review – Page 6 – Metal Eclipse Reviews

Sakna – De Syv Dødssynder

Metalcatto

I know that when you hear the words one-man Black Metal band, your heart fills with dread—especially if it leans toward the atmospheric side. However, today we’re doing something different. Sakna is a project that existed in hard drives for decades, but after the tragic passing of its creator, his brother S. took on the task of restoring Solemn’s legacy. Hence, this review is written with more respect than usual, because what could be more Black Metal than an artist speaking to us from the grave? De Syv Dødssynder is here!

Pupil Slicer – Fleshwork

Metalcatto

Pupil Slicer has probably the most agonizing name a band could have. There’s no way I read it without blinking just so I can protect my eyes from the images those words evoke. Blossom was a disruptive album that really challenged my definition of loudness and noise, but it left such a lasting impression that when I got the promo for Fleshwork, I knew this job had to be done immediately. I’m a sucker for any Metal that claims to deconstruct something and mix it with some good social commentary, so let’s dive in!

Concert review: Blind Guardian live!

Milo Lane

If you live in Europe, or you’ve been to Europe, you know it usually takes about four hours of driving to get from one city to another. But if you live in the Balkans, you know those same four hours can — and will — stretch into eight. You’ll crawl through traffic jams, bogs, boulders, mountains, and backroads, across endless fields and forests, all just to reach a city Blind Guardian might consider playing in.

Age of Ruin – Nothingman

Metalcatto

You people seem to love when we cover small acts that are either only starting their journey in this cruel world or not getting the love they deserve. So, what about Age of Ruin? It’s a good name, but is Nothingman an underground darling, or am I about to be swallowed by derivative riffs? Don’t worry, you know I like rooting for the underdog, and you can count on this cat to give bands a fair chance without the need for a juicy bribe (though honestly, that’d help in this economy!).

Frayle – Herectics & Lullabies

Metalcatto

Alright, we’ve had some weird and strange albums lately, so how about we return to something even your little cousin can listen to as an introduction to our dark world. Frayle’s Heretics & Lullabies is an enigmatic album in a way. You see, at first glance, it might feel like this is some Nu-Metal spin-off, but the band tends to dive more into Goth and even Doom Metal constantly, which makes it hard to label — but I guess that’s why I’m here, to put names on things people hate to label themselves. I’ll bite the bullet for you!

Veilburner – Longing for Triumph, Reeking of Tragedy

Metalcatto

It hasn’t even been a year since SonikGoat gave Veilburner a crazy score for The Duality of Decapitation and Wisdom. It was indeed a creative effort that showed how Veilburner remains one of the most unique bands out there. I’ve been following the band for a few years now, and despite even owning some of its albums, I’ve always believed it could achieve perfection. That said, consistency isn’t even a question at this point. We know exactly what we’re getting — interdimensional evil music — when these guys are in charge of Longing for Triumph, Reeking of Tragedy. So sit back and prepare yourself for dissonance!

Pest – Eternal Nightmares

Metalcatto

There’s something that many of you feel about German Black Metal. I’m not exactly sure what it is, but maybe it’s similar to what I feel about German Post/Black Metal. Yes, that’s a pretentious distinction to make, but hey — I’ve spent most of my reviewer life putting names to things, so you’ll have to put up with it for a bit. Pest is one of those classic Black Metal bands that, with Eternal Nightmares, promises consistency above all else. But the real question is: will this be fun, or just work? Let’s find out.

Death Has Spoken – Elegy

Metalcatto

I know! We’ve just reviewed some Death/Doom, so why are we doing it again? Well, not every day do we get some of it from Poland, and I thought, well, let’s see if pierogi isn’t the only thing they do differently there. So here we are, ready to dive into some hardcore depression that somehow makes us feel good for at least a few minutes before we’re dragged back into the pain and sorrow of capitalist existence. Oh, sorry! This is Death Has Spoken’s Elegy — let’s go!

Hooded Menace – Lachrymose Monuments of Obscuration

Metalcatto

Let’s say you’re really into Death/Doom and don’t know who Hooded Menace is. Umm, I’m trying to follow up that phrase with a way to forgive you, but it’s hard. Not many bands have continued releasing reliable and even spectacular retro-Metal like these guys. Albums like Never Cross the Dead, Darkness Drips Forth, and Ossuarium Silhouettes Unhallowed are now considered classics. So, you can imagine the bar is high — and since my 80s nostalgia is non-existent, good luck to the band in this review!

Light Dweller/Aoecist/Sleep Paralysis – Illusory Dissolvents

Metalcatto

We cover next to no splits at MER. That’s not totally out of spite, but it’s taken a long time to find one that’s both long and fun enough to write about. So here comes Illusory Dissolvents, mixing up Sleep Paralysis, Aoecist, and Light Dweller. One heavier and more twisted than the other, I know! But can they all work together in a way that fits? Or am I going to feel like someone threw a dead cod in my chocolate pudding? Time to find out if my faith in splits should be restored.