Metalcatto
Yes, I’m early, because you people send me too much stuff.
Trve Kvlt #32
Cutterred Flesh – The Shapes of Hidden Malice
Metalcatto
Cutterred Flesh has a sort of special place at MER, because it might have been like the third review I wrote. Hence, I’m happy that the band and us are still here to talk smack about each other. If you know anything about these guys, you’ll know your ears are about to get smashed into pieces. The real question is if The Shapes of Hidden Malice is going to be more of the same, or if we’re going to get some sort of change. Historically, brutal bands tend to stay the same, but one can be wrong, right?
Black Door – Shadows of a Funerary Gleam
Metalcatto
I don’t meet too many Black Metal bands with a name like Black Door, because that sounds more like a grandpa Rock band than evil Norwegian shrieking. But Shadows of a Funerary Gleam goes more like bathing in a ton of goat blood. That’s more like it, right? So, can these guys impress us in any way? I’ve never heard of them, so it’s not going to be easy. And lately, I don’t feel like giving high scores unless the band really earns it. Yes, I’ve turned cynical. It’s part of the business. Deal with it.
Kamelot – Dark Asylum
Metalcatto
I’ve known of Kamelot since The Black Halo. The band is one of the few Power Metal acts that has a 5/5 in my book. A career full of twists and turns, but overall filled with consistency and—I can’t believe I’m saying this—quality. If there’s a cheesy band I trust can pull off a good performance, it’s this one. So, Dark Asylum has got some level of expectations, I guess. Yes, it’s geeky music, so I’m apprehensive again.
Wyrdstæf – Primordial Bloodlines
Metalcatto
In my short career as a reviewer, I’ve heard all sorts of weird, excessive, and even funny names for subgenres. However, “Paleolithic Black Metal” is a new one for me. Wyrdstæf is trying to travel in time to return to the times before agriculture. Primordial Bloodlines takes itself rather seriously, and though I’m not a historian, I’m skeptical of all these gimmicks that try to portray old times in some romanticized way. So, bear with me, I’m going to be a total snob here, or not. I slept bad!
Trve Kvlt #31
Unholy Redeemer – Journey Beyond Death
Metalcatto
As some of you know, I’m taking care of my second newborn, which means I can only listen to so many albums before it becomes irresponsible. Unholy Redeemer comes from Dark Descent, so you know what Journey Beyond Death is going to be like: old school and short. That last part is exactly what I need right now. Everything expresses quality and consistency, but will that be the case in practice? Let’s see.
Invocation Ritual – Altered Reality
Metalcatto
We should return to what you always want: the most inhumane music ever, so you can brag to other Metalheads in the most toxic way possible. Invocation Ritual is just that—the kind of band that destroys your hearing in no time. Altered Reality is supposed to transport us to a horrible planet where our faces will get melted down, or so we hope.
Temic – Ceiba
Metalcatto
It’s been almost a fact that traditional Prog—you know, without ultra-brutal vocals or infinite blastbeats—is kind of dead. The world has just turned into a more cynical and godless place. However, there are still acts that have ignored the calling of oblivion. Temic seems to be one of those. Ceiba is supposed to remind us why it’s still possible to be corny and complex at the same time. Let’s see.
Stoned Jesus – Songs to Moon
Metalcatto
It always makes me happy when a band is back. As in, MER lived long enough to review it again. So I’m happy to live to see another Stoned Jesus album—not because I’m a diehard fan, but because the name amuses me every time I see it. My real question for Songs to Moon is: would it bring change, or is it going to be consistent? And if it’s the second one, would it be any fun?
Metal Eclipse Reviews 