Metalcatto
Time to recognize those albums crawling out of the sewers of the underground. The ones that struggle to even get 30 seconds of your attention, but promise a deep reward if you stick around. So here they are, in no particular order, the revelations of 2025.
The Biscuit Merchant – Tempora: With a project name that could scare off even the most brutal Metalhead (Why not just naming the band the boy/girl scout?), Tempora is an impressive trip through everything that makes Prog Death one of the most compelling subgenres in our Metalsphere. From conceptual depth to technical mastery, everything is in place. There’s nothing goofy about this release. The only real crime here is how underrated it feels. That’s exactly why I needed to give it one last shout-out before we all stuff ourselves with Christmas food.
Pedestal for Leviathan – Enter: Vampiric Manifestation: An album that caught me completely off guard. This is the proper soundtrack for Castlevania. Dark, Gothic, but taken extremely seriously, it really transports you into the horrors of a medieval castle (you know, its toilets and “heating” systems). If Cradle of Filth didn’t convince you because it felt too clean, or violated too many workers’ rights for your taste, then this is your chance to roll directly in vampire stool.
Am I in trouble? – Spectrum: Alright, I’ll say it straight, I love this album. This Folk/Post/Black Metal blend strongly evokes Ashbringer for me, and you can never really go wrong that way. The playful flute passages and the absolute contrast between tracks truly remind you of all the colors implied by the title. It’s dynamic, emotive, and surprisingly cohesive despite its range. Sure, it sounds a bit kvlt, but that only adds to the charm, right? This is a proper rainbow experience—something even your grandma could get behind.
Floating – Hesitating Lights: This is Sweden’s response to Crippling Alcoholism, or basically The Cure if it made music I actually cared about. Floating is strange in the best way, mixing Pop/Goth sensibilities with some of the nastiest Death Metal pulled straight from the pit. The result is an ethereal, almost relaxing experience disguised in aggression and decadence. There’s a lot of potential here, and it sets the bar high for future releases aiming to walk a similar line. If anything, I can’t wait to hear this band push this even further.
Double Mute – Corporate Culture_FINAL_v2: This album is here, so I can smack it a bit. First of all, it has the most upsetting artwork of the year, hands down. That aside, this is a modern take on Office Space meeting Ulver. It’s raw, hilarious, colorful, and most of all an Avant-Garde satire of post-COVID corporate absurdity. This is the kind of album that makes me thankful I chose an academic life instead of a corporate job. So, yeah, I’m sorry for you, I guess. Gotta go give the Lambo a spin so it stays intact. See you!
Metal Eclipse Reviews 