canada – Page 3 – Metal Eclipse Reviews

Mitochondrion – Vitreseptome

SonikGoat

Until now, Mitochondrion has not released a new full-length album in 11 years. Eleven years in which the commodification of some of popular music’s most challenging and demanding material has continued unabated. Indeed, in 2024, it’s possible to say that in the rarefied world of extreme Metal, styles such as Disso-Death have even become somewhat “fashionable”—by the niche standards of the underground, of course. Bands pushing further into abyssal realms seem to erupt into our cosmos on a weekly basis these days, so it takes a special group to take such a long hiatus and still return with a palpable buzz of expectancy. Not only has Mitochondrion achieved that, but has also surpassed its previous full-length, the mighty Parasignosis, delivering yet another top-tier album for 2024.

Hell is Other People – Moirae

Let’s face it: Post/Black Metal has won the extreme music war. It doesn’t matter where I go; there are at least 20 Post/Black bands making everything around them a valley of tears and sorrow. That brings me to today’s guest, Hell is Other People. With a name clearly inspired by Huis Clos, I couldn’t let it pass! I love my Black Metal existentialist, and that’s what Moirae seemed to promise. Rarely have I been this interested in finding no way out of a painful situation, but that’s what extreme music does to the soul! Anyway, it’s judgment time!

Spectral Wound – Songs of Blood and Mire

There are few albums that have been relentlessly hyped on social media like Spectral Wound‘s Songs of Blood and Mire. Sure, I’ve liked what this band has released before, but the implicit pressure to check out this one has been a remarkable feat of marketing by whoever handles its promotions. Either way, you’re probably here after reading countless reviews that beat me to the punch, all of which have hyped you to death. Now you’re just wondering: Am I going to crush your expectations or make you even more ravenous for the release date? Watch and learn.

Evilyn -Mondestrunken

I’ll give something to Evilyn—it has a cool band name. One that won’t make you suspect the ridiculous beatdown it can deliver. And what if I told you this is a “debut”? Could you believe a new band would compete in a year plagued with great Tech Death releases? Except Mondestrunken wasn’t written by amateurs. It features former members from Defeated Sanity, Psycroptic, and many others, which actually gives Evilyn the feeling of being a discreet superband. Cute, but Tech Death lives and dies by how exciting it is. Can this album stand out? We’ll see!

Anciients -Beyond the Reach of The Sun

Aeons ago, I had the luck of discovering Voices of the Void, and it spoke to me! How could a band summon the spirit of Mastodon and Opeth simultaneously? Anciients was a Prog Metal fan’s fantasy come true. However, I felt perfection still eluded the project. This is why Beyond the Reach of the Sun has created high expectations in me this time. I feel this band is so close to being the next big thing in Prog, and even if it falls short, whatever it delivers will be amazing and full of tasty riffs, right? I want to believe! Join me on this journey of illusions that could end in heartbreak and unfathomable drinking.

Liminal Shroud – Visions of Collapse

I’d like to tell you one of my romantic stories about how I ran into Liminal Shroud, but that’d be lying more than usual. I was looking for discounts on Bandcamp and saw that Through the False Narrows was cheap, so I bought it after listening to one track. It was solid Black Metal with Prog touches. The same could be said about All Virtues Ablaze. Hence, Visions of Collapse has a difficult task ahead: overcoming solid albums that, without much drama, have solidified the band’s reputation as a respectable act. Hopefully, this won’t ruin it. Let’s go!

Premier: Through Mists – My Muse & Branches

Alright, my beloved basement dwellers! Today, we have the humbling honor of hosting our first track premiere. It’s not something we’ll do often, but you should try everything at least once (except fentanyl!). So, here we have it!

Help us grow our population to surpass that of San Marino.

Sumac – The Healer

I’ve been dreading this moment for long; it’s almost given me nightmares. No other band in Metal can evoke the feeling of being trapped in your anxious prison like Sumac does. Ever since, I discovered it with What One Becomes, next to everything Sumac touched has been perfection to my ears. However, since May You Be Held, I’ve started to get worried about the direction of the band. It’s almost become a Noise/Jazz band with Metal textures that explores dark mental corners like nobody does; conceptually fascinating, but challenging to sit through. Hence, The Healer has the tough task to add something new to one of the riskiest projects in Post-Metal, without alienating us, the peasantry. Will it succeed?

SIG:AR:TYR – Citadel of Stars

What is it with Canada lately? I keep getting interesting promos from that place. We all know it’s nothing new that the land of maple syrup has phenomenal Metal, but lately, I’ve noticed a substantial diversification. You just have to check this or this to get what I mean. Now SIG:AR:TYR is back with Citadel of Stars, and I must admit I’m kind of excited. I’ve been a fan since Northern came out and always wondered why the act never released anything new. Did it die? Or worse, did it find happiness? No and no! So, we have a new album to examine!

Adversarial – Solitude with the Eternal

Have you wondered what it would feel like to let go? To give in to your darkest side and do something vile and unhinged? Something like waking up at three in the morning only to finish off that cold pizza that’s been in your fridge for a week. Well, Adversarial is returning from its long slumber with Solitude with The Eternal and is planning to put you through something just as appalling. Don’t believe it? Stay put!