No comments

Review: Ingested – The Architect of Extinction

  By Thomas Mergel • February 24, 2015

ingested the architect of extinctionManchester’s (UK) ultimate brutal death metal band Ingested have returned with the release of their new album properly called “The Architect of Extinction” because this in fact is nothing but genocide. The band doesn’t reveal any new tricks but instead tap into their familiar sound that they’ve had since their debut album “Surpassing the Boundaries of Human Suffering”. Immediately the chugging and tremolo guitar work pummels in, the drumming is pure obliteration and vocally it’s profoundly brutal. Teetering on the edge of slamming brutal death metal and deathcore, Ingested seem to keep it generally on the slam side of things with their writing style. Fans of both styles will love this though.

Continue reading

No comments

Review: Shadowland – A

  By Thomas Mergel • February 23, 2015

shadowland ASimply called “A”, Shadowland releases a beautiful and cold ambient/atmospheric wonder that expands the mind and blissfully delivers soul massaging synth for us all to consume and enjoy. This Russian band has no members (so says Metal-Archives) and has been pretty active for the past year, releasing a bunch of demos and EP’s that I will definitely head back and listen to. “A” is my first listen of this band and I must say it grabbed me pretty fast and held me tightly. The atmosphere that Shadowland creates is vast and imaginative as well as the music being captivating and soothing. A nice album to drift off into sleep or to calm down after a nice day for sure.

Continue reading

No comments

Review: The Unchaining – Ithilien

  By Thomas Mergel • February 21, 2015

The Unchaining - IthilienOh atmospheric black metal, how you can be so good at times. You’re obviously so inspiring to us all who enjoy it and often times influence us so much that we just absolutely must create something of our own. I know it is true due to the fact I hear something new yet similar on a weekly basis. Yet, no matter what somehow I always still end up loving it. The Unchaining’s newest release for example is a low production, epic black metal one man army who’s influences are obviously Summoning with a tad bit of Burzum and Erang in there as well. The Unchaining’s simple sound is settling and warming as this simplicity still provided me with grand scale epic atmosphere. This release is a no brainer for fans of this genre!

Continue reading

No comments

Review: Ghost Bath – Moonlover

  By Thomas Mergel • February 21, 2015

coverSometimes when you hear of an oriental metal band you may think of poppy choruses, boasting loud guitars and females dancing in school girl outfits. Well Ghost Bath is from China and no they do not possess the energy and light show of your semi typical event. No this is a brooding, emotionally deep, depressing type of album. Ghost Bath sucks you in slowly and then proceeds to blast your face off, only to take it all away and get truly emotionally low with the music. If there was anything that would push you over the edge and make you want to take the plunge, it’s this album.

Continue reading

No comments

That is so Cvlt: In Defense of the Untrue Black Metal

  By Nihil • February 20, 2015 ,

I fucking love Deafheaven. I remember when Sunbather came out it blew my mind and the minds of several friends and acquaintances. There were a few members of my local metal community, though, that resented it’s popularity and it’s inclusion into the black metal soundscape. I can recall many a Facebook post casting them off as nothing but “hipster garbage”. I see people to this day still saying Deafheaven and bands like them should not be anywhere near black metal. They find the genre, ironically, sacred.  Since Sunbather’s  release many other bands have emerged from the woodwork sporting the moniker of “Untrue Black Metal”. I am here today to talk to you all about how I believe these bands are among the coolest things to happen to the black metal genre in a very long time.

Continue reading

No comments

Review: Nytt Land – Nytt Land

  By Thomas Mergel • February 19, 2015

Nytt LandNyatt Land’s self titled release is a Neo-folk band from Russia. Their dark, ambient, ritualistic art is created through the use of multi-ethnic instruments that cater to those who enjoy Norse culture and the type of spells that Wardruna casts. The folk driven ambient music is very much inspired by Norse/Northern culture and it gives off a genuine feeling. With the right frame of mind, you will vastly enjoy this authentic and enchanting release.

Continue reading

No comments

Review: Xibalba – Tierra Y Libertad

  By Thomas Mergel • February 19, 2015

xibalbaHailing from Pomona, CA comes forth a furious blend of the heaviest hardcore and death metal mix I’ve ever heard! Xibalba’s Tierra Y Libertad gives us a mix of these two fine genres without turning it into deathcore, which is on a thin line as it is with their simple yet amazing approach to song writing. Xibalba translates to “place of fear” and is the name of the underworld found within Mayan mythology, where it is ruled by the Maya death gods and their helpers. This land of the dead is portrayed well within Xibalba’s sound, as they maintain an ultra brutal devastation type of sound within their wall of excellent tone. The cover art also does a fine job at showing the listener what they should expect to hear before they even press play. This is pure unholy war.

Continue reading

No comments

TL;DR Review #2: Disrupted, Sepulchral Curse, Nocturna & Dead in the Manger

  By Thomas Mergel • February 17, 2015

PicMonkey CollageWelcome to the second edition of my quick review post! This weeks edition of TL;DR Reviews consists of some damn fine death metal, an odd symphonic power metal release and a blackened doom treat that really hits me hard every time I listen to it. Check out these 4 bands and definitely give each album a listen. Come back next week for another TL;DR post and be sure to visit daily for new full reviews. Be sure to like the Facebook page too, as I post news and new music from there! Enjoy.

Continue reading

No comments

Review: Karma To Burn – Arch Stanton

  By Thomas Mergel • February 15, 2015

karma to burnEver just want some fearless ass kicking instrumental stoner/sludge music to jam out to? If you have been searching, then Karma to Burn is PERFECT. Even if you weren’t searching for something like this, Karma To Burn’s new album is just so good that you cannot pry away once the music has started. The upbeat high energy whiskey fueled tempos and bong resin tone/fuzz just makes this release, Arch Stanton, a high impact and enjoyable listening experience. There is no nonsense filler here, this is massive amounts of filthy southern edge being forced into your body. It’s very exhilarating and always puts me in a good mood when I listen to this.

Continue reading

No comments

Review: Arcane – Known/Learned

  By Thomas Mergel • February 11, 2015

arcaneDouble albums…..they can be an experience. A good chunk of your day will be gone after you enjoy a double album and they usually are about 1.5 to 2 hours long. Arcane’s sublime progressive journey is nearly 2.5 hours long! I could damn near drive to St. Louis (I am in Kansas City) in that amount of time! Known – Learned is my first time listening to these guys and boy is it a wild start for someone just getting into a band. Something of this scale is quite monumental and intimidating, even for someone who can listen to a 50 minute song/EP (Eye of Solitude, various other black/doom/drone bands). Arcane starts off with good momentum and with the right amount of uniqueness within the progressive metal and something I can familiarize with I dove head first into the expansive release that is Known/Learned.

Continue reading