Suffering so you don't have to!
Milo Lane
You might say you’re not a fan of Epica, and I’ve been guilty of making similar statements over the years. But, as I avoid eggs coming at my face for declaring such a thing publicly, I must accentuate my lack of bias—or expectation—upon hearing its newest release, Aspiral, and… I hope you’ll keep your groceries stored for better use. Having done my homework, I repent—and announce some serious drooling in the following text.
There’s a dark place in my heart reserved for Turkey’s Diabolizer. You see, it was the first album I ever purchased on Bandcamp. Despite Brutal Death Metal being one of Metal’s most monotonous subgenres, I was blown away by the sheer evil and violence of Khalkedonian Death. It hit that perfect sweet spot between technical prowess and heinous brutality. It’s felt like forever, but now Murderous Revelations is here—and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried the band might just end up being another Hyperdontia copycat. But could that really be true?
One could argue that I’m now an old school Soliloquium fan, since Contemplations was my introduction to the band. Needless to say, I still listen to it today. It’s that perfect mix of Prog and Swedish Melodeath that’s not always easy to find. The band has done interesting things since then, but Famine seems to aim for a more personal direction – channeling all the suffering and pain its creator went through (something common in Metal, let’s be honest). So the real question is: will this satisfy us or leave us hungry?
I have two awkward confessions. First, I almost forgot we’ve got this promo because, well, I now get more emails than a professor on sabbatical. Second, though, Messa has always been interesting and engaging—it’s a band that never really caught me. It always felt like retro-Metal to me, but now that I give The Spin a spin (don’t hit me!), could my opinion finally change? The band has been at it for a while, but it’s never too late for me to start a redemption arc, right?
Vicky
I get that Burzum, Darkthrone, and Mayhem are considered to be the best Black metal bands, but can we agree to disagree? There are people (much like myself) who prefer Doom, Atmospheric, or Gothic Black Metal, and they probably won’t agree with those who think the style doesn’t go farther than those aforementioned bands. As a matter of fact, I want to tell you more about the latest album released by the Black Metal project Exiled Hope, Apocrypha—you can thank me later for helping you discover this hidden gem of dark music. First thing’s first, Apocrypha is Exiled Hope’s third full-length album, a follow-up to the band’s previous LPs, Exiled Hope (2020), and Angel of Greytown (2021). So this band plays Black Metal, but here’s the twist: it’s a US-based one-man band—or should I say, a one-woman band—founded by Sofia Frasz, also known for her work with the bands Figures and Stygal.
It’s nothing new to say that In the Woods… is a band that has not only defied genre conventions but also done its own thing regardless of the times. Whether that worked or not is a subject for great discussion. However, I’m going to take the safe (chicken!) route and say that the band’s first three albums are classics—and then things changed (see, nobody’s hurt yet!). So, Otra is trying to get every Black/Prog/Avant-Garde Metalhead on board for once, and that’s a Herculean task. Is it even possible?
Instrumental Metal is something that many noobs dream of having. All your friends who hate “screaming” claim to want something like this—only to never listen to it anyway. That’s the reality of the game: people hate growling until it’s not there. However, that doesn’t take away from the merits of a band like Rýr, whose approach on Disloged makes me think of a less brutal Cult of Luna—yet still heavier than Pelican (let’s be honest, anything is heavier than Pelican). But enough mixed signals—let’s dig into what this album is all about.
Pegah
Kiritsis (meaning “small master” in Greek) is a U.S.-based band that thrives at the volatile crossroads of Doom, Sludge, and Hardcore. Their sound is defined by harsh, shouted vocals, crushing low-end guitars, and a raw, unrelenting emotional intensity that mirrors the gravity of their themes. That tension isn’t just audible—it’s woven into the album’s visuals and symbolism. The cover features a stark, medieval-style etching: a crowned figure seated on a throne, confronted by a peasant or servant raising a hand (and possibly a weapon). This imagery reflects the infamous Tony Kiritsis hostage situation, which the band explicitly references. It’s a symbolic clash of power and desperation, of the oppressed seizing control by force—a perfect visual prelude to the chaos that erupts in the music.
Vicky
If you do some research to find out which Symphonic Metal bands come from Romania, you’ll come across groups such as Interitus Dei, Nocturnal Eternity, Whispering Woods, Symphress, Dark Æclipse, Magica, Adastia, and Aeon Sun. I recommend searching for these bands on your preferred streaming platform and giving their music a listen—they’re truly worth it.
Stargazer Scholar
Allegaeon is a daunting band. No, the musicians don’t wear corpsepaint, and no, they don’t employ spooky dissonant chords to ward off the casual listener. It’s just that their discography is so amazingly solid. One may prefer certain records to the others, but come on—none of those albums is anything less than highly enjoyable. So imagine the feelings that tormented me during the anticipation of The Ossuary Lens: Will this unlikely career-long run of form continue, or will the band finally allow itself a misstep? Well, no spoilers—you’ll have to read the whole thing.
Metal Eclipse Reviews 