Suffering so you don't have to!
Metalcatto
A name like Hating Life can’t inspire too many hugs. The real question is whether Revenge From Beyond is going to make me miserable the right way or the boring way. There’s little room for exploration in Death Metal, especially if you want to cook it the traditional way, which is why I approached this album with some legitimate stomach discomfort. I’m fed up with the same stuff over and over. But let’s hope again.
Metalcatto
Hrob isn’t for people who want to have a good time. What do I mean by that? Well, if you listen to thirty seconds of Brána Chladu, you’ll understand right away that the band is trying to inflict as much emotional damage as possible. Just like your parents. Anyway, I wasn’t ready for this sorrowful ride, but that doesn’t mean I was going to chicken out.
Metalcatto
We have a special one today. Hessian Firm sent us the physical album again, and though I’m later than a German train, Desolation Manifest by Execrari offers cosmic and Brogressive Black Metal. No, you actually read that right. This almost never happens, so I’m allowed to have some expectations for once. I just really hope by Prog the band doesn’t mean: “I play 20 minutes of the same riff.” Fingers crossed!
Metalcatto
Messticator has a curious name. It reminds me of how you say “chewing” in Spanish, or something fancy in Italian. Anyway, that’s kind of the feeling Total Mastery is aiming to portray—as if we’re getting run through a digestive system and then disposed of without further thought. Hence, you can expect this to be heavy, brutal, and whatever other generic hyperbolic word you think of. Just add it here. Let’s start.
Metalcatto
I think I’m right on time for the Phasma party. It’s probably going to be the opposite of chilled, but we’re not here to enjoy relaxing stuff, unless your definition of relaxing is getting thrown in a barrel down a waterfall. Purgatory isn’t for the noobs. It’s not even for the experienced, but that doesn’t mean it’s good right away. That’s why I’m here to give a smug opinion about it. Preferably read it while you listen to the thing at the same time.
Metalcatto
With a band name that would make you think of Stoner Rock or your last visit to the dentist, Lord of Confusion sounds nothing like either. Their album The Weight of Life is in principle an eclectic work trying to live in that space between Doom and Post-Metal, which means things are going to move slowly, but toward the most comforting kind of anxiety one could have. That made no sense, so let’s get to it.
Metalcatto
There are many bands named Worm, Wormed, or something like that. I can’t keep track. They also don’t tend to have artwork that looks straight out of 1995. To make matters more difficult Foreverglade is a hard act to follow. Hence, I was ready to skip Worm. However, you people online, with your unqualified hype, convinced me to give this album a chance even if I’m late. So here I am, trying to see if your taste changes my mind.
Metalcatto
I was planning to review some Thrash to bring balance to the force, but no, I didn’t feel like it. Transilvania‘s new Black/Thrash album, Magia Posthuma, will have to do then. It has everything needed to deliver that killer combo many bands attempt but few pull off with real success. It’s hard to balance aggression with nasty production without sacrificing writing quality, but let’s get to it and hope for some headbanging.
Metalcatto
Necrogore arrives on our doorstep bearing one undeniably edgy album title: Ectoplasmic Rape Phenomena. If you happen to be a committed materialist like me (and yes, this is my genuine epistemological position), then this name reads as utterly ridiculous, hilarious nonsense. If you’re a normal, well-adjusted adult, your eyes probably rolled hard into the back of your skull at first glance. But I’m here to answer a more important question: does the album deliver something as heinously depraved and unhinged as its title promises? Let’s keep our fingers crossed and find out.
Metal Eclipse Reviews 