Gothic Metal – Metal Eclipse Reviews

Lord Of The Lost – Opvs Noir Vol. 2

Vicky

There are times when I’m starting to feel as if I were a dad wearing an AC/DC T-shirt and wondering why the kids nowadays are big fans of Sleep Token. It’s stupid, I know, but Lord Of The Lost (LOTL, not LOTR, that is) brought that feeling back. Second listen in, and I’m still pretty unsure as to why this band is so popular. Basically, we are dealing with a band that somehow managed to pick up the strangest elements from Mono Inc., Lacrimosa, Deine Lakaien, and Depeche Mode. Blending those with some Electronic-infused Dark/Goth Rock, you get LOTL.

Lost in the Riffstorm 2025: Part 2

Metalcatto

We keep trying to catch up in the little time we have left. This time, I bring more hostile stuff, because I believe this wasn’t the strongest year in terms of pointless brutality (sad!), but that doesn’t mean we weren’t going to find some gems laying around. Which is why we’re going to talk about some good old aggressive Metal now and more!

Releases That Almost Fell Through the Cracks Nattfly, Crippling Alcoholism& Wolventhrone

Metalcatto

Every now and then, mistakes are made… by the interns, of course — never by me! Isn’t that their job? To take the hit for the brand? Anyway, there have been a few EPs and albums I simply didn’t have time to cover properly, or by the time I got to them, it was already too late. So here’s my attempt at redemption!

True kvlt: NikoV, David, Felipe, IDŌL & Punisher

Vicky & Metalcatto

Hi there! A bit less madness this week, but still enough to make the normal mind insane. Let’s go!

Lord of the Lost – OPVS NOIR Vol 1.

Metalcatto

Well, here we go again. We’ve actually got another band that was in Eurovision. Lord of the Lost is a kind of Gothic Metal act that caters to the edgy kids who never quite moved past harsh vocals in their Metal journey. So, you might be wondering—am I just covering Opus Noir Vol. 1 to vent my deeply rooted intolerance for the mainstream world? Maybe. But that doesn’t mean I won’t try to be fair.

Guitar solos to break you and heal you part 3

Vicky

You’ve probably been waiting for my take on guitar solos, so here it is — but first, a quick intro. My musical taste spans from Pop Rock and Indie to Brutal Death and Black Metal, and my picks reflect that range, though I’ve kept the Black Metal to a minimum (I know not everyone’s a Burzum or Darkthrone fan). I could ramble endlessly about what makes a great solo—or why “Nymphetamine Overdose” by Cradle of Filth and Liv Kristine is, in my view, a more refined take on Symphonic Gothic/Black Metal than “Nymphetamine Fix”—but I’ll spare you the tangents and get straight to the list.

Cradle of Filth – The Screaming of the Valkyries

Cradle of Filth is a band that you probably already love or hate—there’s no in-between. Say what you want, but these romantic vampires don’t leave anyone indifferent. Yet, for me, the craziest thing about the band is how it went from being more washed-up than Ali in the ’80s to having a second prime in its later years. I can’t think of any other band that has pulled off such a comeback in the last decade. So, ironically, I did have high expectations for The Screaming of the Valkyries.

True kvlt: Hel Hath Fury, Cult Of Alcaeus and Necro Algorithm & Schatten Muse

Alright! After a short break, we’re back with our sewer-diving sport, where we check out what the small projects send us. Keep reading, because you never know when you’ll find the next big band here—just remember to tell everyone you discovered it via MER Industries. The rest are unnecessary details, right? Anyway, let’s get this list started and hope we survive the production choices!

Tribulation – Sub Rosa in Æternum

Well, this is going to be tricky. You see, I’m what people would call an old-fashioned Tribulation fan. Here I am, eating chips and scratching my head, while the band has morphed from a Black Metal outfit into a Goth Rock one. Evidently, I’m a bigger fan of its first era, but I’m open to giving Sub Rosa in Æternum a chance. Goth albums typically fall into two categories: they either evoke the horrors of the night, or end up as cringeworthy festivals of edgy people in leather. Let’s see which one this album turns out to be.

Schammasch – The Maldoror Chants: Old Ocean

This has been an intense release week, with both veteran and emerging bands hitting us with nearly unchecked energy. But my attention was elsewhere. Schammasch presents an intriguing proposition, to say the least. With an unusual blend of Prog, Death, Gothic, and a hint of refined snobbery, The Maldoror Chants: Old Ocean promises the kind of elevated experience I’ve been craving all week—or it might just crash into a spectacular dumpster fire. Fingers crossed!