2021

Album Review: Cognitive – “Malevolent Thoughts of a Hastened Extinction” 9/10 (Tech Death)

Techdeath has long been my favorite of the death metal subgenres. There’s something about the in-your-face aggression combined with the finesse of rhythmic trickery and masterful technique that just hits my ears the right way. The problem, though, is that the space is distinctly oversaturated in the grand scheme of metal. You can’t throw a guitar pick without hitting a new technical outfit square in the chops. There are whole labels (*glances sideways at The Artisan Era*) that seem to be dedicated to cranking out tech act after tech act. It’s a hard scene to stand out in, is my point.  […]

2021

Album Review: Bonecarver – “Evil” 7/10 (Death Metal)

Here’s a question for you, and I think I might have a decent idea of the answer: do you like your metal as heavy as literally all fucking hell? Sure, sometimes you need bands like Eneferens or svrm or Spirit Adrift, whose takes on metal could be reasonably described as beautiful, or even moving. But do you also crave some thick, chuggy brutality? Do you want vocals that roar and squeal, and breakdowns that could level entire city blocks? If you do, it’s time to get excited for the newest slamtastic release from Unique Leader, Bonecarver’s Evil. […]

2021

Album Review: Humanity’s Last Breath – “Välde” 9.2/10 (Technical Deathcore)

Humanity’s Last Breath made a big impression over here with their heavy as balls sound in 2019’s Abyssal, now they’re back on the radar with some innovations to show off. This album uses a lot of sound design to create a more unique approach to blackened deathcore that utilizes every instrumental technique available and even additional symphonics. You can see on their Bandcamp that they’ve been very busy producing tunes but also producer packs during the time between Abyssal and Välde, clearly very talented audio engineering from guitarist and producer Buster Odeholm (Vildjharta, Born of Osiris, Oceano). […]

2020 Albums

Album Review: Ingested – “Where Only Gods May Tread” 8/10 (Brutal Death)

Ingested are a band I’ve been following for a couple of years now, I’ve seen them grow from a grotesque little slam band to a more matured brutal death metal band. This transition was set in stone with their solid as hell 2018 record The Level Above Human. Last year they released a dark, cryptic little EP titled Call Of The Void, which even further perplexed me as to what their next move would be. I can confidently say this new album solidifies their place in the death metal scene and makes it abundantly clear why they’ve become so popular in recent years. […]