Self-release – Metal Eclipse Reviews

Wayd – Reinvent

Metalcatto

As the year winds down and I clean our mailbox of lost hopes and dreams, I try to rescue a few things from the junk pile. Wayd is a band that has existed almost as long as yours truly. That usually means one of two things: a great history of success, or a long series of tragic events that stopped the project for years. Sometimes, of course, you get both. Anyway, I’m not entirely sure where Reinvent will fit into this story, but let’s see if the album was worth my dive into the mud. Fingers crossed.

The Feedback Forge: The Promise Of Plague – The Earth Above, A Grave Beneath

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.

The Feedback Forge: Then We Died – Broken Skull Opera

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.

Skovblod – In the Valleys of Winter

Metalcatto

Sometimes, as a reviewer, you find yourself in strange places, where you don’t know if your instincts are right and you’ve found gold, or if the band actually has no hype because your taste sucks. This is how I felt when I heard Skovblod’s In the Valleys of Winter. The band has next to no social media presence yet, but once I listened to the first seconds of this album, I knew I couldn’t let it slide. It hasn’t been the strongest year for Folk Metal, so I’m open to anything that could redeem so many mid experiences. So, should you care about this little Danish project? Let’s see.

Asenath Blake – Low Materialism

Metalcatto

This Halloween showed no mercy! I’m still catching up with it. However, I’d like to continue the tradition of giving projects that send me a FLAC or physical copy of their work an extra chance. Asenath Blake’s Low Materialism has an intriguing proposal, combining the myth of witches with the myth of French postmodernism. Yes, I’m a cat scientist, so you know I’ll jab at those ideas a bit. But we’re not here for intellectual posturing; we’re here to find out if this Post/Black album has something fresh to offer.

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!).

Voragoth – Storm Obey No Masters!

Milo Lane

Greetings, good folk — the prodigal son has returned, and he brings with him an offering worthy of reconciliation. (I swear.) It is Voragoth‘s debut Storm, Obey No Masters! This album found its way to my ears like a messenger from a long-forgotten land, and I cannot help but feel a deep pride for it. It carries more than just music — it carries the weight of folk spirit, of voices joined in comradery, of bonds forged through thousands of years of struggle and memory. Listening feels less like pressing a button that says ‘play’ and more like sitting in a circle where every voice matters, where melody itself is an entity, and a friend.

Tales of Destiny – Ashes of Destiny

Elyna Kahn

It’s a pleasure to discover the depth of some Power Metal bands, whose musical fabric is composed of several layers, textures, nuances, and endearing sonorities. Tales of Destiny is a great example of a band that makes power metal not only a familiar experience, but a significantly deep and emotional one. Born in a small town in Quebec, the band emerged when five young teenagers came together to bring a musical dream to life. Feeling the call of metal and inspired by legends such as Iron Maiden, Iced Earth, and Children of Bodom, they managed to find their own sound, full of fury, passion, and conviction.

Now I’ve Done It – An lll Guest

Metalcatto

I needed a change for a while, so I picked an album that’s going to be out in a while. When I first read about Now I’ve Done It’s promo, I was puzzled. It claimed to be a wild, strange album, but it also featured band members from Lör, one of the few Power Metal bands I can still enjoy these days. An Ill Guest was either going to be an amazing experience or suck harder than a curry with no spices (and if you felt attacked, then you probably have poor taste!). It promised to be something profound, yet the artwork looked pretty disturbing. Was this going to be a schizophrenic trip? Let’s find out!

Mind:Field – An Atonement of Existence

Metalcatto

Here I am again, helping those who are making Metal with their bare hands and gaining promo points by basically sending us a nice presentation email. It’s incredible how good manners still get you far in life, kids! Anyway, Mind:Field is a one-man Prog/Death Metal project, and that’s just as promising as it is dreadful in a way. Will An Atonement of Existence be a refreshing show of creativity, or are we going to be left with nothing but excess and regret? Kind of the way you feel after you empty that bag of fries in less than five minutes. Hopefully, this will hurt my blood pressure less. It’s time!