SOUL GRINDERFilth Encrusted Self-released (2023)Rating: 8.5/10 Last year I reviewed a rather interesting EP (Queen Corrosia) from this Portland, Oregon-based thrash act and I’m pleased to say they’ve returned with some more vibrant cover art and killer music. Soul Grinder are fronted by the mercurial April Dimmick, who combines Mad Max attire with Wendy O’Williams, […]
JAG PANZERThe Hallowed Atomic Fire (2023)Rating: 8.5/10 When these full throttle headbangers released their debut full-length opus, Ample Destruction, back in 1984 there was every sign that the Colorado band would go on to achieve super stardom. Strangely, while still moderately successful, in spite of their power and consistency, Jag Panzer has never reached the […]
DISMORFIAImmortal Echoes From The Unknown EP Gurgling Gore (2023)Rating: 8/10 After a trio of demented demo recordings, Peruvian death / grind merchants Dismorfia finally get round to spewing out their debut EP, Immortal Echoes From The Unknown. Apart from the cover rendition of Mortician’s ‘Zombie Apocalypse’ (which is very good) there are four nasty tracks […]
MUST KILLCause And Effect EP Self-released (2023)Rating: 6.5/10 It’s strange to see a UK thrash act opting for the generic Ed Repka-like cover artwork (courtesy of Dan Goldsworthy), so let’s hope this release doesn’t get swallowed up. Must Kill is a quartet from Milton Keynes which formed in 2018 and feature a current line-up of […]
PROTEAN SHIELDProtean Shield No Remorse (2023)Rating: 8/10 As if the Greek heavy metal scene isn’t already cool enough we get hit by another good band in the form of Athens-based five piece Protean Shield. The Greeks have an uncanny ability to take 80s metal aesthetics and bring them to the modern but without making the […]
HEIDEVOLK Premiere ‘Drinking With The Gods (Valhalla)’ Music Video June 22nd, 2023 Arnhem, Netherlands-based folk metal band Heidevolk have released a music video for the track ‘Drinking With The Gods (Valhalla)’. Directed by Jaap Hogendoorn, the clip can be viewed below. The band stated: “It has been four months already since we released Wederkeer. The […]
FORGED IN BLACKLightning In The Ashes Fighter (2023)Rating: 8/10 This Southend, Essex-based band is certainly no stranger to the scene, having first emerged in 2007 under the moniker Merciless Fail. Ten years ago Forged In Black released their self-titled debut full-length album, and It would take another six years for the follow up, Descent Of […]
GRIMORIALost In Shadows EP Self-released (2023)Rating: 6.5/10 Three band members, three tracks… this is some Swedish doom metal that doesn’t overstay its welcome. On this debut EP from Stockholm-based Grimoria you get 15 minutes of heavy, laborious doom not too far removed from a sludgier Candlemass. The vocals of Mik Wizard, who also provides the […]
STEEL NIGHTLast Warrior EP Self-released (2023)Rating: 6.5/10 With cover art that’s not too far removed from the halcyon days of He-Man And The Masters Of The Universe, Last Warrior is a new three-track EP from Mexican metalheads Steel Night. What you get here is some glorious and galloping mid-80s inspired metal from members Jahaziel Rangel […]
CHURCH OF MISERYBorn Under A Mad Sign Rise Above (2023)Rating: 9/10 Like a prolific serial killer who suddenly and mysteriously ceased with his vile activities, this clan of psycho psychedelic Japanese doomsters seemed to push the pause button seven years ago. I’d started to think that they had run out of mass murderers and the […]
