metalcatto

Frayle – Herectics & Lullabies

Metalcatto

Alright, we’ve had some weird and strange albums lately, so how about we return to something even your little cousin can listen to as an introduction to our dark world. Frayle’s Heretics & Lullabies is an enigmatic album in a way. You see, at first glance, it might feel like this is some Nu-Metal spin-off, but the band tends to dive more into Goth and even Doom Metal constantly, which makes it hard to label — but I guess that’s why I’m here, to put names on things people hate to label themselves. I’ll bite the bullet for you!

Veilburner – Longing for Triumph, Reeking of Tragedy

Metalcatto

It hasn’t even been a year since SonikGoat gave Veilburner a crazy score for The Duality of Decapitation and Wisdom. It was indeed a creative effort that showed how Veilburner remains one of the most unique bands out there. I’ve been following the band for a few years now, and despite even owning some of its albums, I’ve always believed it could achieve perfection. That said, consistency isn’t even a question at this point. We know exactly what we’re getting — interdimensional evil music — when these guys are in charge of Longing for Triumph, Reeking of Tragedy. So sit back and prepare yourself for dissonance!

True kvlt: Withoutend, Cevret, Red Skies Dawning, The Axolotl Project & Nicolas

Metalcatto

No mercy! Let’s go!

Pest – Eternal Nightmares

Metalcatto

There’s something that many of you feel about German Black Metal. I’m not exactly sure what it is, but maybe it’s similar to what I feel about German Post/Black Metal. Yes, that’s a pretentious distinction to make, but hey — I’ve spent most of my reviewer life putting names to things, so you’ll have to put up with it for a bit. Pest is one of those classic Black Metal bands that, with Eternal Nightmares, promises consistency above all else. But the real question is: will this be fun, or just work? Let’s find out.

Death Has Spoken – Elegy

Metalcatto

I know! We’ve just reviewed some Death/Doom, so why are we doing it again? Well, not every day do we get some of it from Poland, and I thought, well, let’s see if pierogi isn’t the only thing they do differently there. So here we are, ready to dive into some hardcore depression that somehow makes us feel good for at least a few minutes before we’re dragged back into the pain and sorrow of capitalist existence. Oh, sorry! This is Death Has Spoken’s Elegy — let’s go!

Hooded Menace – Lachrymose Monuments of Obscuration

Metalcatto

Let’s say you’re really into Death/Doom and don’t know who Hooded Menace is. Umm, I’m trying to follow up that phrase with a way to forgive you, but it’s hard. Not many bands have continued releasing reliable and even spectacular retro-Metal like these guys. Albums like Never Cross the Dead, Darkness Drips Forth, and Ossuarium Silhouettes Unhallowed are now considered classics. So, you can imagine the bar is high — and since my 80s nostalgia is non-existent, good luck to the band in this review!

Light Dweller/Aoecist/Sleep Paralysis – Illusory Dissolvents

Metalcatto

We cover next to no splits at MER. That’s not totally out of spite, but it’s taken a long time to find one that’s both long and fun enough to write about. So here comes Illusory Dissolvents, mixing up Sleep Paralysis, Aoecist, and Light Dweller. One heavier and more twisted than the other, I know! But can they all work together in a way that fits? Or am I going to feel like someone threw a dead cod in my chocolate pudding? Time to find out if my faith in splits should be restored.

Revocation – New Gods, New Masters

Metalcatto

Yes, I know I’m late for this one, but I was stuck on the other side of the bridge trying to survive those Danish prices. Revocation needs no introduction — is there any band that can bend the rules of guitar playing more than this one? Still, I have an awkward confession: I’ve always struggled to return to its material since Deathless. The quality has always been unmatched, but something about it hadn’t fully clicked with me for a long time. Could New Gods, New Masters finally revoke my skepticism? Ha! That’s probably my worst pun yet.

True kvlt: Black Idol, Veion, Transgalactica, Eiral & World Without Humans

Metalcatto

You know the drill already. Kill or be killed, let’s go!

Voragoth – Storm Obey No Masters!

Milo Lane

Greetings, good folk — the prodigal son has returned, and he brings with him an offering worthy of reconciliation. (I swear.) It is Voragoth‘s debut Storm, Obey No Masters! This album found its way to my ears like a messenger from a long-forgotten land, and I cannot help but feel a deep pride for it. It carries more than just music — it carries the weight of folk spirit, of voices joined in comradery, of bonds forged through thousands of years of struggle and memory. Listening feels less like pressing a button that says ‘play’ and more like sitting in a circle where every voice matters, where melody itself is an entity, and a friend.