Pegah
“Where there is sorrow, there is holy ground“
Oscar Wilde
The Bleak Picture – Shades of Life
Tag: review
Völur & Cares – Breathless Spirit
Metalcatto
I’ve seen it all in my short life—from bands trashing venues for fun to false nuclear armageddons. Not much surprises me anymore. And yet, the world still has some strange tricks up its sleeve. This is where Völur & Cares step in. The band claims to be an Experimental Doom act, but to me, Breathless Spirit is pure Avant-Garde Metal. I mean, how else do you describe a Metal album with no guitars—just bass, violin, and drums—centered on an epic Icelandic saga? It’s full-on weirdness, and we’re diving straight in.
Eternal Darkness – Eternal Darkness
Metalcatto
I usually don’t give much context about the bands we review at MER, but this time is different—and not just because it’s a Swedish band again. Eternal Darkness – Eternal Darkness is a debut that took 35 years to get done. I wasn’t even born when the first idea for it started emerging! And yet, I find out the band has already split. Dead before being properly born—well, it can’t get more Death Metal than that. Let’s get to it!
Zeicrydeus – La Grande Hérésie
Metalcatto
When we talk about retro-Metal at MER, we usually end up talking about rancid Death Metal or potato-production Black Metal. However, rarely do we run into a band like Zeicrydeus; one that’s honestly hard to define beyond saying “these guys play a bunch of Metal that reminds me of what dad used to put on here and there.” La Grande Hérésie should be promising just by the fact of having a French title. You know, that usually means this is going to be excellent or cause me indigestion. Let’s start!
Sarastus – Agony Eternal
Ixone
Ever ended up in that situation when you know an album is going to be good just because the band’s discography is flawless? If you haven’t I only have one word to say to you: Sarastus. Despite it appearing like my bias for Finnish Black Metal is doing the talking again (I am too stubborn to just stop pretending that I don’t start drooling when I see that exact tag), I think that the response to their latest record, Agony Eternal indicates that I haven’t lost the plot quite completely.
Ancient Torment – Follow the Echo of Curses
Metalcatto
I’ve seen it all when it comes to band names — from great to terrible — which is why Ancient Torment feels just right. Not too fancy, not too simple. It fits what the band is doing here. It’s not often that a debut sends all the right signals from the start, so I’m expecting something at least decent from Follow the Echo of Curses. And you can’t blame me. How else would I face this job if I didn’t believe in bands? I’d just be another bitter Metal elitist reviewer, I guess — which might make good ragebait. Hmm, maybe I should think about that. Anyway, let’s dive in.
Blind Equation – A Funeral In Purgatory
Metalcatto
Ok, you might be wondering. Do we like manga and anime at MER? To which I say: I don’t represent everyone on the crew, but maybe? I’m no Otaku, but I know a Japanese-inspired product when I see it, and Blind Equation’s A Funeral In Purgatory looks exactly like that. My hopes are rather low, but I’m also sick of reviewing music from the worst toilet at the gas station. I could use a breather — or some good old weirdness. Let’s see if this is what I need to keep going on this endless path.
Fermento – Acts of Blood
Metalcatto
Yes, I’ll be honest, I saw Fermento’s Acts of Blood artwork and thought: “This is exactly what I need on a hot summer day.” There’s nothing like indulging in some self-inflicted sonic punishment. That, and the fact that there aren’t many bands pushing this Death/Black hybrid from Spain. At first, I assumed it was from Eastern Europe, but I quickly realized I was dealing with a group that’s been part of the extreme Metal underground since the early days of the Spanish scene. At MER, we don’t hand out veteran points just for longevity—but this time, an exception might be earned.
Imperialist – Prime
Metalcatto
It might surprise you, but I’ve been following Imperialist for a while. You know I’m all in when it comes to space-themed Metal. However, I must admit that if I ignore the lyrics, this band’s music often feels like effective and almost traditional Black Metal—something that could make many old Norwegians proud. There’s nothing wrong with that, of course, but it did make me wonder if Prime would break the band’s mold or stick to its strengths. After all, if it’s not broken, why fix it?
True kvlt: Lacerations, Mosara, & Chrysalïd
Metalcatto
It feels like fame has gotten to the top of my head and I’m starting to neglect the deep underground, right? Just kidding! But we’ve had a lot of special articles and high-profile reviews lately, and—as usual—the local bands pay the price like innocent bystanders. So now I’m bringing back a bit of justice, even if just for a moment, in this sorrowful world… Wait, what am I trying to say? It’s sunny outside—let’s stick to that mood. Let’s go!
Metal Eclipse Reviews 