metalcatto

Abhorrent Expanse – Enter The Misanthropocene

Metalcatto

There are times when bands answer questions nobody asked. Not because we hated the answer, but because we dreaded what could come next. That’s the case with Abhorrent Expanse’s Enter The Misanthropocene (basically any time before modern medicine, I guess). The album is a strange mix of Drone, Avant-Garde Metal, and Jazz. Yes, you heard that right — all these styles are mixed together to create the most bizarre experience I’ve had in a while. Or at least, that’s what I hoped for. But what did I get in the end? Stay tuned!

Blackbraid – Blackbraid III

Metalcatto

Our favorite Black/Folk act that’s not really that Folk is here! Most of us were there when Blackbraid took the Metal world by storm with a short, effective album that captured our imagination. It was Black/Folk that didn’t bastardize its own roots — no gimmicks, just music as a tool to tell a story. Then Blackbraid II hit us, showing the full potential of a project that kept people debating the real cultural background of its creator. Personally, I have little interest in judging people’s identities; as long as they treat the matter with respect, I have no problem. So, can Blackbraid III surprise us?

True kvlt: Mindistry, Artificial Perception, Laxis, Profiler, Nico & Kittenhead

Vicky & Metalcatto

We’ve had many submissions again! So, let’s go!

An Abstract Illusion – The Sleeping City

Metalcatto

I was there when An Abstract Illusion released Illuminate the Path and blew me away. Little did I know the band could reach even greater heights with Woe. Ever since Opeth traded Progressive Death Metal for Dadcore, Sweden hasn’t had a band to carry that torch. Meanwhile, scenes in Australia, Norway, and Germany have been thriving, building names of their own. But it was about time someone from the land of meatballs and cinnamon buns responded with authority. The Sleeping City could be that answer. The catch? The band is stepping into an almost impossible challenge. I mean, Woe was the Prog album of 2022, right? Let’s go.

Adur – We Fail to Love Ourselves

Metalcatto

Adur is walking a thin line for me. No, it hasn’t done anything wrong, and it hasn’t made awful music either. But it’s offering Post-Metal that deeply resembles Amenra and Cult of Luna—two bands I absolutely worship—which means We Fail to Love Ourselves has a tough battle ahead if it’s going to impress me. It’s not a competition, but comparisons are inevitable. And honestly, there aren’t many things I want more than a Post-Metal band that hits me hard in the feels instead of just giving me lounge Rock disguised as “atmospheric.” Let’s dive in.

Trudger – Void Quest

Metalcatto

Sometimes you miss the decadence of urban life—the filth that makes you feel alienated, and yet, it’s the only home you know. Why am I starting this so seriously? Where are all the jokes? You see, when Trudger came to us with Void Quest, I quickly realized this band shares members with Dvne (one of my top Prog albums of 2024). The promise was that this would be even darker and heavier, so obviously, I’m more excited than a drunkard in a liquor store (stop it! Get some help!). So let’s go!

Releases that almost fell through the cracks: Jonhatan Tenerini, Sylvie Fisichella, & Acid Age

Metalcatto

Hi there! It’s about time we check what we’ve missed this year. We get thousands of promos, and some good stuff is bound to end up in the junk folder—or worse, just buried under all the PR. Anyway, I wanted to focus on the peculiar Prog music that hasn’t had as much attention as it should so far. Notice I’m just using the term “Prog” generally instead of “people who play wacky music that will demand a music degree from you.” But let’s stop wasting time and begin!

Rauhnåcht – Zwichenwelten

Metalcatto

Here we go again—everyone’s favorite niche genre: Black Metal solo projects. But before you run away like you owe me money, let me tell you that Rauhnåcht actually has a label, plays more Folk than Atmospheric, and the production is surprisingly acceptable. That should be enough to entice you—or, if you’re Ixone, to totally disappoint you. Either way, let’s find out what Zwischenwelten is all about. We all have things to do and places to be, after all.

Crimson Butchery – Stalker

Metalcatto

Alright people, it’s been a few days of me reviewing popular bands that have almost made me regret this job. I need the underground to restore my faith in Metal! Luckily, Crimson Butchery brings us Stalker straight from the depths of hell. I mean that—just look at that grotesque artwork. The real question for me was whether the production would do justice to the music or just make it all disgusting in the wrong way. Let’s find out!

Lord of the Lost – OPVS NOIR Vol 1.

Metalcatto

Well, here we go again. We’ve actually got another band that was in Eurovision. Lord of the Lost is a kind of Gothic Metal act that caters to the edgy kids who never quite moved past harsh vocals in their Metal journey. So, you might be wondering—am I just covering Opus Noir Vol. 1 to vent my deeply rooted intolerance for the mainstream world? Maybe. But that doesn’t mean I won’t try to be fair.