Self-release – Metal Eclipse Reviews

Ethereal Rot -Ethereal Rot

Thechopstickdrummer

A TECHNICAL DEATH METAL BAND FROM MAINE! I REPEAT, A TECHNICAL DEATH METAL BAND FROM MAINE! How merry can I be! If each of the 50 states contested to see which was most lucrative for extreme Metal music, Vacationland would run sobbing to the nearest blueberry field as California, Florida, and New York fill the podium, all hosting greatly influential Metal movements. To demonstrate the unexpectedly bloodthirsty nature of New England’s northernmost region comes Ethereal Rot, a dissonant Death Metal collective from Portland. Ethereal Rot is releasing their debut full-length record next month, presenting a refined group shaped by on-the-road seacoast slaughterfests and combinations of the bandmates’ past stylings–almost every member hails from former projects spanning power Metal to Metalcore. This debut marks an exploratory thematic shift for the group, demonstrating that Ethereal Rot can withstand the harsh climates of both their state and their industry.

Double Mute – Corporate Culture CEO Edition

Metalcatto

Let’s face it: in our current social and political climate, satire has lost its purpose. Reality is just funnier than anything else. Double Mute has done two things: brought us one of the strangest concepts for a band and shown one of the most heinous cover arts in MER history. Anyway, if Corporate Culture CEO Edition delivers what it promises, I might once and for all punch that intern who keeps messing up the printer at work.

Temple ov Ahriman – Heretics of Consensual Reality

Metalcatto

In our not-so-long career, we have reviewed bands with all sorts of quirky names. Temple ov Ahriman isn’t that weird, but who the heck names an album Heretics of Consensual Reality? I’m old school. I read Durkheim. Reality is what opposes the individual will. This title makes no sense! Anyway, you’re here for the Metal, not for the snobbery. So let’s see if this is more than just average Black Metal.

Tsar Stangra -Химните на разрушените светове (Hymns of the Broken Worlds)

Metalcatto

It’s been a while since I last gave a chance to a little band. Tsar Stangra is basically that – I don’t mean it in a disrespectful way. The whole point of this blog is helping bands reach new people. Hymns of the Broken Worlds pretty enigmatic. Is it folk, or death metal? Or both? Also, I could be wrong, but this might be the first or second band with Bulgarian heritage we’ve reviewed. Hence, I know nothing about Bulgarian metal. Still, there should be fair judgement today. Don’t despair!

W.M.D. – Against All Warnings

Metalcatto

Time for our Thrash album of the month. W.M.D. is Canadian Thrash. That means they’re coming for our heads, but they’ll ask politely first, which would be a nice change for once. It’s hard to have anything new to offer in one of the most ancient subgenres of the Metalsphere, but Against All Warnings is going to try to convince us. Let’s see if it manages to take our money and run.

Nixil / Drouth – Toward Dead Temples

Metalcatto

Time to do something I never do: reviewing a split. There’s just no moment for these eclectic releases. However, Nixil / Drouth‘s Toward Dead Temples caught my attention not only because I’m on a business trip and need a short release that takes less effort than usual—no, no. It’s because this thing radiated Blackened decadent energy, and I’m always in the mood for something like that. Aren’t you?

Premier Jester – Turn You On

Metalcatto

I know we mostly review super underground and legit extreme Metal around here. However, sometimes I need a break from all your edgy promos. Premier Jester is electro Metalcore. If that’s not terrifying enough for you, the album is titled Turn You On. I know what you’re thinking: does this sound like it was written by a twelve-year-old? You’ve gotta stick around to find out. It’s time to leave my comfort zone.

The Biscuit Merchant – Golden Age

Metalcatto

The Biscuit Merchant is back, and if the artwork is telling us anything, they’re now the cookie dealer. If you owe them money, you end up like that. I knew it was only a matter of time before the kids would come back and try to break my legs. So, one of the revelations of 2025 wants to try again. Let’s see if Golden Age is an honorable sequel or just forgotten cookie dough.

Eveale – Enter the Woodland Realm

Metalcatto

We have some usual suspects at MER, and one of them is Steve Wiener, who is also behind Am I in Trouble? That was a classic Post-Black project, but can this working-class Black Metal endeavor reach the same quality level? It’s not our first run into Eveale either, but we hadn’t properly checked Enter the Woodland Realm until now. So one can hope to find a few surprises, right? Yes, I’m feeling optimistic today. If you have a problem with that, we can always throw down outside.

Who On Earth – It Takes the Village

Metalcatto

I keep exploring things I would normally pass on. Everyone else at MER Industries is busy with life, so it’s time for me to try the old school Hard Rock and Heavy Metal ride that Who on Earth is planning to deliver with It Takes the Village. I wonder: to do what? Raise a child? Maybe I’m missing something, but I’ll dive in and find out.