Suffering so you don't have to!
Metalcatto
Sludge Metal sometimes doesn’t even feel like Metal. Maybe it’s because the fanbase seems so far removed from the usual extreme lore that I often forget these releases even exist. However, Ghold looked like a band that deserved some attention, and with a title like Bludgeoning Simulations, I was left wondering if it was going to be ultra-violent or just a parody of the normal beatdown our ears get at MER Industries. There was only one way to find out — by clicking that shady link!
Metalcatto
We have an interesting history with bands somehow inspired by Kaiju (just click here!). That said, the Heavy Metal act Jet Jaguar isn’t exactly what I review daily — usually, Elyna takes on all that uplifting stuff that makes my fur fall off. But Jet Jaguar’s Severance had that nerdy name that made the Metalkitten (my son) say, “Take the one about the robot that fights Godzilla!” I’m pretty sure that’s not what they were going for, but hey — I guess I need to experience different things before time runs out! Let’s begin.
Metalcatto
You know the drill, just click here!
Pegah
The American death/funeral doom band Evoken returns with Mendacium, their newly released album steeped in medieval anguish. According to their Bandcamp, the record unfolds in the 14th century, following an aging Benedictine monk stricken with illness and confined to his monastic chamber. His unwavering devotion to God brings neither solace nor redemption. As his body withers and sleepless agony consumes him, the cover art vividly mirrors his torment — a visceral portrayal of suffering and spiritual decay. The spreading blood evokes a sense of sacrifice, as though he is being devoured by his own faith, while the stark contrast between light and shadow within the stone walls captures the divide between his inner torment and the unreachable world beyond.
Metalcatto
I’m feeling generous this week with all the debuts we’ve been reviewing for free. Defigurement presents itself as an experimental Grindcore band, and I’m honestly pleased to live in an era where Grind tries to go beyond the usual chaos we’ve come to expect. It’s not that the genre is too heavy—it’s that it often lacks innovation. However, Endbryo (yes, that’s an edgy title) promises to change the formula and offer something more than just relentless aggression. Before you get your hopes up too high, though, maybe you should read the rest of this review.
Elyna Kahn
Winds of Time, the second album by American band Wings of Steel. Following its 2023 debut Gates of Twilight, the band founded by guitarist Parker Halub and vocalist Leo Unnermark delivers an album that combines a powerful and brilliant modern sound with music that honors the purest form of Heavy Metal, born in late 70s England.
Metalcatto
It’s almost time for Halloween, and I think we’re all trying to find a decent release that fits the mood. I got a random promo from Pedestal for Leviathan for Enter: Vampyric Manifestation, and while these promos don’t usually get much attention, the band sent me a FLAC file—and that always merits respect. Enter: Vampyric Manifestation is what happens when Dying Fetus and Dimmu Borgir have a child together (so, I guess in this case the fetus made it through—yay!). I know it sounds disgusting, but I’m here to tell you to hold on and keep reading.
Vicky
If you listen to Black Metal, you might want to read this article. If not, then these following lines might confuse you at least a tiny bit. We know English Black Metal, don’t we? Starting with Venom, continuing with some infamous bands that I might not mention in this article – that, by the way wants to be somewhat decent, and mentioning groups with bizarre names doesn’t exactly help too much –, and finally ending with Cradle of Filth, the Brits definitely have what it takes to make us feel whatever Black Metal is supposed to make people feel (do they all want to make us dance or am I just thinking of CoF’s collab with Ed Sheeran?).
Vicky
I was convinced that this band’s name was “Borginator”, so trying to find them on Google was not even slightly fun. Anyhow, this review is for all those of you who like Death Metal, fun, and doing questionable things, like smoking weed. Actually, there was this person on Reddit who said that Bonginator has “great songs, stupid lyrics, ’80s style intros.” And that pretty much sums it all up. How? Let’s find out.
Metalcatto
Let’s do this as usual! With violence!
Metal Eclipse Reviews 