Suffering so you don't have to!
Stargazer Scholar
The sun was rising over the Metal Kingdom.
Slowly, lazily, its first weak rays crept over the woods surrounding the capital and almost got lost in the misty shade. But on they crept, on and on, until they touched a village that was huddled at the very foot of the Metal Hill. On top of the hill an impregnable castle was perched, its battlements barely lit with Aurora, its high walls proud and sturdy.
Metalcatto
I can’t speak for my fellow reviewers here, but I’ve gotten a lot of stinkers lately — oh, sorry, is that not diplomatic? At least I’m giving no names! However, there was something about Drouth that made me think there might be hope for something fresher this time. The Teeth of Time had all the signs of apparent validity: long tracks, but balanced between Black and Death Metal; cool art and title; but mostly, the band is from Portland, Oregon — a place Extreme Metal owes a lot to. But I’m under no illusion about how badly expectations can betray you. Let’s go!
The Teeth of Time has that raw, organic production that’s become part of the Portland scene. However, you can still appreciate everything that’s going on, so for those of you who like authenticity and actual dexterity, you’ll have a blast — assuming being swallowed into a tornado of anguish and anxiety is your definition of fun. Drouth is a band that takes itself seriously and has no problem staying in a place that would make the average Metal noob very uncomfortable. Yet this is all balanced with bleak details that add emotional depth to the journey.
The vocals are wild, jumping between growling and shrieking. It’s hard to put a single label on The Teeth. Sometimes, it felt like I was listening to Downfall of Gaia mixed with Fall of Rauros and Spectral Wound; other times, it leaned more into old Tomb Mold territory — and yet, there are moments of Melodic Death Metal here too. Don’t let its primal first assault fool you: Drouth has crafted something that genuinely defied my expectations. It’s not often you find an album that sounds evil and tragic at the same time. I believe a lot of that comes down to the diverse guitar work throughout, which resists being pinned to just one idea or formula.
I usually don’t enjoy this kind of basement Metal as much as I’ve enjoyed The Teeth. However, if you’re not paying close attention to its detail, it won’t be all that engaging. The album isn’t long, but the tracks are — especially when the high-pitched shrieking comes in, things can feel particularly jarring. So while the pacing has its bumps, it’s not a major issue. Still, I’d like to see Drouth explore more of its melancholic side, especially when opening tracks. The intros, particularly around the middle of the album, are a bit too conservative.
The best albums are the ones that surprise me in some way. Or maybe that’s just the opinion of someone who’s reviewed hundreds of records and is dying for a little sugar in their bland porridge. Either way, that’s what we’ve got here. It might not be for everyone, but Drouth is clearly trying to catch us off guard — and for once, I’m all in.
Label: Eternal Warfare Records
Release date: 16 May, 2025
Website: https://drouth.bandcamp.com/album/the-teeth-of-time
Country: USA
Score: 3.8/5.0 and maybe I’ll upgrade it later!
Pegah
Mortuanima (“dead soul”) is the debut album by Brazilian Funeral Doom trio Bleak Transcendence, composed of musicians Alexandre Antunes, Michael Siegwarth, and Wagner Müller. This album tells a mournful story of forgotten souls, lost dreams, and the weight of irreversible loss. The artwork, much like the music, blurs the line between life, death, and the unknowable, framing Mortuanima as a chilling meditation on existential horror. The distorted human figure on the cover evokes decay and spiritual corruption, while the mirror serves as a symbolic portal between the realms of the living and the dead. In the background, a shadowy staircase hints at fading memories and abandonment—a fitting visual for an album steeped in sorrow and reflection.
Metalcatto
At MER, we mostly review music that’d make your friends call your shrink more than once — or, well, music that’s doing its best to give Stravinsky a run for his money. However, sometimes your humble servant is fed up with deciphering what the heck is going on and just wants to sit back and headbang like a peasant. Tetrarch’s The Ugly Side of Me (so edgy!) promises to keep it fun, cool, and simple for once. And I, for once, hope that’s what we get out of this Nu-Metal nostalgia trip.
Metalcatto
Behemoth is a band with many faces. Just check out our rankings here and here to see what I mean. That said, I’d argue we’re now deep into the band’s edgelord era—where the music has remained relatively stable, while the lyrics and aesthetics have pushed harder toward controversy. Whether that approach works is up for debate. For me, the real issue is that Behemoth seems too comfortable in its sound and achievements. That’s why I approached The Shit ov God with caution, though still with a shred of hope.
Milo Lane
Cue Monday! If Mondays make you feel like smashing your face in with a rock, I come bearing a remedy to your ails — something that feels just as intense, but without the medical expenses. Coming from the Emerald Isle, here is Horrenda and its most recent EP, Think On Your Sins.
Metalcatto
We have unfinished business with Behemoth, and as we prepare for The Sh@t ov God to be smeared all over us, let’s continue this journey through its discography. If you haven’t read the first half, click here! Now, without further ado, let’s jump into the best half of this band’s catalogue — the one filled with actual legendary work!
Metalcatto
If you follow us on social media, you’ll know I have a complex relationship with Behemoth. This is because the band only has two modes: either it absolutely blasts me away, or it makes me sink into the worst depression ever—because of how much disdain I end up feeling. So in the end, I’m not angry, just disappointed. Join me in this ranking, where we’ll reach the lowest lows and the highest highs Metal can offer before we dive into The Sh@t ov God.
Metalcatto
It’s time to return to the roots of this forsaken section. Today, I bring you nothing but dirty, rancid Black Metal from the pit. However, don’t let all my adjectives fool you—there’s something interesting about every release I’ve picked. Whether it’s how at home they make us feel or how real they sound, there’s no doubt in my mind that Black Metal is more dead and alive at the same time than ever before. But enough babbling—let’s get to what you came for.
Metalcatto
Perhaps it’s the rage against the Central European Bank, but it’s already been decades since Greece became a Black Metal powerhouse. However, old school wouldn’t be the first term I’d use to describe that scene, which is why Eleventh Ray got my attention. Its upcoming album Reviving Tehom promises a strange return to an era when Black Metal wasn’t too filthy nor too clean—but let’s find out if there’s anything original to blast here.
Metal Eclipse Reviews 