August 2024 – Metal Eclipse Reviews

Blighted Eye – Agony’s Bespoke

You know my running joke: I judge albums by their cover. When I received Blighted Eye – Agony’s Bespoke, I had two thoughts: this is either going to be AOTY material or a typical 2.5/5.0. There’s no middle ground. When a band takes itself this seriously, things can either fly or crash and burn. Especially when there’s a plot in the album that’s heavily inspired by an extremely raw and depressing film (The Nightingale). Hence, I approached this release with incoherent expectations. Anyway, let’s see if Blighted Eye can pull it off.

Leprous – Melodies of Atonement

Let’s not fool ourselves: Leprous is one of the biggest acts in Metal today. They might not be the heaviest band out there, but ever since Tall Poppy Syndrome (still my favorite), the group has transformed from a Prog Death Metal band to a Djent act, and now to whatever they’re doing at this point. To be honest, I haven’t been particularly interested in Leprous since The Congregation, but now that Melodies of Atonement has arrived, I’m willing to give them a second—or even third—chance.

God Dethroned – The Judas Paradox

Look at that art! It’s my thing! Despite a long career full of twists and turns, God Dethroned is still here, ready to show us that making Blackened Death Metal is an art few bands have mastered to this level. However, I won’t lie—it’s been a while since the band really hit me in the liver, more precisely since Under the Sign of the Iron Cross (oh, people! That title would get you in so much trouble today!). Yet, we’re all in for redemption and a return to form here. So, is The Judas Paradox a fresh slap in our faces, or is it going to punch like a two-year-old? Stick around!

Officium Triste – Hortus Venenum

Most reviewers at MER have a guilty pleasure, and for some reason, many of us are deeply into the Emo Rock of extreme Metal: Death/Doom. So when something sad hits the mailbox, we all fight for it! Enter Officium Triste, a band that, in Hortus Venenum, is planning to throw a mix of misery, melancholy, and despair at us. All of this is wrapped in a melodic package that could make even the toughest guys cry. But does it succeed in reaching your inner traumas? Grab your pills, and let’s dive into this sea of denial.

Ellende – Todbringerin

Stargazer Scholar

Metal and classical music have a lot in common. From direct quotations to arrangements and the general feeling of overarching grandeur, our beloved genre has borrowed heavily from its noble ancestor. However, while a romantic symphony or a baroque concerto are open to reinterpretation, Metalheads are known to be jealous guardians of the original incarnations of their favorite albums. And let’s be honest, more often than not, this stance is well justified. Nonetheless, the artists’ right to amend and reconsider their own creations should likewise be taken into account, leading us to a trade-off that is hard to resolve. This brings me to today’s topic.

Wintersun – Time II

Some things are certain in life: taxes, death, and that Wintersun will take a long time between releases. Honestly, I wasn’t sure we would ever get Time II until I saw the promo. There’s always so much anticipation when it comes to this band, and given how its last album received mixed reviews, my expectations were so grounded that I was listening to Wintersun with the same attention and “objectivity” (an absurd term to use in a review) as I would for any other promo in my email inbox. Having said that, you came here to find out if Power Metal/MeloDeath can offer something fresh as a sub-genre, right?

True kvlt: Chaos Over Cosmos, Morgue Terror, Where’s My Bible

This is the week of second chances at True Kvlt. Since we’re running out of deep underground links, the bands that asked for more stuff to be reviewed will get a second chance to sell their goods. Don’t you love us for being merciful and dedicated reviewers? Who else does this for the underground without making a dime? (Should we change that last part?). Too many questions that you didn’t come here for, so let’s give you some albums, EPs, singles, and whatever else is left in the fridge at 3:00 a.m.

Releases that almost fell through the cracks: Vile Rites, Pythonic, Hvile I Kaos

The stressful life of a reviewer leads to many tragic mistakes. Some come in the form of missing releases or forgetting about newer acts. Hence, I’m here attempting to sink the ocean with my ship’s cannons (totally pointless, yes) and give attention to some of the many bands that hit MER’s mailbox every day. It’ll never be over, but consider this a futile act of redemption. Rarely have we seen such a strange constellation of bands in the same article, which is always fun, right? Say yes!

Retro-Review: The Morningside – The Wind, The Trees and The Shadows of The Past

Hi there! I know I usually kick off this section with a paragraph about the tragic loss of “happier” times, but today, we have a new writer debuting. The spotlight’s on them! Welcome the Stargazer Scholar (find them here!). So, be nice on social media, or I’ll find you…

Black sites – The Promised Land?

Let’s face it: old-school Heavy Metal sucks. Now that I have your attention, let me tell you that Black Sites is the biggest exception to this rule. Ever since In Monochrome, this band has put out banger after banger, avoiding the common tropes and typical corniness of the genre. Plus, it has its Prog moments! And that never hurts. However, The Promised Land? comes in quietly, maybe because of all the comparisons it’s going to face with other great albums, or maybe because you haven’t done your research and aren’t hyping this band as much as you should. Either way, let’s see if this album delivers!