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Dismal – Quinta Essentia Review

Dismal – Quinta Essentia Review

By El Cuervo on November 10, 2020 in Reviews, Classical, Gothic Metal, 60 comments

“It’s very satisfying that in a location where I’ve worked for over 6 years I can still enjoy new experiences. Italy’s Dismal and their new record called Quinta Essentia (Quintessence) represents a number of firsts for me. First time hearing this band; first dual review with a n00b; first album where different resources conflicted as to label; first album where different resources conflicted as to number of releases by the band; first album where my first listen resulted in 3 reviews’ worth of notes. It was all very intriguing to me, least of all the music produced here. The greatest challenge was narrowing my thoughts into a reasonable article. Where to begin?” First rodeos.

Regardless of Me – Black Flowers Blossom Review

Regardless of Me – Black Flowers Blossom Review

By El Cuervo on September 15, 2020 in Reviews, Melodic Death Metal, Synthwave, 39 comments

“Six years into this gig, and I still largely choose albums from the promo pool by name and/or genre tag. While I like to review a diverse array of sub-genres, it’s tough for me to not pick the low hanging fruit of obscure tags. The prospect of “trance metal” was an enticing one indeed, and it was from this that I selected Italy’s Regardless of Me.” No regard.

Ulveblod – Omnia Mors Aequat Review

Ulveblod – Omnia Mors Aequat Review

By Dear Hollow on April 7, 2020 in 2020, Ambient, Black Metal, ConSouling Sounds, Drone, Dutch Metal, Industrial Metal, Noise, Reviews, Black Metal, Industrial Metal, Noise, 28 comments

“I wanted a black metal/noise hybrid. I figured it was the trvest style out there: the ultimate form of pitch-black atmosphere that could conjure abstractness and bleakness to new heights. While there have been plenty of artists that have tried, like Enbilulugugal, Gnaw Their Tongues, and Abruptum, success has been limited, so I wished upon a star for noisy black metal.” Cut off your noise to spite your face.

Python – Astrological Warfare Review

Python – Astrological Warfare Review

By Kenstrosity on June 5, 2019 in 2019, Ambient Metal, Annapurna, Heavy Metal, Italian Metal, Reviews, Stoner Metal, The ANJA Offensive, Ambient Metal, Heavy Metal, Stoner Metal, 47 comments

“It has become all too apparent that I do not learn from my mistakes. People warned me since childhood never to trust a snake, and yet Python will mark the second time I picked promo based solely on my love for those slithery danger noodles. I’ve learned my lesson this time for sure, though. Never in my life have I encountered a shit-tastrophe as rank as Astrological Warfare, the band’s ill-conceived sophomore record.” Twice bitten.

Blacklist-9 – Mentally Ill, Legally Sane Review

Blacklist-9 – Mentally Ill, Legally Sane Review

By GardensTale on March 15, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, Eclipse Records, Groove Metal, Nu-metal, Reviews, Groove Metal, Nu Metal, 141 comments

“It’s funny how bands try to embellish their true nature through genre tags sometimes. Metalcore often tries to lay claim to melodic death metal, probably because it causes less out-of-hand rejection. Progressive metal promos are a minefield of djent bands, which can be progressive but are often anything but. Another one to be wary of is groove metal. Groove metal doesn’t have a great reputation in and of itself, and it’s bound to degrade further with the amount of nu-metal bands co-opting the term. Blacklist-9 (written randomly with or without hyphen even on the band’s own sources) ostensibly play groove metal.” Adding to the list.

Tank – Sturmpanzer Review

Tank – Sturmpanzer Review

By Huck N Roll on November 13, 2018 in 2018, British Metal, Dissonance Productions, Heavy Metal, NWOBHM, Reviews, Heavy Metal, NWOBHM, 80 comments

“Sometimes we get what we want, and sometimes we get what we deserve. Here I am, trudging towards the end of the year, relying on headmistress Madam X to dole out the review rewards and punishments as she sees fit – except for this week. This week, she forgot about little old me, and what did I see lurking in the promo bin? Tank. How did Steel Druhm, my cohort in late-middle-age, not grab this? Both of us remember the original Tank from way back in the early 80s, with their punk/proto take on the whole NWOBHM movement briefly endearing them to many.” Tanked.

Gnaw Their Tongues & Crowhurst: Burning Ad Infinitum: A Collaboration Review

Gnaw Their Tongues & Crowhurst: Burning Ad Infinitum: A Collaboration Review

By Master of Muppets on September 5, 2018 in 2018, Ambient Metal, American Metal, Crown and Throne Ltd., Dutch Metal, Experimental Metal, Reviews, Experimental Metal, Noise Metal, 99 comments

“In many ways, this collaboration makes perfect sense. The lo-fi, chaotic-noise aesthetic of Gnaw Their Tongues is a very natural direction for the experimental drone of Crowhurst to wander off to, and vice versa. Given the prolific nature of Gnaw Their Tongues’s Maurice de Jong and Crowhurst mastermind Jay Gambit, it’s also pretty much par for the course that these two noise mongers eventually crossed paths and left some tracks in their wake.” Gnawed and miserable.