Metalcatto
It’s time again! Your submissions are starting to pile up, and I should take a look before my patience runs out and I click “delete all” in my inbox—but for now, one can only dream. Believe it or not, there’s no Black Metal this week. People are actually coming up with other things to show me. Anyway, let’s get to it!
Putrescent – Darkness Embraced: We’re back with Old School Death Metal—and it’s been a while. Putrescent is brutal, rancid, and unapologetically intense. However, it doesn’t lean entirely into the retro worship of the 90s. Instead, it reminds me more of early 2000s Death Metal. Finally, a project that doesn’t only recycle the same decade! This is even more evident in its production, which feels vintage but not underdeveloped—something many “true kvlt” releases still struggle with. Click here!
Metal Charm – Visions of Escape: Speaking of old school sounds, don’t let Metal Charm’s quirky name fool you. There’s nothing Power Metal about this Melodic Death Metal project. It takes inspiration from bands like The Black Dahlia Murder and Arsis, creating aggressive riffing that still manages to be digestible and enjoyable. There’s a solid sense of epic pacing here, and the production is clean enough that I wasn’t left wondering if the entire budget went into gear. It’s always refreshing to hear a band that knows what it’s doing. Click here!
Antiquus Scriptum – Toxic Waste: And now, the weirdest entry. Toxic Waste is difficult to categorize, but maybe “Industrial Thrash Metal” should be a thing (unless you hate Megadeth, then you’re out of luck). Expect thunderous riffing that doesn’t ask too much of you, only to be thrown into mechanical soundscapes that bring old Fear Factory to mind. It’s a strange and jarring mix, and while I’m not sure it always lands, it’s definitely something worth exploring further. Click here!
And there you have it—another group of marginalized and forgotten bands that shouldn’t stay that way. I’ve done my part. Now it’s your turn: get off the couch for a bit, or at least sit upright and give these albums the attention they deserve (don’t worry, I wasn’t expecting a walk). See you next week, where I already have a ton of underground releases lined up for more judgment. It should be fun, as usual!
Metal Eclipse Reviews 