Metal Eclipse Reviews

Pegah’s top artworks

Pegah

Art has always been a profound means of expressing introspective feelings, and artists describe their emotions through their chosen forms. Among these, music stands out for its unique bond with visual arts. A well-crafted music project not only focuses on sound but also represents its music through cover art that complements its essence. Therefore, the album cover becomes the visual representation of the album’s themes and emotions. In this exploration, we’ll dive into some of my favorite cover arts from 2024 Metal album and their subgenres, showcasing the synergy between music and visuals.

Monte Penumbra – Austere Dawning

Did you think we were done with new releases? That we were just going to remember the highs and lows of this year? Well, let me surprise you with some Black Metal from the cave. I’m talking about Monte Penumbra’s Austere Dawning, an album that, while it feels Icelandic in many ways, continues to establish tiny (but mighty) Portugal as one of the powerhouses in this niche sub-genre. We’ve had an exhausting week when it comes to tremolo picking, so how can this release top that? Let’s find out.

Lost in the Riffstorm 2024: part 3

Part three of the endless search for albums we missed. This is a bit of a mixed bag. We have huge omissions, but also some underground darlings that we couldn’t let pass—regardless of our excuses (usually staff shortages). I’m thinking about opening a review factory in some country with no workers’ rights, of course! So watch out, USA—here we come! But I digress. Let’s continue our dive into some albums worth remembering.

Lost in the Riffstorm 2024: Part 2

Let’s keep reviewing our greatest omissions of the year. Some of these are older than MER Industries itself, so you can’t blame us too much for missing them. However, I suspect that they’re are going to end up on a few end-of-the-year lists, so it would be criminal to let them slip by without glory—even if this moment of honor feels insignificant. Alright, so here’s part two of our redemption rounds. If your favorite album is missing, relax—there will be more parts.

Lost in the Riffstorm 2024: Part 1

It’s time for some small redemption. There are a few heavy hitters we missed when they were just released. Whether it was because we didn’t get the promo or simply didn’t find the time amidst the avalanche of Metal we receive every second (yes, per second!), these albums deserve recognition—especially if they don’t make it to any of our end-of-the-year lists. Consider this an apology for past and future mistakes. Convenient, right? Anyway, some of these albums you’ve probably listened to death, while others might not have even appeared on your radar. Let’s get to it!

Harkane – Argo

As we approach the end of the year, it’s almost time to annihilate whatever remains in the filter, so we can start the new year full of promises and dreams completely out of touch with reality. However, before I do that, there’s still some time to explore what the underground has left to offer this year. In this case, we return to this blog’s guilty pleasure: Death/Doom. Harkane‘s Argo claims to be inspired by The Argonautica, the most boring-interesting Greek epic I’ve ever read. Let’s hope it delivers more action!

True kvlt: 11Redearth,The Obsidian Resurrection, Arkuum & NihilstVoid

Pegah & Metalcatto

It’s that time of the week when we raid the fridge for whatever leftovers we can find—because who wants to cook a lot on a Sunday? You do? Well, respect, I’ll give you that. But this time is different. I’m not alone in this section—Pegah has decided to join in and bring another band to your tearful eyes. So, here we have this week’s lucky picks:

The Unsung and Unstoppable: 2024’s Metal Revelations

It’s time to talk about those bands and albums that ended up in my inbox, coming from the depths of the internet. These are bands that, with talent, sweat, and humility, have worked hard to surprise listeners this year. I truly hope they keep growing to gather the cult following they deserve. Some of these bands are just debuting or don’t even have a promoter—an injustice that needs to change as soon as possible. So here they are, in no specific order because they all deserve your attention: the revelations of the year.

Pillar of Light – Caldera

Pegah

“Man is wolf to man. Who in the face of all his experience of life and of history, will have the courage to dispute this assertion?“

– Sigmund Freud

Pillar of Light’s debut album, Caldera, weaves a rich tapestry of themes through its Post-Metal and Sludge Doom Metal lens. The album’s title and cover imagery suggest a potent exploration of destruction and renewal, evoking transformation both in the world and within the human spirit. The interplay between light and darkness—embodied by the stark, illuminated gate set against a shadowy background—serves as a metaphor for hope versus despair, life versus death, and the dualities that shape our existence.

Kir – L’appel du Vide

Polish Black Metal has already established itself as its own school of thought in our small community. It’s hard to define it precisely. However, the sound of human decadence is the first thing that comes to mind. Kir is trying to portray that, but from an urban perspective in L’appel du Vide. You’d think that with such a title, this would be a mellow Post-Rock album, but no—this is as dirty as it gets. Still, it would be good to know more about the quality of the work itself, right? Stick around, kid.