Reviews – Page 49 – Metal Eclipse Reviews

Carnwennan – Lotus

The sun shines this morning; the warmth hits me and makes me feel like hope is within reach. There’s a brief moment of joy in this peace and calm. Wouldn’t it be awesome to ruin all that with some Stoner/Doom Metal straight from Albany, NY? You’re right, that’s exactly what we should do, which is why today, we’re going to talk about Carnwennan – Lotus, an album that promises to burn down any feelings of happiness you were planning to have today. I know you like pain, so let’s just stop the nonsense and judge if this debut (yes, another one) breaks us or not.

The Omega Swarm – Crimson Demise

Sometimes, I check my spam emails because the universe always dumps the most important releases there. The Omega Swarm looked like any other promo at first. Sure, it had cool cover art, but there wasn’t much more to say right away. However, when I read that this band is closely linked to probably the most interesting Lovecraft-inspired band ever, Sulphur Aeon (don’t worry, I know about The Great Old Ones; they’re also at the top), I decided to avoid the summer sunlight again and just lose myself in Crimson Demise. So, is it an abyss of despair or just as meh as Lovecraft’s writing style? Let’s find out!

Rotting Christ – Pro Xristou

The Catto’s mailbox is an absolute mess. Three underpaid interns have come and gone trying to put order in there. Hence, I’ll blame them! (not their poor working conditions) for being late at checking Rotting Christ – Pro Xristou; the 14th installment in this band’s illustrious career. Needless to say, Rotting Christ is an institution in our community that clearly could care less about my opinion. However, you should care, so time to read!

Parfaxitas – Weaver of the Black Moon

People, here we go again. We’ve got one of those! You know, those Black Metal albums that take themselves seriously and aim to create art that leaves you howling. Parfaxitas sounds like it’s from Iceland, has members from Iceland, but also from Norwegian and USA, making it hard for me to know which tradition is predominant here (it’s a bit of a super band created by Sinmara, Whoredom Rife and Suffering hour members). I’m sure that the members of this project will be absolutely delighted by any confusion or mystery they can cast over us, so I won’t dig around too much—I love a good mystery! Anyway, what should you expect from Weaver of the Black Moon? Is it another great album from the north or just stale Black Metal? Stay with me!

Unhallowed Deliverance – Of Sepctres and Strife

One of our underpaid interns told me that we had received an independent promo worth my full attention. Of course, I told them they were out of their minds and proceeded to cut them off without mercy because the Catto runs this site like the colonial powers used to run Africa—with a complete disregard for human decency. Either way, I gave Unhallowed Deliverance‘s Of Spectres and Strife a chance because the cover art looked legit (in Metal, always judge an album by its art). So, was it worth my time?

SIG:AR:TYR – Citadel of Stars

What is it with Canada lately? I keep getting interesting promos from that place. We all know it’s nothing new that the land of maple syrup has phenomenal Metal, but lately, I’ve noticed a substantial diversification. You just have to check this or this to get what I mean. Now SIG:AR:TYR is back with Citadel of Stars, and I must admit I’m kind of excited. I’ve been a fan since Northern came out and always wondered why the act never released anything new. Did it die? Or worse, did it find happiness? No and no! So, we have a new album to examine!

Swelling Repulsion – Fatally Misguided

Transcending Obscurity has become the label for Tech Death. In whatever shape you like it, they probably have a band that can play as technical, as fast, or as disgusting as you need it. Enter Swelling Repulsion (nice name, by the way), an act that has a difficult task: to stand out in a year full of impressive Tech Death (see The Last of Lucy’s Godform or Replicant). In its newest effort, Fatally Misguided (just like you making career choices), the band is attempting to show that it has a different proposal for you, but is it even possible to get out of the comfort zone? Notice that Tech Death relax time is still the most stressful moment in the lives of 90% of musicians.

True kvlt: Lyssophobia – Sadismos

This is a special segment dedicated to bands emerging deep from the underground, defying all odds to produce compelling work. These acts possess a rawness often absent from mainstream bands, though it might be an acquired taste. The choice is yours—show them love or hate, but whatever you do, give them something!

Hellbutcher – Hellbutcher

Don’t you ever feel that Black Metal is sometimes kind of stale? As if you’ve heard it all before? I don’t mean combined styles like Black/Folk, Black/Post, Blackened Death—those seem to be doing well. However, pure Black Metal can be more predictable than your morning routine. It’s almost as if there’s some edge lacking on the blade. Nifelheim was a project that understood this and added real excitement to this old formula. From its ashes rises Hellbutcher, a bit of a super band by Swedish standards (even if it’s technically a solo project). I know that “solo” and “super” at the same time might make you nervous, but should we give Hellbutcher the benefit of the doubt?

Árstíðir lífsins – Aldrlok

When it comes to Black and Post Metal, Iceland is a force to be reckoned with. In fact, I’ll probably write a blog entry about it in the future, even though these lovely people sort of beat me to it long ago. To put it briefly, it’s Metal that sounds like a volcano erupting in the darkest place on Earth, while you hide in a cave with freezing temperatures. Árstíðir lífsins is one of the many exponents of the style, but with the difference that it takes the Icelandic formula to its ultimate end. With a discography already filled with enigmatic poetry, where does Aldrlok fit in? Well, you’re in luck today.