metalcatto

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.

Dropout Kings – Yokai

Metalcatto

I’m going to try something new and difficult for once. First, reviewing Dropout Kings’ Yokai, which is the closest we’ve come to covering a completely different music genre. Second, being honest yet respectful, given the irreplaceable human loss the band has recently suffered. So, despite my deep-seated disdain for most Nu-Metal or Hip-Hop, I’m willing to change (unlike your parents!). Let’s dive in—because that cover art promises madness.

True kvlt: DoomsVein, Maanvlinder, Slutavverkning, Igarka, Glitch & Steve X

Metalcatto

You guys are sending me so much stuff lately, so no need for an intro, let’s go!

Ursawrath – Emergence

Metalcatto

Ursawrath has the kind of name that reminds me of the good old days of the Soviet Union (you know, during the Great Purge and so on). That’s obviously not meant as praise, but it certainly grabbed my attention. Emergence seemed promising to me. It’s been a good year for Thrash—especially for young, hungry bands proving that the most politically subversive of all Metal subgenres is alive and well. Now the real question is whether Ursawrath can break the cycle and offer something truly its own, or if I’m just staring down the barrel of another nostalgia trip I never signed up for. Stay with me and find out.

LOMMI- 667788

Metalcatto

There’s something you need to know about me as a proud Stockholmer: I can’t miss a chance to make fun of Gothenburg. So you can imagine my disappointment when I got LOMMI‘s 667788 (or as I like to call it, grandpa’s password) and not a single member was named Glenn or Jimmy. You’d have to be deep in the culture to get that joke. Still, I promised myself I’d put my prejudice aside and give this Heavy/Groove Metal outfit a fair shot. Will I be biased because of city rivalries? Absolutely. But I’ll try to behave.