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Waldgeflüster – Knochengesänge I and Knochengesänge II Review

Waldgeflüster – Knochengesänge I and Knochengesänge II Review

By Killjoy on November 11, 2025 in Reviews, Atmospheric Black Metal, Folk Metal, Not Metal, 10 comments

“Waldgeflüster has been around for a while. Based in Bavaria, Germany and led by Winterherz, they’ve been weaving nature-themed atmospheric black metal since 2009. Waldgeflüster has passed through the hands of several atmoblack aficionados before me. El Cuervo enjoyed the Panopticon / Waldgeflüster split in 2016 but was less impressed by Ruinen later that year. Doom_et_Al found 2021’s Dahoam to be disappointing and unmemorable. Waldgeflüster used the four years since then to create double albums Knochengesänge I and Knochengesänge II. I is a more traditional atmoblack record, while II is a reconstruction of the same melodies from the standpoint of various non-metal musical genres. An intriguing idea, to be sure. Is Knochengesänge so nice you’ll want to listen to it twice?” Knoch two times.

Harvest — For the Souls We Have Lost Review

Harvest — For the Souls We Have Lost Review

By Creeping Ivy on October 14, 2025 in Reviews, Death Doom, Doom Metal, 16 comments

“Since nostalgia drives the creation and consumption of so much contemporary metal, metalheads might be interested in its etymology. A borrowing from post-classical Latin that combines the ancient Greek νόστος (‘return home’) and ‑αλγία (‘pain’), ‘nostalgia’ meant something like a pathologized homesickness when it came into English usage in the eighteenth century. So if you’re nostalgic for, say, the gothic doom metal of the 1990s, then 90s gothic doom is your musical home, your longing for this home rises to the level of a physical ailment, and Harvest may have the cure. A new Italian quintet, Harvest describes itself as an earnest tribute to bands like My Dying Bride, Paradise Lost, and Katatonia.” Peaceville to the world.

Harpyr – Trist Review

Harpyr – Trist Review

By GardensTale on October 10, 2025 in Reviews, Black Metal, 38 comments

“It took me a long time to get into black metal, possibly the longest out of all the major metal subgenres. This wasn’t because I kept trying and failing, but because my first forays into the frostbitten were all about that treble, ’bout that treble, no bass kind of production. The kind that sounds like a marble clattering around a vacuum cleaner down in your sketchy uncle’s basement, while your aunt is still upstairs and screeching in hysterics. And it’s all recorded into one of these. I didn’t know that this wasn’t ubiquitous in black metal, that it was widespread primarily in the 90’s, but plenty of bands have since embraced the trinity of evil, kvlt and hi-fidelity recording equipment. I just assumed that if this is what black metal sounded like, then black metal was not for me. Thankfully, I have since learned the error of my ways and was thus happy and even enthusiastic to review newcomers Harpyr.” Loathsome noises in the dark,

Coastlands – Coastlands Review

Coastlands – Coastlands Review

By Twelve on October 9, 2025 in Reviews, Post-Metal, 20 comments

“Coastlands hail from Orlando in the United States and are clear purveyors of post. At least, that was my first thought when I skimmed the promo copy we received for their self-titled sophomore release. After all, it’s self-titled, it’s got that nifty cover art, the song titles are all single words, and the Bandcamp embed uses lowercase. That’s post, friends. Generally, I’ve been hit-or-miss on post-metal—I value its atmospheres and unique emotional spectrum, but dislike the straightforwardness a lot of post-metal artists employ. So Coastlands seemed like a promising album, one that suggested feeling, growth, and artistry from passionate musicians.” Post to coast.

Sundrowned – Higanbana Review

Sundrowned – Higanbana Review

By Killjoy on October 7, 2025 in Reviews, Post-Metal, Shoegaze, 18 comments

“2013 wasn’t that long ago, was it? Yet it seems that Deafheaven’s opus, Sunbather, didn’t need long to become enough of a genre classic to inspire countless groups in pursuit of a paradoxically harsh yet dreamy musical experience. It was more than likely the inspiration for the name Sundrowned, a relatively new post-black band from Haugesund, Norway. Their debut album, Become Ethereal, didn’t make much of an impression on El Cuervo in 2021 and now it’s my turn for some solar exposure in the form of Higanbana.” Drowned in the sunbath.

Slomatics – Atomicult Review

Slomatics – Atomicult Review

By Alekhines Gun on September 15, 2025 in Reviews, Doom Metal, 34 comments

“Arguably more than any other subgenre, doom metal is as much about aesthetic as it is raw substance. The meshing of tone with riffs of tectonic heft to compensate the substitution of speed with glacial pace is key to the formula, with many a genre great being defined by the two elements in equal measure. Long running doom outfit Slowmatics, first founded in 2004, are here to drop their eighth LP Atomicult, and have opted to modify this approach a little by making a cosmic themed album. Being a sucker for space and all its aural manifestations, I was intrigued to see whether such a relatively rare framework could mesh well with the force and requisite black-hole summoning doom is known for.” Space in the face.

Incite – Savage New Times Review

Incite – Savage New Times Review

By Spicie Forrest on August 28, 2025 in Reviews, Groove Metal, Heavy Metal, Thrash Metal, 15 comments

“Within metal circles, one does not simply invoke the Cavalera name. Its crest is adorned with more than just the seminal works of Sepultura. There is ambition there that does not sleep. That great name is ever pushing boundaries, creating new sounds. This is no barren wasteland riddled with fire and ash and dust. There is no poisonous fume for inspiration to choke on. Not with 10,000 artists could you accomplish what those brothers have done; it is folly. Thus, it is with great interest—and a little skepticism—that I was assigned Incite’s seventh LP. Fronted by Max Cavalera’s stepson, Richie Cavalera, Savage New Times promises to be the band’s truest-to-self offering yet. Let’s see how deep the roots go.” Family business.

Viogression – Thaumaturgic Veil Review

Viogression – Thaumaturgic Veil Review

By Spicie Forrest on August 10, 2025 in Reviews, Death Metal, 17 comments

“One of the original but unsung stalwarts of death metal’s earliest days, Viogression formed in 1988 and released a well-received debut, Expound & Exhort, in 1991. The 1992 follow-up, Passage, failed to meet expectations, leading the band to take a three-decade hiatus. Their third full-length, 2022’s 3rd Stage of Decay, was praised for its old-school core and modern flair. Three years and a major lineup shuffle later, they return with their fourth full-length and first self-release, Thaumaturgic Veil.” Are you massive aggressive?

Cytolysis – Surge of Cruelty Review

Cytolysis – Surge of Cruelty Review

By Owlswald on August 8, 2025 in Reviews, Death Metal, Deathcore, 12 comments

“Embracing the brutal death metal staples of extreme violence, mutilation, and gore, Cytolysis is the solo project of drummer Darren Cesca (ex-Arsis, ex-Deeds of Flesh). Temporarily breaking from his duties in Goratory and Eschaton, Cesca uses Cytolysis as an outlet to write, perform, and produce his own horror-filled material. His first offering, Portraits of Malevolence, tipped the scales firmly towards deathcore and was a competent yet unremarkable slab of sonic torture. After a five-year hiatus, Cesca emerges from the depths once more with Surge of Cruelty, hoping to follow Cytolysis’ run-of-the-mill debut with something far more malicious.” Cruelty and the yeast.