Pegah & Metalcatto
So many bands, so little time. Let’s start!
Lights of Vimana – Neopolis: This is an atmospheric, cinematic Doom Metal project. Neopolis is an ideal choice for those who want to avoid the oppressive weight of Funeral Doom while maintaining a strong connection to the genre. The cover art, depicting a cityscape, aligns with the album’s title, reflecting the contrast between light and darkness, embodying both hope and a sense of mystery and sorrow. Every track, even the instrumental title piece, carries a powerful emotional weight. Blending clean and harsh vocals, the album moves with a balanced mix of fluid guitar work, soaring solos, and layered keyboards and electronics that add expansive, atmospheric depth to the sound. Click here!
Emo Loz – Still as Time: Alright people, this shouldn’t be my thing. It’s a harsh power ballad that touches all the sentimental places I avoid, but I can’t deny how catchy the vocals are and how heartbroken these lyrics feel. Sometimes I need my sadness raw, without too many riffs in between, and Emo Loz does this in a professional way. I’m mostly surprised this project hasn’t caught the eye of any promoters yet (wink wink!), because I could see how Still as Time has real commercial appeal. Click here!
Shea Coleman Turner – My Journey Home & When Shadows Fall: This was depressing in a strange and enigmatic way. A Christian Dark Rock album that sometimes becomes borderline Dungeon Synth is definitely creative. In fact, I’d dare to say we’ve never received anything like this before at MER. I was surprised by the risks and ideas taken here from Folk, Post-Rock, and Prog Rock, which make My Journey Home and When Shadows Fall more relaxing and yet unsettling at the same time. You should at least give it a try! Click here!
Joe Hærtz – Empty and Stronger: Enough sentimentality! How about some shred that doesn’t go too overboard and still tries to offer you decent songwriting? Well, that’s what Joe Hærtz is offering here—he shows he can play the heck out of those guitars, but also write fun songs. Don’t worry, Empty and Stronger is not a Djent instrumental! If anything, it’s more old school than that. Sure, the drums are a bit quiet, but if you’re a guitar nerd or someone who can’t digest too much growling (weak!), then Joe has you covered with this track. Click here!
Cyclone Prime – Entity: Sometimes you need music to fit your spiritual or substance-fueled journeys into the unknown. However, Tool and Mastodon aren’t the most active bands, so maybe Cyclone Prime can offer you something similar. Entity is definitely a Psychedelic/Progressive Rock experience that, despite being long and elaborate, is easy to listen to. It’s not too extreme in terms of heaviness; it focuses on creating that hypnotic and contemplative vibe so many of you enjoy. Still, there are moments that make me think of 90s Power/Prog bands, which leaves me with conflicting feelings—but overall, this was a nice surprise! Click here!
DESU TAEM – THAT!: We usually don’t give the same bands another appearance in True Kvlt so quickly, but THAT! is such a contrast to the previous submission that we couldn’t remain indifferent. Forget the hostile vibes—this is Stoner Rock that brings back those road trip feelings. There’s that mud and dirt that characterize this type of music. The band also shows how short tracks are its forte. I’m not sure how everything would fit together in one album, but when it comes to a retro experience in the deep underground, I’d keep an eye on this duo. Click here!
Dollflesh – DJ Big Toxic: You know at this point we can’t have a True Kvlt section without some Nu-Metal. Yes, there are a lot of familiar traits here when it comes to what we expect from the subgenre—potent guitars, edgy aesthetics—but I must admit, using silence as a way to build tension in a track like this is extremely rare. It takes confidence to leave that much space in our Metalsphere, which is why Dollflesh is a band to keep an eye on if you like your Metal this way. DJ Big Toxic is proof of that. Click here!
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Metal Eclipse Reviews 