Suffering so you don't have to!
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!
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.
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!
Sunday is here! Which means it’s time for another 400-500 words to make the Metal world a bit fairer. We’re shining a light on releases that you’ve personally sent us or that deserve some love in this cold, heartless world. This week won’t be as rancid and tvre as usual, since we’re focusing on bands building their hype, but who don’t necessarily sound like they’re gargling hot sauce in a tunnel. For once, we’re expecting a certain level of production quality, but don’t get too used to it—it won’t become a trend.
I’ve been following Oceans of Slumber for some time now. Ever since Winter, I’ve been fascinated by its unique blend of Prog, Death, and Goth, infused with a surprising pop sensibility. This is a band poised for greatness, with the potential to become massive. However, I’ve always felt they haven’t quite reached its full potential yet—like it’s close, but still a step away from finding the perfect balance between styles that don’t naturally fit together. And you know how much I hate being late, but this month has been busier than the Mumbai metro. So, let’s dive in. Can Where Gods Fear to Speak be the album that elevates the band to new heights? Let’s find out!
Alright, let’s get something out of the way: when I read that Fourth Dominion was a “Deathwave” band, I asked myself, “What the fudge is that?” and proceeded to complain to my latest underpaid intern about how every band wants to have its own label these days. However, the intern convinced me to try something different from what we usually review at MER. For once, I’ll listen to them without threatening to fire anyone. Diana’s Day isn’t our usual review, but that’s what we came for, right? To try new things, not just to reinforce our biases (oh sorry! You just came for comfort? Well, grow up, kid!). Let’s start!
Metal Eclipse Reviews 