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True kvlt – Katharein, Ember’s Ignite, Morgue Terror, Chaos Over Cosmos, Oriska

You know what time it is! It’s that time of the week when we check your submissions and decide whether to be ruthless or merciful, depending on how much nonsense we’ve had to put up with during the rest of the week. As usual, we have a wide range of submissions, from Power Metal to Brutal Death Metal. So, we have something for the whole family. In fact, we’ve signed up your whole family to our socials and blog. We’ll keep them all furious with our poor reviewer judgment, so much so that they’ll leave you in peace for a while. Think about it! Now, to the bands!

Diskord/ATVM – Bipolarities

I discovered Diskord by accident when they were part of Imperial Triumphant‘s first European tour. Needless to say, those two together have been the closest I’ve been to feeling under the influence of acid. I became a fan immediately and got myself a copy of Degenerations. As you’d expect, it was a degenerate experience that made me reconsider what metal was. Then there’s ATVM, which makes you feel just as high but takes a more technical route to success. Can you imagine the level of depravity that these two together can unleash? You don’t have to because Bipolarities is here!

Forgotten Tomb – Nightfloating

It’s time for something more idiosyncratic! At first glance, you might think there’s nothing too strange about Forgotten Tomb, but the more you delve into its work, the more you realize how little MeloBlack has been mixed with Doom Metal. “That’s a killer combo!” you might say, and that’s exactly what Nightfloating is about. But does it work, or does it float over our heads? (I’m so getting fired after that joke.) Forgive my poor comedic timing and stay with us!

Vanhelgd – Atropos Doctrina

Vanhelgd‘s newest album, Atropos Doctrina, has everything a reviewer would expect from a Swedish death metal band: the hard-to-pronounce name, the paganism, the cool art. What’s not to like? If anything, I was just concerned that this album would be another consistent and dirty 40+ minutes of music from the north. I always say before starting these reviews: if I get another Swedish band that wants to sound like Entombed or Dismember, I’m going to score it below 2.5 (and get canceled by the metal world in the process, of course). So, is Vanhelgd going to get me banned from the socials again, or is there hope?

Oxygen Destroyer – Guardian of The Universe

Those of you who voted in our Instagram poll get what you wanted. It wasn’t a full majority, but no election gets that these days. So, to surprise you, I dug deep into my inner child to bring you Oxygen Destroyer‘s newest album, Guardian of the Universe. It has freaking Gamera, Mothra, and Megalon-like monsters on the cover! How could it get any weirder and cooler at the same time? (Can we finally get Gamera and Gozilla to fight each other? Japan, make it happen!) I know, the real question is: can you take this album seriously? Join us on this trip through the ruins left by unknown creatures!

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Ulvehunger – Retaliation

We’re back to our bread and butter—Black Metal from the pits of (oh surprise!) Norway. We also have something of a super band, because Ulvehunger is made up of members from Satyricon, Disgusting, and Cadaver, just to name a few. However, I must say it’s been decades since I’ve fully enjoyed an album from any of these bands. Don’t throw hate at me; taste is like a butt: split. Despite this, I had no negative preconceptions about Retaliation. If anything, I want all bands to do well and be successful (see? It’s not so bad). Let’s find out if we can jump into this.

Attractive Chaos – Tame & Conquer

I know you think you’re tough! That you’re a creature from the depths of Hell. That you’ve rarely seen the light of day, blah blah… But for once, drop the act, because we’re about to overdose on sugar while reviewing Attractive Chaos‘s album Tame & Conquer, which promises to be more uplifting than reels of hamsters eating veggies. The promo even included a Shakespeare quote! What could be more uplifting than quoting the greatest tragic writer of his time? Okay, fine! He did write comedies too, but enough digressions. Let’s have some hope for once!

Totengott – Beyond The Veil

There are moments as a reviewer when you wonder if you’ve heard it all. Le temps détruit tout (time destroys everything), so I do wonder if there’s anything left before I become a cranky reviewer who doesn’t see the sunlight and can’t get off the floor without using my hands for support (oh, you feel addressed? Maybe you should!). Despite this, I welcomed Totengott‘s Beyond the Veil with no prejudices. Little did I know, I was about to embark on a strange and uncertain journey. Tag along!

True kvlt: Veln, Valfreya, Ghost of Agony & Crownless King

As we navigate the storm of endless submissions, we’ve encountered an interesting bunch from all walks of life, spanning from MeloDeath to Prog Metal. True kvlt is like a box of chocolates—you never know what you’re going to get, but you hope to avoid the licorice ones. Shall we start?

Interview with Tony Petrocelly from Construct of Lethe: Metal and mental health

Welcome back, everyone! I’ve hinted on many occasions that this section will mostly focus on interviewing people in unconventional parts of the Metal scene. However, at MER, we’re also strong advocates for mental health, and if you haven’t listened to A Kindness Dealt in Venom, you should. It’s a harrowing journey through the demons inside most of us. I met Tony in the most ironic way: he texted me to correct an enormous mistake in our Construct of Lethe review. He was understanding, and I could tell he was someone with a great eye for detail. Given the personal nature of this album, I couldn’t help but invite him for an interview.

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