Suffering so you don't have to!
Metalcatto
It’s been a while without Black Metal from the basement. So here we have Taufpatin with an album named Les Malfaisances de la Taufpatin. Ridiculously long title, I know. This should be good, right? It has, in principle, what I’m looking for. However, even I can get a bit fed up with French Metal, but let’s see.
Metalcatto
Usually, I wouldn’t even bother to check a remake or remaster, but Saor is a band I’ve long wondered about: what could they sound like if they had more budget? Not many projects get enough cash to do it all over again, which is why I wanted to check if Caledonia revived the classics or just butchered them harder than Disney. I’m careful today, but a man can dream.
Metalcatto
Oh, how happy it makes me to get another Soliloquium album. Ever since Contemplations, the project has captivated me with its deep and fresh approach to Death/Doom, and though I’ve encountered its latest work as a bit safe, the overall vibe is still one of consistency and love for the game—even if the music sounds like burying your recently deceased pet. Let’s go for it, then.
Metalcatto
Why am I reviewing a long EP? Is it because it’s Behemoth‘s? Yes, totally. If you read this and that, you’ll know I have a rocky relationship with the band. How can they reach such highs and such lows? A mystery nobody can solve. Yet, my real question when it came to I, Scvlptor—why the edgy writing style?—was: is the band more washed than Ali in the 80s, or is there still talent left?
Metalcatto
If you’re an old Cirith Ungol fan, chances are you need a knee replacement. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, I can tell you that maybe only Satan has made a more dramatic comeback from what looked like certain death. The last two albums have been a blast, but can the band top the fun of the classic ones with All The Shadows? Let’s see.
Metalcatto
Despite not being a Sigh expert, the first thing that comes to my mind when I think of the band is innovation. There’s nobody else out there who mixes Folk, Prog, and Black Metal with so much skill. On top of all that, Sigh has had an epic run over the last few albums. It’s hard to imagine Goh-Ka surpassing In Somniphobia, but let’s see.
Metalcatto
When I heard the name Fog Wall, I honestly thought this would be some kind of Gothic journey full of synths and cute flowery riffs. Having said that, I’ve never been so wrong, because Gloomweaver is just absolutely punishing. I wasn’t ready for the intensity here, but that’s what we’re here for—to be totally surprised and destroyed by the horrors and depths of extreme Metal!
Metalcatto
To say I’m a Gorod fan is an understatement. If you’re into Tech Death and don’t know these guys, then stay put because I’m about to do you a favor. Yes, France also has potent bands in this niche too. The real question is if The Ember Gone is going to be able to top the band’s epic catalog. It won’t be easy, but it’s not impossible. Let the shredding begin.
Metalcatto
When you hear the name Green Lung, you either think of the Amazon rainforest or a horrible type of cancer. However, there’s a retro-Heavy and Sludge Metal band out there that has something to show us today. Yet, Necropolitan sounded exactly as I expected. You’ll have to stick around to know if that means good or bad. I’ll keep writing after all.
Metalcatto
There are promos I don’t know how to label. Some would say those are the most interesting ones. I say those are the ones that imply more risk with the crowd. Anyway, Vingulmork sent us Barmhjertighetens Fallitt, an album that first seems to fit the Black Metal mold, but in practice, things get more complicated. Still, fear not, because I’m here to help you figure out if this is worth your time.
