March 2025 – Metal Eclipse Reviews

Kardashev – Alunea

Let me say this over and over: One of the most underrated albums of this decade so far is Liminal Rite. Kardashev proved it could dominate almost every flavor of extreme Metal with that record, so you can imagine how utterly frozen I was when I got the promo for Alunea. I didn’t just play it—I threw myself into it, waiting for greatness with expectations so monstrous it’d make most bands collapse under the pressure. But here’s the kicker: I refused to believe this project could disappoint. Kardashev has already mastered its own strain of Progressive Metal—a sound so distinct it gives it license to take risks no other band could survive. Now, the only question left was: Would it work?

True kvlt: Tria Prima, Mindistry & Eisige Venen

Hi there, my corpse-painted children. I’m not saying much today because the MER crew has way better things to say. This is a special True Kvlt edition, so let’s get to it!

Deafheaven – Lonely People With Power

Few bands elicit as many passionate discussions as Deafheaven. They stand as the ultimate hipster black metal band – that distinctly warm Californian/edgy interpretation of the traditionally depressive Nordic formula. To these ears, it’s crafted exactly one perfect 5.0/5.0 album (Sunbather). However, ever since New Bermuda, I’ve gradually fallen out of love with its evolving sound. This isn’t to say its subsequent work was bad – it simply never recaptured those genre-defining heights that initially made them so revolutionary. So it was with minimal expectations that I approached Lonely People With Power a title so quintessentially Deafheaven it almost hurts), steeling myself primarily against disappointment.

Retro-Review: Summoning – Stronghold

Welcome to Retro-Reviews, a space where I indulge in my own nostalgic reveries, reminiscing about a time that never truly existed, but one that I’ve crafted through various random albums that hold significance for me. Whether good or bad, one thing is certain: remembering can be a bittersweet journey.

EP Madness part 4: Desert Smoke & Tyrannosatan

It’s time to give some love to the EPs that lately have captured my undivided attention – no small feat considering the avalanche of promos we get monthly (don’t worry, we’ll still check out your garage or restroom band, because why the heck not?). In this era of fast-food content consumption and pointless artistic injustice, let’s appreciate the beauty of brevity. Onward!

Structure – Heritage

It’s been a bit of a slow year for Doom so far (hehe!), but maybe that’s about to change – because when you see Structure‘s Heritage cover art, you know there are only two ways this can go: breathtaking and unforgiving Death/Doom, or just a bloated, pretentious mess. There’s next to no middle ground when it comes to releases that take themselves this seriously, where everything feels personal and built through time and pain. There’s not much else I can say to introduce a project that promises so much from the start, yet we all know how full the world is of disappointment. So let’s see what we have here.

Robust – Robust

It’s been a while since we’ve tackled a proper dose of raw Black Metal – the kind that makes you want to rip your hair out and sends your cat scrambling under the bed. Normally, we let those rancid “true kvlt” promos pass by unnoticed, but every so often, something slithers out of the void that’s just too interesting to ignore. Enter Robust – Robust (yes, the album is as sturdy as its name suggests). Think the name lacks edge? Don’t worry, because this is about to plunge straight into the abyss.

Warbringer – Wrath and Ruin

Stargazer Scholar

Thrash Metal is important. Few other subgenres of heavy music could boast the same historical significance, and it is undoubtedly Thrash Metal that we have to thank for all things Black Metal, Death Metal, and extreme Metal. Thrash metal is overcrowded. Let’s face it, since the pioneers of the eighties and early nineties gave way to multitudes upon multitudes of nostalgic acts, the highest achievements of the movement came from its fusion with other subgenres like Prog or Groove.

True kvlt: Syndr, Dark Æclipse & Váthos

Vicky & Metalcatto

The time has come for me to let the fresher blood take care of an entire True kvlt article. Don’t cry—I’ll probably be back to do most of the heavy lifting next week. It’s not my fault that you readers and musicians have made a habit of directly contacting my writers to cut the line (it doesn’t work that way!). I don’t mind; it means I get to work less. So, without further ado, Vicky has some opinions today.

Cradle of Filth – The Screaming of the Valkyries

Cradle of Filth is a band that you probably already love or hate—there’s no in-between. Say what you want, but these romantic vampires don’t leave anyone indifferent. Yet, for me, the craziest thing about the band is how it went from being more washed-up than Ali in the ’80s to having a second prime in its later years. I can’t think of any other band that has pulled off such a comeback in the last decade. So, ironically, I did have high expectations for The Screaming of the Valkyries.