True kvlt: Die Entweihung – Kings and Pawns

This is a special segment dedicated to bands emerging deep from the underground, defying all odds to produce compelling work. These acts possess a rawness often absent from mainstream bands, though it might be an acquired taste. The choice is yours—show them love or hate, but whatever you do, give them something!

Nocturnus AD – Unicursal

Sitting on the throne, pondering how humanity has chosen to discard its waste into the very liquid that sustains it, I came to the profound realization that “space” Metal isn’t just a current trend; it has been hot since the 80s (you know, the era of terrible CGI and unmatched arms races). Nocturnus AD is simultaneously new and old. Those of you well-versed in The Culture will recall The Key, released under its previous band name. For those of you who are still tax-fed teenagers, you may recognize them from Paradox. But enough dwelling on the past; let’s delve into Unicursal and see what it has to offer.

LanzerRath / Shroud of Despondency- Split

Today, we’re going to be talking a lot about space. I can’t recall when in my life this happened, but now every sub-genre of Metal needs to have a handful of bands that explore space from all sorts of directions. So, what better way to celebrate our obsession with this nerdy subject than by reviewing LanzerRath / Shroud of Despondency‘s latest Split? It almost escaped me, but I managed to catch the promo before it withered away in my email box. So, shall we?

Aquilus – Bellum II

You might be wondering why I’m writing a review for Aquilus‘s newest release, Bellum II, at this late stage. It’s not typical behavior for the catto. But you see, forming an opinion about Bellum II isn’t as straightforward as just listening to it once. There are layers to this mammoth of an album. My real question was whether it could even hold a candle to Griseus, the subgenre standard. Let’s find out!

Elvellon – Ascending in Synergy

As we grow older, it becomes harder and harder to leave our comfort zone; our melting brains become less open to new experiences. It’s not just my opinion; it’s what science says. In Ascending in Synergy, Elvellon offers me the opportunity to defy my cognitive decay and totally break out of that comfort zone made out of incomprehensible gargling and dissonant riffs. It can’t get more Power/Symphonic than Elvellon, but we’ll see how it holds up.

Retro-Review: Aborted – The Necrotic Manifesto

Welcome to Retro-Reviews, a space where I indulge in my own nostalgic reveries, reminiscing about a time that never truly existed, but one that I’ve crafted through various random albums that hold significance for me. Whether good or bad, one thing is certain: remembering can be a bittersweet journey.