Experimental

2020 Albums

Album Review: Ainsoph – “Ω – V” 10 (Post Black)

January 12, 2020 Melinda (Carcassbomb)

Somewhere between Idle Hands and Julie Christmas is Ainsoph, an incredible new Dutch band that brings together a series of influences from black metal to post punk and every post metal ideal between the two. It’s all tied together with a distant yet clear kind of mixing that both allows for multiple styles to shine and still sound like one cohesive crushing sound. At the forefront of this is are feminine vocals that sound like someone who isn’t even there anymore, a ghost… “She is the void” to quote the second track “Malkuth”. This is one of those albums that is so in it’s own element that it’s hard to pin it down as metal, it’s more metal adjacent as it allows outside influences to strongly dictate the direction of the sound. Something I’m always happy to hear. […]

2020 Albums

Album Review: Postvorta – Porrima 9 (Post Metal)

December 26, 2019 Melinda (Carcassbomb)

Postvorta are a highly creative post metal band from Italy. I’ve been getting a lot of good promos from this region lately, typically in the wheelhouse of post and doom. Porrima on February 20th, 2020 via Sludgelord Records and I can safely recommend this to anyone with a love for long form metal with a patient sense of storytelling. Porrima unfolds over a series of developments that will keep you enraptured and ready for a second listen. […]

2020 Albums

Album Review: L’Homme Absurde – Belong 9.0 (Post Black/Metalcore)

December 9, 2019 Melinda (Carcassbomb)

I’m in love with this underground russian music scene of post black metal and hardcore hybrids such as the recently release Toluca album. Be it blackened screamo or post black metalcore, it seems the combination is hyper-viable and will become increasingly prevalent globally in no time. Your dad won’t be able to appreciate this one, It feels special like that. Something about being so fucking grim and melodic but at the same time lending itself to actual dancing and moshing. It’s an experience of energy and geography. L’Homme Absurde (The Absurd Man) originally started as solo project and became a band. This is their third LP titled Belong, it releases independently on January 17th. […]

2019 Albums

Album Review: Bull Elephant – “Self-Titled” 8/10 (Prog/Doom)

November 29, 2019 Melinda (Carcassbomb)

There isn’t much information as to the identity or location of Bull Elephant, as they choose to stay anonymous. Their debut record is a concept album, and despite having listened to this record several times I still couldn’t tell you what’s going on in my own words, but their Facebook bio sums it up pretty well, “Bull Elephant is the story of a slain African elephant that occultist Ahnenerbe SS attempted to bring back from the dead as a new form of battle asset. However, before re-animation could be completed it was intercepted by a mysterious witch-shaman, pursuing her own agenda and redirecting the undead creature’s purpose.” […]

2019 Albums

Album Review: Sugar Wounds – Mechanical Friends (Grind/Gaze)

October 6, 2019 zaxrecordreviews

Like many things in the information age, extreme metal has become over saturated and more accessible than ever. Now, this is a good thing and a bad thing for bands and listeners alike. As a listener, you have access to tons of amazing albums by tons of amazing bands that you would have never heard otherwise, but you’ll find yourself getting bored with certain sounds and styles, things can get redundant. As a band, it’s easier than ever to make and promote your music, but it’s hard to standout in a musical landscape where most things have been done. I will always stand by the idea that generic does not equal bad, however it’s always exciting and refreshing to hear something you’ve never heard before. […]