Reviews – Page 9 – Metal Eclipse Reviews

Tsar Stangra -Химните на разрушените светове (Hymns of the Broken Worlds)

Metalcatto

It’s been a while since I last gave a chance to a little band. Tsar Stangra is basically that – I don’t mean it in a disrespectful way. The whole point of this blog is helping bands reach new people. Hymns of the Broken Worlds pretty enigmatic. Is it folk, or death metal? Or both? Also, I could be wrong, but this might be the first or second band with Bulgarian heritage we’ve reviewed. Hence, I know nothing about Bulgarian metal. Still, there should be fair judgement today. Don’t despair!

Voivod – Symphonique

Metalcatto

I have a confession to make: I’ve never been the biggest Voivod fan. A mystery indeed, because the band has everything I should like—Thrash, Prog, space themes, and just pure, unhinged madness. But who knows? It just doesn’t click with me. Symphonique is pretty much a greatest hits album, but with an orchestra in the background, which might be what I’ve always needed to enjoy these guys’ work as much as I should. Anyway, does this work, or is it going to be full of clichés?

Elder – Through Zero

Metalcatto

Elder is one of the best acts out there. Doubts are next to none. Ever since Reflections of a Floating World, the band has released Album of the Year contender after another. So my real question was: will Through Zero reach those heights, or sink into absolute misery and disappointment? For once, my expectations landed somewhere in the middle of the scale. Ready to be happy or bored, but not furious. Snob note: how do you go through zero? It’s literally the absence of anything. But maybe these guys are in the “zero is a number” camp. Let’s see.

The Feedback Forge: HKSPK

Metalcatto

This is the section where we give brutal feedback to the underground bands and patrons that somehow still care about our opinions. Incredible, don’t you think?

Vortex Sutra – Noumenon

Metalcatto

I can count on one hand the times an instrumental album has received a full review at MER Industries. It’s nothing personal. We just don’t get too many submissions of this kind, and even fewer from a promoter or label. The truth is, you customers love music where someone just shouts at you constantly. However, Vortex Sutra is a Prog Rock band that is pretty different from what we usually cover. Its album Noumenon surprised me and in a way challenged my reviewer’s habits. That’s good, right? Let’s find out.

Coffin Hunters – Cosmic Dawn

Metalcatto

We don’t cover nearly enough Prog/retro-Rock here. That’s almost an intentional decision, because historically, I feel retro-Rock has become the equivalent of Oscar-bait but for Metal reviewers—albums that are enjoyable but have no effect on the genre’s zeitgeist, yet still receive mountains of praise. Anyway, Coffin Hunters hopefully delivers something that’s interesting, nostalgic, and also creative. Cosmic Dawn‘s artwork tells you exactly what this is about, so let’s get into it right away.

Nargaroth – Apocalyptic Steel

Metalcatto

I’m no Nargaroth expert, but I can recognize an OG Black Metal band when I hear one. That said, my expectations for this kind of sound are modest at best. Apocalyptic Steel couldn’t have a more traditional name. So obviously this thing is going to be edgy, consistent, and noisy, right? My only hope is that the production sustains some level of decency, but maybe that’s asking too much in this case. Let’s find out.

Verdun- Abyssal Womb

Metalcatto

A band with a name referencing a place where millions of lives were pointlessly lost? It can’t be a relaxing one, right? Well, Verdun is exactly that: Sludge and Death Metal that creeps into you like some chronic pain you can’t shake. Even the album’s title, Abyssal Womb, prepares you for something that has to be nothing but dreadful. Because the label is Transcending Obscurity, I was expecting something incredibly technical or brutally fast, but that wasn’t exactly the case. Or well, it depends on how you see it. Let’s go.

Sallow Moth – Hydrophilous Brood

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.

Malebeste – Monestherou

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.