KVAEN – The Formless Fire

KVAEN has been the underground’s darling for a while now. Needless to say, yours truly is a fan of the previous two albums, where KVAEN showcases speed, durability, heaviness, and exceptional songwriting that combines the best of old and new Black Metal. I think I speak for many when I say the expectations for The Formless Fire are huge, and the mightiest band from Kalix (the North of the North) has a monumental task ahead of it. However, this has been a good year for unrealistic expectations, so let’s keep it going, ok?

True kvlt – The Giant Baba, Eisige Venen, JAELYN, June 1974, Ghost Frog and Crystal Sun

In today’s edition of True kvlt, we’re featuring an insane variety of bands and styles. You might think I’m trying to spam you mercilessly, and you’re sort of right. However, they’re all singles! So, if you put them all together, it’ll take the same amount of time that you would otherwise waste watching cat videos instead of doing something productive with your life, like exploring the deep underground. You know It’s time!

Retro-Review: Carcass – Heartwork

Welcome to Retro-Reviews, a space where I indulge in my own nostalgic reveries, reminiscing about a time that never truly existed, but one that I’ve crafted through various random albums that hold significance for me. Whether good or bad, one thing is certain: remembering can be a bittersweet journey.

True kvlt – Black Phantom, Pagan Rites and Unveil The Omen

It’s that time of the week again when we go through our followers’ submissions in hopes of finding the next big thing. Today, we have two albums and one single. A strange mix, you might say, but may I remind you that at MER, we do whatever we want since you haven’t opened thy wallet yet. Remember, beggars can’t be choosers.

Helps us start an illegal militia here

Construct of Lethe – A Kindness Dealt in Venom

I first want to start by warning that this review requires serious consideration. Suicide is no joke, and if you joke or bully people about it, we’ll find you. Hence, I’ve been delaying my take on Construct of Lethe‘s A Kindness Dealt in Venom. First, my underpaid interns have been struggling with your requests, and second, I didn’t want to review something that approaches such a serious matter in an exploitative way (not the case here, fortunately). But let’s focus on the music, shall we?

Double EP: Legionary & Sons of Gulliver

When you spend a lot of time reviewing albums, it’s easy to overlook the more modest releases that can still offer quality despite arriving with less fanfare. That’s why I’ve combined two completely different projects in one article, to provide some good or bad publicity to these EPs that reached us without much pretense (see kids? A bit of humility can take you far in life). So, let the mayhem begin!

Ulcerate – Cutting the Throat of God

I’ve been delaying this more than you delay your work emails, but the time has come. If there’s one band that can consistently compete for album of the year awards on any platform, it’s Ulcerate. They’ve done it with every single album since Everything is Fire and kept it going until Stare Into Death and Be Still. Ulcerate never holds back and can only compete with itself. So, you’d be right to think that my expectations for Cutting the Throat of God are so out of proportion that I should call my therapist soon, but before I get sent back to rehab, just read this.

Hyperdontia – Harvest of Malevolence

As you know, Northern Europe is legendary for its Metal production. Each country has its niche. Norway excels in old-school Black and Avant-Garde, Sweden in Death and Black, Iceland in Black and Post, and Finland is pretty much good at everything. Did I miss anyone? Ah, right, there’s Denmark, known for…Mercyful Fate? A few underground bands? (I love you, Saturnus!) Awkward, but there’s one band in the last decade that has come to restore Danish honor: Hyperdontia. Today, we’re talking about Harvest of Malevolence. Er du klar? Ready?

The Omega Swarm – Crimson Demise

Sometimes, I check my spam emails because the universe always dumps the most important releases there. The Omega Swarm looked like any other promo at first. Sure, it had cool cover art, but there wasn’t much more to say right away. However, when I read that this band is closely linked to probably the most interesting Lovecraft-inspired band ever, Sulphur Aeon (don’t worry, I know about The Great Old Ones; they’re also at the top), I decided to avoid the summer sunlight again and just lose myself in Crimson Demise. So, is it an abyss of despair or just as meh as Lovecraft’s writing style? Let’s find out!