review – Page 5 – Metal Eclipse Reviews

Æternia – Into The Golden Halls

Elyna Khan

What follows dissonates with what I’m used to saying about music. I usually don’t write a single word if an album or a band’s work doesn’t fully connect with my sensibilities. But this time, I’ll make an exception: Æternia and their new album Into The Golden Halls. I’m doing it because sometimes we need to be sincere enough to admit that what first sounds like a great record… might not actually be one. And that it’s often smarter not to step into territories we haven’t mastered yet — no matter how much we want to experiment or push for artistic perfection, especially when we already do certain things really well.

Releases That Almost Fell Through the Cracks Nattfly, Crippling Alcoholism& Wolventhrone

Metalcatto

Every now and then, mistakes are made… by the interns, of course — never by me! Isn’t that their job? To take the hit for the brand? Anyway, there have been a few EPs and albums I simply didn’t have time to cover properly, or by the time I got to them, it was already too late. So here’s my attempt at redemption!

Jet Jaguar – Severance

Metalcatto

We have an interesting history with bands somehow inspired by Kaiju (just click here!). That said, the Heavy Metal act Jet Jaguar isn’t exactly what I review daily — usually, Elyna takes on all that uplifting stuff that makes my fur fall off. But Jet Jaguar’s Severance had that nerdy name that made the Metalkitten (my son) say, “Take the one about the robot that fights Godzilla!” I’m pretty sure that’s not what they were going for, but hey — I guess I need to experience different things before time runs out! Let’s begin.

Evoken – Mendacium

Pegah

The American death/funeral doom band Evoken returns with Mendacium, their newly released album steeped in medieval anguish. According to their Bandcamp, the record unfolds in the 14th century, following an aging Benedictine monk stricken with illness and confined to his monastic chamber. His unwavering devotion to God brings neither solace nor redemption. As his body withers and sleepless agony consumes him, the cover art vividly mirrors his torment — a visceral portrayal of suffering and spiritual decay. The spreading blood evokes a sense of sacrifice, as though he is being devoured by his own faith, while the stark contrast between light and shadow within the stone walls captures the divide between his inner torment and the unreachable world beyond.

Defigurement – Endbryo

Metalcatto

I’m feeling generous this week with all the debuts we’ve been reviewing for free. Defigurement presents itself as an experimental Grindcore band, and I’m honestly pleased to live in an era where Grind tries to go beyond the usual chaos we’ve come to expect. It’s not that the genre is too heavy—it’s that it often lacks innovation. However, Endbryo (yes, that’s an edgy title) promises to change the formula and offer something more than just relentless aggression. Before you get your hopes up too high, though, maybe you should read the rest of this review.

Wings of Steel – Winds of Time

Elyna Kahn

Winds of Time, the second album by American band Wings of Steel. Following its 2023 debut Gates of Twilight, the band founded by guitarist Parker Halub and vocalist Leo Unnermark delivers an album that combines a powerful and brilliant modern sound with music that honors the purest form of Heavy Metal, born in late 70s England.

Pedestal for Leviathan – Enter: Vampyric Manifestation

Metalcatto

It’s almost time for Halloween, and I think we’re all trying to find a decent release that fits the mood. I got a random promo from Pedestal for Leviathan for Enter: Vampyric Manifestation, and while these promos don’t usually get much attention, the band sent me a FLAC file—and that always merits respect. Enter: Vampyric Manifestation is what happens when Dying Fetus and Dimmu Borgir have a child together (so, I guess in this case the fetus made it through—yay!). I know it sounds disgusting, but I’m here to tell you to hold on and keep reading.

Argesk – Moonlight Pyromancy

Vicky

If you listen to Black Metal, you might want to read this article. If not, then these following lines might confuse you at least a tiny bit. We know English Black Metal, don’t we? Starting with Venom, continuing with some infamous bands that I might not mention in this article – that, by the way wants to be somewhat decent, and mentioning groups with bizarre names doesn’t exactly help too much –, and finally ending with Cradle of Filth, the Brits definitely have what it takes to make us feel whatever Black Metal is supposed to make people feel (do they all want to make us dance or am I just thinking of CoF’s collab with Ed Sheeran?).

Bonginator – Retrodeath

Vicky

I was convinced that this band’s name was “Borginator”, so trying to find them on Google was not even slightly fun. Anyhow, this review is for all those of you who like Death Metal, fun, and doing questionable things, like smoking weed. Actually, there was this person on Reddit who said that Bonginator has “great songs, stupid lyrics, ’80s style intros.” And that pretty much sums it all up. How? Let’s find out.

Meteora – Broken Mind

Vicky

Arguably my favorite part of writing about Metal bands is discovering hidden gems in the scene. Bands, labels, albums, songs, musicians, demos, EPs—anything for that matter. Coming across new acts in this vast musical territory is always a thrill (at least for me, that is). After taking a short break from exploring new albums to rediscover some of my all-time favorite tracks, I’m back today with a Symphonic/Power/Gothic Metal mini-album that deserves attention: Broken Mind by Meteora. I first heard about these Hungarian Metal masters last year (yes, I mean 2024—for those reading this in 3075, please save me a seat in the flying machine!), when they played at one of my favorite festivals, Symphonic Metal Echoes in Alba Iulia, Transylvania, Romania.