Reviews – Page 57 – Metal Eclipse Reviews

Devenial Verdict – Blessing of Despair

In 2022, Devenial Verdict released Ash Blind, an album that was among the best I found that year. So, you can imagine that when I heard Blessing of Despair was coming out this year, I was more excited than the last time Transcending Obscurity did a “name your price” digital sale (I’m not hinting at anything for the future, of course! wink wink). Still, I also felt a bit nervous because we’ve had so much amazing Disso-Death this year that I started to wonder if there were any areas left to explore in the subgenre. Let’s see if Devenial Verdict has an answer for us!

Endonomos – Endonomos II – Enlightenment

It’s been a decent year for Doom Metal! We’re in the midst of a revival, particularly of the more melancholic aspects of the sub-genre. Endonomos may not have been on our radar for very long, but if I had to describe the project, I’d call it a mix of Pallbearer, Fvneral Fvkk, and Swallow the Sun. I know what you’re thinking: “I hate soft Death/Doom”. But hear me out—Endonomos II – Enlightenment seems to offer something different that could melt the coldest heart (this me reaching new levels of corny). It’s time!

Abramelin – Sins Of The Father

SonikGoat

It’s always great to see how many people are actively engaged in talking about, sharing, name-dropping, and posting new music. It’s part of what makes underground scenes so rewarding—the word-of-mouth aspect of how music finds its way to the most receptive ears. Especially in a fast-moving, worldwide scene like Metal, a band can quickly ascend from relative obscurity to cult status, propelled by the rapid, viral nature of word-of-mouth “promotion”. These days, it feels like a great album by a band I’ve never encountered lands on my radar at least once a week, if not more.

Ghostheart Nebula – Blackshift

Elased

VdB 141 is the astronomical designation for the distinctive Ghost Nebula in the constellation Cepheus.IC 1805, on the other hand, refers to the Heart Nebula in the neighboring constellation Cassiopeia. These two codes form the title of the intro to this album and at the same time explain the enigmatic name of the band, Ghostheart Nebula. In its musical vision, the band merges the two nebulae into a mystical collision of almost impenetrable soundscapes. It may seem an ambitious undertaking, but the name and the idiosyncratic symbol could hardly be more fitting. No one has ever captured the essence of void, loneliness, hopelessness, farewell, and loss in such astronomical dimensions of darkness, weightless spacelessness, and disembodiment.

Death Like Mass – The Lord of Flies

It’s been a while since we covered a debut. You know us—we’re defenders of the deep underground. While I wouldn’t say Death Like Mass comes without some noise, today feels like a low-key moment to talk about some decadent and obscure Black Metal. On another note, when did Poland become the land of Black Metal? Is it the Catholic guilt? Anyway, I digress. With a title like The Lord of The Flies, this release promises something disgusting and maniacal, right? But you know how it is—Black Metal can always find new ways to let you down. That’s why I approach this with open arms, but a cold heart. Let’s dive in.

Marche Funèbre – After The Storm

I don’t know when or how it happened, but the universe has conspired to make 90s Death/Doom cool again. More and more bands are rehashing this clearly underrated style, and I welcome it with open arms. Bring back the era of alienated pain! Marche Funèbre isn’t new to the sorrow game. The band has been delivering for more than a decade, always offering what angsty Metalheads need, which is why I approached After the Storm with uncalled optimism. So, let’s see how this is going to hurt me!

Glacial Tomb – Lightless Expanse

Alright, we’re picking up where last week’s madness left off. What can I say? If you look at Glacial Tomb’s album art, you’ll think, “Oh wow! This album has to slap”. It even has the perfect name: Lightless Expanse. If an album has an abstract or almost senseless title, you know it’s going to try to kill you. I’m sure some of you are coming in with your opinions already set. So instead of being an obnoxious contrarian just for clicks, I’ll try to add something meaningful to the discussion. Anyway, you’re here to find out if Glacial Tomb kicks butt or not. Let’s go!

ASCIAN – Sing To Me, Sweet Void

Enough happy times and enjoyable music. It’s time for us to sink into the deepest despair and cry a river of tears. I hope this gloomy intro got your attention because thanks to ASCIAN (don’t confuse it with Asian, you monster!), we’re only going down from here—into more weeping and unfathomable sadness, of course. Right, we’re also here to try to grasp the quality of Sing to Me, Sweet Void (uplifting title, right?). Prepare those tissues, because you might need them by the time we’re done.

Servant – Death Devil Magic

Sometimes, release days are so packed that we have to keep talking about them long after they’ve passed. Sometimes, they leave us with things we can’t dare to miss. I picked up Servant‘s Death Devil Magic with the hope that this would be one of those cases—where I almost missed a cool release. I mean, just look at that art! It practically screams diabolical riffs that will melt faces, right? It can’t just be me trying to justify my laziness here. Well, I hope not. But let’s cut the self-pity and get down to business.

Winterfylleth – The Imperious Horizon

Stargazer Scholar (follow the scholar here!)

A band doesn’t need to invent a new genre to have an identity. Originality may earn you a paragraph or two in a history book, but at the end of the day, it’s the songwriting that sells records and boosts streaming stats. It’s that special, subtle something that makes you stand out from the crowd and be distinct. Case in point: Winterfylleth, who over the years have managed to carve out a niche within the overcrowded subspace of Melodic and Atmospheric Black Metal. Without being too groundbreaking or experimental, the Mancunians excel at conveying complex emotions with memorable tunes, and their mixture of bludgeoning pagan valor and moving melodicism has become a trademark. But did the band succeed in maintaining its standards with The Imperious Horizon?