Metalcatto
Here we are. Let’s not waste any time.
Tag: review
Decipher – ΘΕΛΗΜΑ
Metalcatto
There are two certainties when it comes to Greek Black Metal: the artwork is going to be visually arresting, often steeped in occult symbolism, and the distrust for religious institutions will be off the charts. Decipher has built a reputation as a consistent band within this fertile scene, and if its new album, ΘΕΛΗΜΑ, is anywhere near as accomplished as Arcane Path of Resurrection, then the band would have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. Or is it? Cringe and Black Metal have always shared an uneasy, intertwined history, but let’s descend into the darkness and find out.
In Ruins – We Are All To Perish
Metalcatto
Depression! Now that I have your attention, I know you might be wondering if In Ruins‘ album artwork does justice to the music contained within. Just look at it; I haven’t seen such genuinely miserable, hollow faces since the Soviet Union was still a functioning state. That is precisely why this new album, We Are All To Perish, should hit us harder than discovering our favorite band is playing in town only to find tickets sold out in seconds. Anyway, dry your tears elsewhere, because we need to review this agonizing ride.
Muerto – Eclipsed Realms
Metalcatto
If you think Muerto is simply a Death Metal band name, you’ve been thoroughly fooled by the marketing machine. Whatever is happening on its new album, Eclipsed Realms, cannot be so neatly categorized. It certainly cannot be described as Death Metal, nor does it entirely fit within the strict confines of Black Metal, even though its production lovingly embraces that signature rotten, lo-fi aesthetic. Do you expect me to feel some misguided mercy just because we share the word “eclipse” in our respective titles? Hehe, not a chance!
Ashbringer -Subglacial
Metalcatto
Ashbringer is Minnesota’s answer to Deafheaven. For some time now, the band has been delivering emotional and heartbreaking Post-Metal richly layered with atmospheric touches. While Absolution continues to stand as my personal favorite (and arguably one of the best Post-Metal albums ever made!), We Came Here to Grieve was a fascinating, if decidedly weirder, successor. My expectations for this new album, Subglacial, are therefore absurdly high. The fact the band has stated it was created with minimal financial investment only fuels my excitement further! Let’s begin.
Post Luctum – Timor Lucis
Vicky
Being highly passionate about foreign languages and particularly Latin, I have to begin by telling you that Post Luctum comes from “post”, meaning “after”, and “luctum” (from “luctus”), meaning “grief”. At the same time, Timor Lucis also comes from Latin, with “timor” meaning “fear”, and “lucis” (from “lux”) meaning “light”. Ergo, to conclude my complex and meaningful introduction, the band After The Grief will soon release the album Fear of the Light.
Mývalyĭr – The Past Tales
Metalcatto
Mývalyĭr is what happens when you blend the epic, storytelling scope of Blind Guardian with the intense seriousness of a band like Eternal Storm or other deeply committed MeloDeath acts. Consequently, its new album, The Past Tales, sounded on paper like an oddball proposition for me, as it combines elements I deeply love with others I’m almost embarrassed to admit I enjoy. The central question was how the band would balance its grandiose, fantastical aspirations with the musical gravitas such themes demand. Honestly, my initial hopes were buried underground, but there’s always room for dreaming, right?
Stabbing – Eon of Obscenity
Metalcatto
Let’s face it: if you got money every time a Brutal Metal band had a name that implied knife play, you’d be the one invading some defenseless country that has done you no wrong. Either way, Stabbing is supposed to be that Brutal Death Metal band—the one that consistently knocks it out of the park. Its new album, Eon of Obscenity, is precisely engineered to deliver that promise, an auditory experience meant to shake us harder than losing our job on a Friday. But since music this extreme is inherently inhumane, it risks leaving us completely numb. So, what’s the final verdict?
Negative Agent – Terminal Days
Metalcatto
Sometimes, I get to review the weirdest things, and by that, I mean something like Negative Agent’s Terminal Days—an Industrial Metal album steeped in Cyberpunk aesthetics and antifascist politics. This is genuinely underground material, but it arrived with a strong personal recommendation from musicians whom we deeply respect here at MER. Trusting that instinct, I decided to give this electronic assault a fair chance, even though it checks almost none of the boxes on my usual stylistic checklist. There are moments when one simply craves to be surprised, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity.
Karnivool – In Verses
Metalcatto
Karnivool is what happens when a band possesses the intricate, atmospheric ambition of Tool but is fundamentally more willing to wear its heart on its sleeve and openly explore emotional vulnerability, rather than shrouding everything in cryptic metaphor and themes of substance abuse. The band carries both the blessing and the curse of an undeniable landmark album in its past (Sound Awake). Hence, its latest offering, In Verses, arrives with enormous shoes to fill and, frankly, zero of my initial hopes for a triumphant return. But let’s dive in regardless.
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