BITTER VELVETUnleashed Fears Stormspell (2023)Rating: 6/10 Bitter Velvet is a duo from Quito in Ecuador that dabbles in high octane glam-tinged rock with traditional metal streaks. The team of Malikce (vocals) and Sage Zavage (all instruments) is an interesting one, if at times lightweight and mechanical in its feel. From the off Malikce has that […]
SULPHURIC DEATHBeyond The Void Of Doom EP Burning Coffin / Apocalyptic Productions / Clandestine Productions (2023)Rating: 8/10 What foul cacophony has squirmed into my lap this time? Chile’s Sulphuric Death is another of those unholy South American bands that just know how to creep under your skin and devour you from the inside out. You […]
BURNING SUNWake Of Ashes Stormspell (2023)Rating: 6/10 Being the work of Hungarian duo Zoltàn Papi and Pancho Ireland, Burning Sun is a fantasy-driven metal act embarking on its debut full-length journey. Firstly, let’s talk about the elephant in the room, the drum machine. Now, unless you’re a grotty black-death band who lives in the woods […]
CURSERaise The Evil Self-released (2023)Rating: 7.5/10 A Colombian trio is responsible for this surprisingly melodic thrash debut full-length album. Curse were previously known as Tormentor and in spite of their rather bland monikers, members Josué Quintero (vocals and guitar) Jairo Rojas (bass) and Diego Leal (drums) pack quite the punch in their quest for infectious […]
SPECTRELonesome Gambler EP Dying Victims Productions (2023)Rating: 8/10 There has been a plethora of bands over the years using the moniker Spectre, but this particular act – named after founder Will Spectre – is one I strongly recommend. Hailing from Hobart in Tasmania, Australia’s Spectre taps into that late 70s and early 80s vibe of […]
DEAD HEATEndless Torment EP Tankcrimes / Triple-B (2023)Rating: 8/10 Think Suicidal Tendencies, think Crumbsuckers, think Excel, and that’s what you get here with Oxnard, California-based crossover specialists Dead Heat. This EP is an enjoyable romp that just might prompt you to dig out the old skateboard and throw on some Leeway straight after experiencing this […]
FLIGHTEchoes Of Journeys Past Dying Victims Productions (2023)Rating: 9/10 It’s been five long years since Oslo, Norway-based Flight released their second full-length outing, but now they are back with another joyously fluid extravaganza. Even if you’ve never experienced Flight before then it’s time you did because here is a band that offers everything and yet […]
EYEMASTERConjuration Of Flesh EP Caligari / Lycanthropic Chants (2023)Rating: 8/10 Although the Swedish death metal scene continues to spawn a thousand rip offs, German act Eyemaster actually succeeds in its buzzsaw savagery. Emerging two years after a strong two-song demo, Conjuration Of Flesh not only boasts a distinctive slab of cover art but also drives […]
TAKALAITONMindfection Rockshots (2023)Rating: 8/10 Graced with some seriously good cover art, Mindfection is the second full-length album from Finnish thrashers TakaLaiton. I’m not all that familiar with the band but this new effort has some fantastic crossover tracks as well as what could be perceived as Pantera-styled groove metal. One sniff of ‘Rip N’ Burn’ […]
ATONEMENTSadistic Invaders Dying Victims Productions (2023)Rating: 7/10 Trying to look and sound evil, Stockholm, Sweden-based upstarts Atonement have raided their daddy’s 80s heavy metal collection and found the usual Venom, Bathory, Destruction and Sodom albums for influence. Atonement’s debut full-length album Sadistic Invaders is standard practice in today’s climate. From ‘Hellish Delight’, through ‘Evil Disaster’ […]
