review – Page 32 – Metal Eclipse Reviews

Panzerchrist – Maleficium Part I

It’s time to return to no-nonsense, unapologetic Black Metal that can tear us a new one any day of the week. So, I bring you Panzerchrist (ask the AI to draw this name, please!) and its new album Maleficium Part I, which promises a level of fury and hysteria that many of you have been missing. You know Black Metal these days—it can get a bit complicated. Don’t you miss some meat and potatoes? Well, I think that’s what we’ve got here—or maybe not? It’s time to find out. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you about this album’s approach.

Ulver – Liminal Animals

Here we are, reviewing one of the most important and influential bands in Metal, yet one that hasn’t actually played much of it in decades. Ulver is a master of alienating its fanbase with every release, and Liminal Animals is no different. It follows the Electronic and Pop elements of its previous entry, but this time, there’s a different tone. The band is recovering from an irreplaceable loss, so I’ll keep the humor—just with extra respect, ok? So, what can we expect from the most Metal non-Metal band out there? Let’s dive in!

Project: Ultimate Satan – The Opus Satanas

Project: Ultimate Satan—now that’s a name I want to shout out loud in front of all my Metal friends (if I had any). They’d be so puzzled, thinking I was talking about some reality show. But enough jokes. Opus Satanas actually brings something interesting to the table. I’d define it as Symphonic Metal that devolves into Death Metal. It’s been a while since we’ve had a proposal like this, and honestly, I needed a break from all the “bark bark bark, dum dum dum” on repeat. So, let’s get to it!

Eard – Melancholia

Stargazer Scholar

Numerous subgenres of Metal have been squeezed to the very last drop of their former originality—exhausted, recycled, and overdone. Weirdly enough, despite its obvious overpopulation problem, Atmospheric Black Metal is not one of those genres. Before you object, dear reader, think of all the outstanding and unique artists this movement has spawned. Consider the legendary dungeon synth escapades of the mighty Summoning and its glorious followers; recall the dreamy medieval charm of the mysterious Obsequiae; and remember the swelling soundscapes of Saor. Italy’s Eard remains a well-hidden but no less precious gem in this constellation of curiosities—a gem yearning to be discovered.

Marilyn Manson – One Assassination Under God – Chapter 1

Ok, sigh, here we go. You guys voted for this in our Instagram poll, so I wash my hands of it! Saying that Marilyn Manson is a controversial figure is like saying Burger King sells burgers. So when I received the promo, my reaction was, “Oh no! What do I do now?” I asked the people—that’s what I did. I also want to state that if MM is guilty of even half of what he’s been accused of, that’s more than enough reason for me to not enjoy anything he’s produced. However, I’m a professional, and in One Assassination Under God – Chapter 1, I’ll do my best to separate the art from the artist.

Within Silence – The Eclipse of Worlds

Elyna Kahn

After reviewing several promos in my inbox, I stumbled upon a title that caught my attention: The Eclipse of Worlds by Within Silence from Slovakia. It was my first encounter with a Slovakian band and another “Within”—aside from Within Temptation. I didn’t know what to expect. I only review music that stirs something deep within my heart. So, after listening to several other bands, I clicked the link without high expectations. I downloaded the tracks and started listening. At first glance, it seemed like a generic Power Metal album. On the second listen, I realized it’s pure Power Metal—in the best sense of the term.

Opeth – The Last Will and Testament

It’s been tough to write this one. You see, Opeth holds the closest sentimental spot in my heart. I loved everything from Orchid to Watershed with passion. I studied the tracks, played them, and then Opeth changed completely. Although I still enjoyed some albums from the Prog Rock era, they weren’t as ambitious or interesting—nothing the ’70s hadn’t already given us (get mad!). Now, The Last Will and Testament comes with big promises. We all heard that the growls were back, but I couldn’t care less—I wanted the songwriting to return. So, I wasn’t too hopeful after the single; I didn’t want to believe the hype! But let’s see if this is a true return to form or just overhyped by every reviewer site out there.

Veilburner – The Duality of Decapitation and Wisdom

SonikGoat

Mephisto Deleterio and Chrisom Infernom follow up 2022’s VLBRNR with their seventh and arguably most potent conjuring yet—and their fourth album on India’s Transcending Obscurity. For those not yet initiated into the Pennsylvania-based act’s particular cult of audial occultism, this is as good a place to begin as any. For those who have followed their earlier work, this album (The Duality of Decapitation and Wisdom) delves further into the peculiar dimension I’ll dub the Veilburnerverse.

Panzerfaust – The Suns of Perdition – Chapter IV: To Shadow Zion

There you can see it: Prometheus carrying the weight of our world, of our sins! There aren’t many bands that portray war like Panzerfaust. It’s not just the horror and immorality of it, but also its symbolism. This band gets that, which is why reaching the end of this tetralogy feels bittersweet. Who else has ever pulled this off? Four albums exploring a single concept with such depth? Maybe only Obscura with its cosmological tetralogy. Anyway, last time Panzerfaust released something, I had my concerns. Let’s see if The Suns of Perdition – Chapter IV: To the Shadow of Zion proves me wrong.

Thunraz – Incineration Day

You look at that name, you look at that art, you even look at the few band members, and you know that Thunraz’s Incineration Day isn’t going to be an easy ride. It’s not going to be chill or fun. This looks like a trip straight into hell—everything unholy and obscene. But am I exaggerating? Am I falling for the solid marketing job by its creators? In a year brimming with complex and impressive Disso-Death, Thunraz will need something truly distinctive to stand out among the heavyweights. Enough talk—let’s dive in!