Metalcatto
What? Another again? Well, you’re sending too much stuff. I’m trying to keep up!
Rivertskull – The Hammer Falls: I know what you’re wondering. Does this sound like HammerFall? Well, not exactly, but it does have that Heavy-Power Metal touch running through its veins. Yet it’s still less polished and totally more underground than many of those other projects dominating the scene. The track carries a nostalgic weight while remaining dirty enough for those of you who’ve grown tired of sterile overproduction. It’s the kind of sound that reminds you Metal doesn’t need a million-dollar budget to connect. Sometimes grit communicates more than gloss ever could.
Ekosa – Deliver Us from Evil: Edgy title, right? But don’t worry, the track itself delivers on the promise. It’s nasty, oppressive, and ready to tear you to pieces without apology. What it lacks in raw speed, it compensates for in absolute heaviness and savagery. This was a pleasant surprise in the batch, the kind of discovery that makes wading through submissions worthwhile. You can see how disturbed I already am by the fact that I’m describing this trip to hell and back as fun. But here we are.
Avaland – Sail On: Setting aside the huge sound differences, this track made me think of old Candlemass if it had modern production and a much faster tempo. So yes, it’s totally different from that comparison in practice, but also super dramatic in a good way. The epic qualities are undeniable, and the execution lands with confidence. If you like big emotions in your Metal, this is where you should be spending your time. Nothing wrong with enjoying an epic tune here and there, right? Even the most hardened kvlt warriors need a moment of grandeur occasionally.
Aviditas – Clock of Doom: It’s depressing Doom time, folks. This track is crushingly heavy, but it’s also genuinely tragic—almost like a softer Draconian, which is nothing but a flattering comparison if we’re being honest. Aviditas isn’t new to this section by any means, but it’s a band that, with the right tweaks here and there, could become a significant force in the Doom Metal scene. The foundation is solid, the atmosphere is thick, and the emotional weight lands. Do I need to say more? Probably not, but I will anyway: keep an eye on these ones.
Antipodes – Petrichor: Now this is something strange, but in all the right ways. Is it Prog? Or maybe a power ballad? Perhaps both simultaneously? I love a band that defies easy labels, and that’s exactly what we have here. A track that takes its time to build up interesting textures and what feels like endless landscapes of absolute desolation, all without getting too extreme in terms of aggression. It’s patient, deliberate, and rewards those who give themselves over to its pace. “Petrichor” is the smell of rain on dry earth, and this track captures that same sense of longing and renewal. Beautiful stuff.
Metal Eclipse Reviews 