metalcatto

Structure – Heritage

It’s been a bit of a slow year for Doom so far (hehe!), but maybe that’s about to change – because when you see Structure‘s Heritage cover art, you know there are only two ways this can go: breathtaking and unforgiving Death/Doom, or just a bloated, pretentious mess. There’s next to no middle ground when it comes to releases that take themselves this seriously, where everything feels personal and built through time and pain. There’s not much else I can say to introduce a project that promises so much from the start, yet we all know how full the world is of disappointment. So let’s see what we have here.

Robust – Robust

It’s been a while since we’ve tackled a proper dose of raw Black Metal – the kind that makes you want to rip your hair out and sends your cat scrambling under the bed. Normally, we let those rancid “true kvlt” promos pass by unnoticed, but every so often, something slithers out of the void that’s just too interesting to ignore. Enter Robust – Robust (yes, the album is as sturdy as its name suggests). Think the name lacks edge? Don’t worry, because this is about to plunge straight into the abyss.

Warbringer – Wrath and Ruin

Stargazer Scholar

Thrash Metal is important. Few other subgenres of heavy music could boast the same historical significance, and it is undoubtedly Thrash Metal that we have to thank for all things Black Metal, Death Metal, and extreme Metal. Thrash metal is overcrowded. Let’s face it, since the pioneers of the eighties and early nineties gave way to multitudes upon multitudes of nostalgic acts, the highest achievements of the movement came from its fusion with other subgenres like Prog or Groove.

True kvlt: Syndr, Dark Æclipse & Váthos

Vicky & Metalcatto

The time has come for me to let the fresher blood take care of an entire True kvlt article. Don’t cry—I’ll probably be back to do most of the heavy lifting next week. It’s not my fault that you readers and musicians have made a habit of directly contacting my writers to cut the line (it doesn’t work that way!). I don’t mind; it means I get to work less. So, without further ado, Vicky has some opinions today.

Cradle of Filth – The Screaming of the Valkyries

Cradle of Filth is a band that you probably already love or hate—there’s no in-between. Say what you want, but these romantic vampires don’t leave anyone indifferent. Yet, for me, the craziest thing about the band is how it went from being more washed-up than Ali in the ’80s to having a second prime in its later years. I can’t think of any other band that has pulled off such a comeback in the last decade. So, ironically, I did have high expectations for The Screaming of the Valkyries.

Alien Weaponry – Te Rā

Not every day we get a Kiwi band, and not every day we get one that dares to have lyrics in te reo Māori. As someone who spends life jumping between languages (it comes with my business and colorful family members), Alien Weaponry is a band that walks a thin line between Djent, Heavy Metal, and MeloDeath. Honestly, it’s hard to pin it down, but in Te Rā, it seems clear to me that the band aims to conquer the Metal masses. But does it succeed? Let’s find out!

Cercle du Chêne – Récits d’Automne et de Chasse

You look at Cercle du Chêne‘s Récits d’Automne et de Chasse art and think, “Oh, this must sound lovely and cute—it’ll remind me of my happy days watching Disney movies.” However, a seasoned reviewer like me sees this art and thinks, “Oh no! This is probably going to sound like Watership Down and have a lot of talking because it’s French Black Metal, and they have to let us know it’s French, you know?” Still, I was curious to see what this strange mix of Dungeon Synth and Black Metal had to offer. I mean, we tend to not even listen to these kinds of albums at MER, but sometimes, the underdogs deserve a chance in life.

Dissocia – To Lift The Veil

Vicky

I’m just curious—does anyone remember Cancer? No, not the gut-wrenching illness, but the far less awful (and actually pleasant) band. I’m counting on the fact that you probably do… and I’m also counting on you at least politely nodding while reading this article before searching Encyclopaedia Metallum to find out what the deal with Cancer is. Now that you’ve returned, I can mention why I brought up those Death Metal titans: the group’s drummer, Gabriel Valcázar, is a member of Dissocia. Of course, he isn’t the only one. Dissocia also features vocalist, guitarist, bassist, and synthesist Daniel R. Flys, known for his work with Persefone, Eternal Storm, and others. On the epilogue, “Out of Slumber”, you may even hear the skilled violinist Paul R. Flys.

Severed Angel – When Eternity Ends

The other writers at MER Industries will have you believing that I’m all about Power Metal and old-fashioned Prog Metal, despite evidence like this and this to prove otherwise. However, I’ll admit it’s fun to joke about those styles. That said, sometimes a band comes along that makes me question my prejudices and encourages me to be more open-minded. Such is the case with Severed Angel’s When Eternity Ends. An album that promises traditional Prog Metal without making me feel like I’m betraying my Metalhead roots—but does it deliver? Stay with me!

Wombbath – Beyond the Abyss

I discovered Wombbath the way many of us have gotten into old-school Swedish Death Metal in this digital age—through a Bandcamp sale! I checked out a few of their albums and decided they were worth a shot. Needless to say, Wombbath is a pinnacle of consistency. To me, all its albums sit at least at a solid 3.5/5.0. However, there are only so many times you can pull off the chainsaw trick before it chops your arms off. And Beyond the Abyss is here to prove that the band can keep juggling familiar sounds without losing a limb.