Suffering so you don't have to!
Metalcatto
If you’re into Post/Black, you should be familiar with Your Ultimate Urban Nightmare. If you’re not, well, here I am helping you. Ever since then, Bonjour Tristesse has done the same as the novel with the same name—puzzle me. Many times, not in the best way. Having said that, I do expect Disaster Triumphant to be more than decent. Even if it’s different to the point where I feel alienated.
Metalcatto
The Ocean has a problem. It has produced perfect albums like Precambrian and Pelagial, and one of my biggest disappointments: Holocene. Hence, my hopes for Solaris were low. The band has done it all now, right? What could possibly be missing? Right—going to space. Time to leave the Dinosaur Metal behind, sadly, and go into the beyond.
Metalcatto
I know that yesterday I said I didn’t want to review more old school Death Metal, but what can one do with limited time and so many promos? We don’t know where to start. I had no idea what Revel in Flesh had to offer, or if Flesh For The Kult Of Death would break the mold that so many bands have shaped before. But what I know is that this review needs to be out fast. So here we are, diving into another cavernous release that promises to either crush or comfort.
Metalcatto
I’m not a Servant expert. I know the band has gathered some attention in the underground. The Melodic Black Metal movement is a big deal now—Dissection has been vindicated. However, Lux Ex Inferis cover art made me skeptical. Like, why does it look so CGI? I’ve seen AI art more convincing. Anyway, I was still expecting the music to impress me, but most of all, to feel real.
Thechopstickdrummer
The promotional sheet for this record was written in charming broken English, so to honor its attitude, my introduction will follow suit: SPACE CHASER is super radical Thrash metal band from great country Germany serving up a science fiction-themed album full of surprise! Their upcoming record, Razorblade Bay, is thirty minute of high-speeds thrashing from the four-piece band, forming in 2011 and has releasing three previous albums. Long-winded appreciation aside, it’s time SPACE CHASER presents another Teutonic-esque platter of speedy Thrash. The preservation of Sodom, Kreator, and other Germanic titans’ aesthetics is an act I greatly appreciate–Kreator itself succumbed to the symmetrical illness plaguing modern-day covers (Krushers of the World, 2026). This styling begs a question: can they maintain a modern feel on a new label while still paying respect to their founders?
Metalcatto
If you’re new in town—as our blog stats show—then you might think we never cover any virgin… I mean, any unicorn music here. It’s been a while, but why not review Xandria‘s Eclipse to break our dark spell and start looking into some Power/Goth Metal this year that actually doesn’t make me embarrassed of being a Metalhead? Or maybe I’m wrong, and this is more of the same happy depressing music. Let’s see.
Metalcatto
It’s been a while since we reviewed something remarkably sad. Like, more depressing than a puppy getting put down. Anyway, Nail by Nail has a strange approach. It’s this old school Black Metal mixed with crushing Melodic Death Metal. That sounds exciting, right? Especially if you’re a crazy masochist like all of us. Yet I can’t help but worry about this thing being too safe. It’s a familiar formula, and familiarity can be a double-edged sword—comforting, yes, but also predictable.
Metalcatto
It’s been a while since we’ve had something more Thrash Metal. You know, an album mostly focused on speed that feels like a knife fight. Temple of Dread is bringing us somewhere well-balanced Death and Thrash that should make you feel like the tectonic wave is back and well—not just Kreator. Anyway, Deadspawn Dominion has a cool name, but is it cool Metal? Stay put, and maybe you’ll find out.
Metalcatto
You know what I miss, people? Some direct Post-Black Metal. It’s been scarce this year. We’ve had a lot of blasting tremolo-picking, but what if I want the blasting to come with more suffering? Well, that’s what Belialed is trying to achieve with The Echoless Chasm. German Post-Black rarely disappoints. Everything here promises to be cathartic and devastating. Honestly, I can’t wait. So let’s jump into the misery blender.
Metalcatto
Can you believe that this is Asenheim‘s tenth album? I honestly can’t. Why haven’t we heard more about these musicians before now? Is it their marketing team’s fault? Is it our fault? I don’t know, but it’s time to try to fix that by reviewing Elbenblut. Besides, it’s been a while since we reviewed some Black/Folk—yesterday, technically—and you people can’t seem to get enough of this stuff. Let’s face it, you’re all a little geeky deep down. Shall we begin?
Metal Eclipse Reviews 