Suffering so you don't have to!
Metalcatto
The year is almost over. I’m led to believe that the best of the year has passed, that the only thing left is the struggle of picking the best albums this so, so year produced. Yet, a project with an unsurprising name comes in. Weft’s The Splinter Oar reached me with no expectations. I literally picked the album in a rush before leaving home to use it as a soundtrack for my journey to the coal mine. With this little information, we can jump right in!
Metalcatto
Another Black Metal band from France, aaaaah!!! I’m excited. You know nothing mixes like those two when it comes to giving you an interesting experience. However, Morte France wants to do something different with Hesperia: it wants to reconcile Paganism and Christianity, which is like making pasta and chocolate sauce fit well together (food analogies are safe, they don’t offend anyone!). So, this album set some solid expectations for me, which is why I was afraid of ending up with endless disappointment — but let’s get to it.
Metalcatto
We’re back with another post where we give some harsh truths to our patrons and supporters. This time, we have an album that’s coming out in 2026, so we’re starting early with the dreadful year ahead. The Promise of Plague hits us with The Earth Above, A Grave Beneath. I must say, that’s a catchy title—there’s rhythm to it—but defining what Metal style the band plays became more enigmatic than the title itself. “This all sounds promising, Catto, why do you keep me waiting in line?” Because you didn’t bribe me to cut ahead, of course. Anyway, let’s get into it.
Metalcatto
Did you think we were done reviewing new stuff this year? Well no! There are still many albums coming out left and right to the point I’m going to need to hire an assistant just to handle my mails (it’d make me feel so important!). Anyway Lust of Decay is an old-school Death Metal band, I know what you’re thinking, “another one? ok…”, but you see Entombed in Sewage is trying to give you an urban take on the old ways, and that’s not so common, right? Besides, this is practically a comeback album and I have a soft spot for those. Let’s begin.
Metalcatto
We keep trying to catch up in the little time we have left. This time, I bring more hostile stuff, because I believe this wasn’t the strongest year in terms of pointless brutality (sad!), but that doesn’t mean we weren’t going to find some gems laying around. Which is why we’re going to talk about some good old aggressive Metal now and more!
Metalcatto
It’s that time of the year! When I try to look at the albums we missed because we were too busy covering other releases or making the horrible decision of having a life outside music. You should try it sometime — it’s rewarding and actually pays the bills! Alright, so let’s get to it.
Metalcatto
Bragging Rights is one of our oldest followers, so I have to disclose a conflict of interest here. Don’t worry, though — I’m just going to increase the usual banter with Carpe Jugulum. We’re back with your favorite Gojira-worshipping act, and this time we must embrace the artist’s hairline right away, as if he wanted us to admire his last trip to Turkey. Anyway, this is a deep-underground special, and I’m ready to believe those cursed cymbals are finally fixed. Can I dare to have hope? Let’s find out.
Metalcatto
Not many bands can embody the meaning of the term eras like Blut Aus Nord. We have the Vetusta saga, the 777 saga, Disharmonium. A band that basically invented a niche with The Work Which Transforms God (a 5/5 in my list). I’m a huge fan if you haven’t noticed. So comparing Ethereal Horizons with the rest of the band’s work was way more challenging than I expected. All of its albums are different, and yet they share the same identity. So, where to put this one? Let’s see!
Metalcatto
Welcome to the newest section of the blog, where those who patreon/contribute to the site (see options below) get our most honest feedback possible. This is still a review, but it’s also aimed at telling the band what works—and what needs improvement.
Metalcatto
With a name like Sepulchral, you can’t expect Beneath the Shroud to sound like puppies calling for their mom. It’d be dissociative—which is why your instincts are right: this is a Death Metal band. The real question is how old-school it will be, and whether it will honor the North American tradition or the Nordic one. It’s always hard to tell from the start. So let’s remove those doubts right away and aim for the kill once and for all! There’s no time to waste!
Metal Eclipse Reviews 