Suffering so you don't have to!
Metalcatto
I was under the assumption that Sallow Moth was a Prog-Death band, so when I dove into Hydrophilous Brood, I paid no attention to that album title. That clearly says this thing eats children for breakfast and puppies for lunch. However, it wasn’t exactly easy to categorize. That doesn’t mean we’re not going to try today. I’ll say one thing: you can feel the ambition this band has even before you click play. But enough talking. Let’s start.
Metalcatto
After yesterday’s dive into the most sellout of sellouts, we had to return to the most kvlt Metal out there: French Black Metal. Malebeste isn’t as weird or abstract as a lot of Black Metal from the baguette land. However, Monestherou is still a listen for the experts. It’s not going to make it easy for you noobs, but don’t worry—that’s what I’m here for. Someone has to hold the flashlight while you navigate this sewer.
Metalcatto
Not many bands have disappointed me like Dimmu Borgir. It’s been decades since I truly enjoyed one of their albums. In fact, I was thinking of ignoring Grand Serpent Rising, but then I recalled this is a big band, and we love chasing clout around here. Anyway, let’s see if this thing is worth our time or if it’s going to be another Eonian.
Metalcatto
Time for our Thrash album of the month. W.M.D. is Canadian Thrash. That means they’re coming for our heads, but they’ll ask politely first, which would be a nice change for once. It’s hard to have anything new to offer in one of the most ancient subgenres of the Metalsphere, but Against All Warnings is going to try to convince us. Let’s see if it manages to take our money and run.
Metalcatto
It’s almost summer here up north. It’s sunny, warm, and beautiful. What better way to ruin all of that than by listening to some soul-crushing and godless Death and Doom Metal from the pit? In Vespro is dropping this album named Where Silence Used To Sleep, which obviously isn’t going to be about riding into the sunset with all your friends and family singing happy songs. It’s going to make you go back to therapy—or that’s what I hope for. But you know how it is with the mellow stuff. Hit or miss.
Metalcatto
We don’t get enough Hardcore Punk and Grindcore at MER. It’s not that we find it boring, but it doesn’t help that so many of these releases come with potato-quality production that makes everything sound like it was recorded inside a trash can. However, Meltification promised that wasn’t going to be the case with their self-titled album, Meltification. So, with all my skepticism intact, I’m still diving into this pool of violence and rage. Let’s see if the production delivers.
Metalcatto
Brazil is known for its Death and Power Metal, but how much for its Post-Metal? Granted, this is more of a Prog and Post mix, but Loneshore is only two albums into its career and already getting signed by big labels. That’s why Nothing Left to Deconstruct inspires a certain confidence in me. It feels as if all the parts here are too big to fail, but I’ve also seen bands with as much potential crash and burn faster than a kite in a rainstorm. Optimism has never been my strong suit.
Metalcatto
Are you an expert on experimental Hardcore? I thought so. Then you can imagine the level of confusion I was in when Erdve‘s Epigrama hit me with such an enigmatic artwork and overall musical proposal. This is probably the first or second album we’ve gotten fully in Lithuanian. They could be singing about their breakfast, and we’d be like “this is the sickest thing ever.” Anyway, there’s nothing cute about this release, so let’s try to navigate it without much emotional damage, shall we?
Metalcatto
I didn’t see this one coming. Panopticon is arguably the project to beat in Black and Folk Metal. Even though Laurentian Blues left me a bit skeptical, every album since Roads to the North has been close to a masterpiece. The ups and downs that Lunn likes to put us through make Det Hjemsøkte Hjertet enigmatic and unpredictable even before the first listen. But let’s get to it, shall we?
Metalcatto
It’s been some time since I dared to return to the oversaturated nightmare that old school Death Metal has become. Astriferous has at least a name that indicates the band feels serious and comfortable in its corpse skin. Atavistic Unraveling should have enough tentacles for everyone. I’m just worried about the adrenaline dump this might cause me if it’s too old school.
Metal Eclipse Reviews 