ALBUM REVIEW: Lustmord – Much Unseen Is Also Here


Lustmord is the pseudonym of Brian Williams, now more than four decades into his music career and with myriad releases under his belt, including many soundtracks and collaborations, as well as a plethora of “ordinary” albums.Continue reading


REVIEW: Gospelheim – Into Smithereens


Gospelheim, Blackened Gothic Rockers from Manchester kick things off with a statement of intent with their debut single – ‘Into Smithereens’. Their self-released debut album will follow later this year. Featuring alumni from variety of respected underground Manchester-based metal bands, the group appeals to tastes ranging from Paradise Lost to Unto Others, and beyond. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Elder – Omens


Did you daydream as a kid? Just stare off into nothing and let your imagination run wild? I did. A lot of my early childhood was spent amazed at what my mind could cook up with if I had a lack of books or toys, and before my soul was captured by music. Laying on my back in the grass, seeing shapes in the clouds or constellations at night, that was pure happiness as a kid. I never really stopped chasing that vibe as an adult, because I still drift off and let my brainwaves go crazy. Expect nowadays my field is my headphones and a turntable, and the clouds my mind is chasing down are inside of my eyelids, and not the sky. If you are looking for the ultimate “drop out, tune in, and turn on” soundtrack for 2020, it is definitely going to be Elder’s new opus, Omens (Armageddon Shop/Stickman Records).Continue reading


EXCLUSIVE VIDEO PREMIERE: Nocturnalia Shares “Come Alive” Lyric Video


Scandinavian dark Stoner Heavy Metal band Nocturnalia are releasing a new single this week, on September 13th, ‘Come Alive’ via The Sign Records. The track is their second single from their forthcoming new album III: Winter, due out on November 11th. It will be released by The Sign Records in November 2019. With members from esteemed underground bands such as Night, Forndom, Oblivious, and Year of The Goat, the band has grown bolder sonically in the course of their four previous releases (two singles and two albums). We’re stoked to bring you the debut of their new lyric video for ‘Come Alive’, an expansive, heavy track, with a myriad of influences galvanizing all their hard work. Check it out!Continue reading


Sinners Bleed – Absolution


The Death, Thrash Metal act, Sinners Bleed caused a stir in the scene when they started out in the late nineties. Hailing from Berlin, this group of guys conjured a unique combination of speed and melody. Though they perked a lot of ears, life happened and the band had to take a step back from their fiery work. After a lengthy hiatus, they are now back and ready to release their second full-length album, Absolution (War Anthem Records). Even after being away for a while, Sinners Bleed has not missed a beat in their noteworthy, aggressive sound. Continue reading


October Tide – In Splendor Below


The Swedish Death/Doom Metal group, October Tide originally started out as a side project by Katatonia’s vocalist, Jonas Renkse and their now former guitarist, Fred Norrman nearly 25 years ago. These Scandinavian fellas had some fire behind them but disbanded after they released their second studio album. A decade past and Norrman decided to bring the heat of their Doom Metal goodness back to life. Now OT is ready to release their Sixth studio album, In Splendor Below (Agonia Records) and this band’s melancholy blaze is burning brighter than ever.Continue reading


Origin – Abiogenesis – A Coming Into Existence


For twenty years the band Origin has set the standard for what excellent, American Death Metal should sound like. They have been blaring an uncommonly heavy, technical sound since the late nineties. Founding member and guitar player, Paul Ryan has been working on this signature style long before Origin was actually formed. Abiogenesis – A Coming Into Existence (Agonia Records) is a release of rarities from Origin’s vault that includes previously unreleased tracks from the pre-Origin era and a remastered version of Origin’s first EP.Continue reading


Holy Fawn – Death Spells


I think Holy Fawn summed themselves up brilliantly with their band summary: “four creatures making loud, heavy, pretty noises”. Combining ambience, walls of distortion and ethereal vocals, Death Spells (Holy Roar) is the embodiment of these contrasting musical textures.Continue reading


Obsidian Sea – Strangers


Whilst steadily garnering a reputation in their native Balkans, Bulgarian trio Obsidian Sea finally saw some US action in 2016 with a repress of second album Dreams, Illusions, Obsessions (Nuclear War Now! Records). Third album Strangers sees a Ripple Music release that will undoubtedly propel the psych-Doom outfit further.Continue reading


Almost Honest – Seiches And Sirens


With a name as cheesy as Almost Honest, I expected an uninspiring combo led by the progeny of some aging UK rock star trying hard to forge her / his own identity. This Pennsylvanian trio seems anything but: far from uninspiring, the madcap antics of sophomore album Seiches And Sirens (Electric Talon Records) is an example of Stoner’s potential to be versatile and fluid.Continue reading