canada – Metal Eclipse Reviews

Protest The Hero -Within

Metalcatto

It’s not that I’m a Protest The Hero expert, but I’ve been a fan since Kezia. That means I’m OG, and my opinion matters more than some noob’s, right? Anyway, I don’t think the band has an album below a 4.0 out of 5.0. Its blend of Prog, Mathcore, and Metalcore has made this project one of the most unique out there. Not to mention the almost optimistic feeling in each one of its releases, no matter how dark the subject actually is. So how do you top such an impeccable career? Let’s find out with Within.

Coprolith – Putrescence

Thechopstickdrummer

Coprolith is the scientific name for fossilized feces. Lovely. Their newest record’s album cover depicts a horrid amalgamation of humans where one man’s snot is another’s cerebral vein. Lovely. Everything about this Canadian band is just lovely. If my sarcastic tone isn’t potent enough for you, I’ll just scrap it entirely: Death Metal isn’t supposed to be lovely, and I expect nothing but gore-drenched horror from Coprolith and their debut album Putrescence. If the package this gore’s delivered in is nicely handled, I’m leaving a five-star rating for the delivery men. If there’s even one tiny dent, they can hear my critical wrath. That was also sarcasm.

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?

W.M.D. – Against All Warnings

Metalcatto

Time for our Thrash album of the month. W.M.D. is Canadian Thrash. That means they’re coming for our heads, but they’ll ask politely first, which would be a nice change for once. It’s hard to have anything new to offer in one of the most ancient subgenres of the Metalsphere, but Against All Warnings is going to try to convince us. Let’s see if it manages to take our money and run.

Archspire – Too Fast Too Die

Metalcatto

Full disclosure: I’m a huge Archspire fan, but Too Fast Too Die didn’t catch me right away. That’s why I’m late to this review. Let’s face it, the band could easily fight for the title of fastest Metal band in the world. Heaviness is a more subjective scale, but when it comes to pure speed, it’s hard to make it crazier without triggering then precedence effect. Hence, with a strange level of excitement and wariness, I dive into this meth trip of an album.

Ravenspell – Obsidian King

Metalcatto

I usually do everything in my power to dodge traditional Heavy Metal. It just feels like everything has been said and done a thousand times over. However, Ravenspell‘s Obsidian King claims there’s something more to say in the wacky, bloated history of the style. As you can tell, my hopes are buried somewhere below realistic, but the job is the job, right? It’s time to go on.

Mors Verum – Canvas

Metalcatto

You know I have a soft spot for anything that mixes Prog and Death in the same sentence. What can I say? I like my bands to starve. So when Mors Verum came to me like a fart in the wind, I knew I had to smell it properly. Enough disgusting and childish jokes, though; what we really want to know is whether Canvas is worth your money, or at least your almost non-existent attention. Let’s get this horror started.

Sakna – De Syv Dødssynder

Metalcatto

I know that when you hear the words one-man Black Metal band, your heart fills with dread—especially if it leans toward the atmospheric side. However, today we’re doing something different. Sakna is a project that existed in hard drives for decades, but after the tragic passing of its creator, his brother S. took on the task of restoring Solemn’s legacy. Hence, this review is written with more respect than usual, because what could be more Black Metal than an artist speaking to us from the grave? De Syv Dødssynder is here!

Tales of Destiny – Ashes of Destiny

Elyna Kahn

It’s a pleasure to discover the depth of some Power Metal bands, whose musical fabric is composed of several layers, textures, nuances, and endearing sonorities. Tales of Destiny is a great example of a band that makes power metal not only a familiar experience, but a significantly deep and emotional one. Born in a small town in Quebec, the band emerged when five young teenagers came together to bring a musical dream to life. Feeling the call of metal and inspired by legends such as Iron Maiden, Iced Earth, and Children of Bodom, they managed to find their own sound, full of fury, passion, and conviction.

Ültra Raptör – Fossilized

Metalcatto

Fun isn’t usually my thing. In fact, this review is only happening because Metalkitten (my three-year-old) saw dinosaurs and lasers in Ültra Raptör‘s promo and said, “that one has dinos in, so it’s cool.” With such crushing logic used against me, I had no option but to comply and give this Speed/Heavy Metal ride a chance to prove that it could be more than silly entertainment for the late afternoon. You see? I might be old now, but I still listen to the youth here and there.