a loving nod to the salad days of US power metal than any kind of beer and BO thrash-fest.” No sleep til leather.

Greyhawk – Warriors of Greyhawk Review

By Holdeneye on February 12, 2026 in Reviews, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, 40 comments

“What a week this has been for Seattle-based, Hawk-themed, team-oriented activities! Not only did I just get to see my beloved Seattle Seahawks reach the precipice of American football via the most awesome post-season arc I could have possibly drawn up, but I also get yet another opportunity to cover my beloved hometown metal heroes, Greyhawk. I’ve written ad nauseam about how I found the band and their brand of hard-rocking traditional metal, and I’ve routinely gushed my appreciation for their commitment to mind-positivity. Yes, it is safe to say that I am a total fanboy. So, it was with a fair bit of trepidation that I sat down with Greyhawk’s third full-length album, Warriors of Greyhawk.” Et tu, Hawk Tuah?

Petrale – Goat at Sunset Review

By Alekhines Gun on February 10, 2026 in Reviews, Black Metal, 42 comments

“Hailing from Croatia, one-man black metal project Petrale have arrived with some creepily straightforward artwork and an equally straightforward album title; will this be relegated to your ever-flowing streams, or have you reaching for your wallets?” Goat on a black lake at sunrise.

Ashbringer – Subglacial Review

By Lavender Larcenist on February 9, 2026 in Reviews, Atmospheric Black Metal, 15 comments

“We here at AMG are impossible to please. Minnesota’s atmo-black four-piece Ashbringer have learned this the hard way. While we lavished praise across their discography, those who giveth can also taketh away. Ashbringer’s previous outing, We Came Here to Grieve, originally received glowing remarks. Unfortunately for them, resident shark and Ashbringer connoisseur, Carcharodon, decided, upon further reflection, that the clean singing on their previous outing brought the album to a screeching halt after time and distance brought clarity. So, as if in response, Ashbringer has returned with Subglacial, and there isn’t an ounce of clean singing to be found on the album, as it provides an incredibly stripped-back sound in comparison to their previous outings.” Ashes up!