Self-release – Page 3 – Metal Eclipse Reviews

Return to Zion – Burdened with Glorious Purpose

Metalcatto

As you know, we get lots of promos—some by mail, some by text, some by smoke signals—but rarely can we give attention to the little band that sneaks into our DMs. That’s the case with Return to Zion, a band that came to us with nothing but a humble request. And well… here I am, getting all soft and offering Burdened with Glorious Purpose a chance. This Post-Rock/Metal release has the difficult task of standing out as an instrumental album, which is still a hit-or-miss subgenre for me. Can one of these finally match the quality of more standard releases, or are we going to be left waiting?

Chaos Magic – Of Time and Wishes

Elyna Kahn

Chaos Magic, the powerful Chilean Symphonic Metal band led by the talented vocalist Caterina Nix, celebrates ten years of music with the release of the moving EP Of Time and Wishes. This work features five of its most recognized songs: Seraphim, Beware of Silent Waters, and Garden of Winter (in acoustic versions), alongside live renditions of Furyborn and The Impossible. It is worth remembering that Chaos Magic’s self-titled debut album, released in 2015, was produced by maestro Timo Tolkki, achieving a modern, top-tier sound.

Ursawrath – Emergence

Metalcatto

Ursawrath has the kind of name that reminds me of the good old days of the Soviet Union (you know, during the Great Purge and so on). That’s obviously not meant as praise, but it certainly grabbed my attention. Emergence seemed promising to me. It’s been a good year for Thrash—especially for young, hungry bands proving that the most politically subversive of all Metal subgenres is alive and well. Now the real question is whether Ursawrath can break the cycle and offer something truly its own, or if I’m just staring down the barrel of another nostalgia trip I never signed up for. Stay with me and find out.

Shadows – Miseria

Metalcatto

I might’ve said it before, but this year seems to be a big one for Blackened Death Metal, and Shadows wants in on the trend with Miseria. At first glance, the album gives the impression that it’s more than ready to do the job—punching a hole through your emotions and unleashing the evil beast that lurks inside your heart. Does that make any sense? No clue. But what I do know is what this album offers, and I’m about to tell you.

The Medea Project – Kharon

Ixone

Oh good lord, what have I even gotten myself into? One bizarre mention of influences and I’m on a cruise down the river Styx… absolutely brilliant! The Medea Project have come forward and delivered what I can only describe as an absolute Doom Metal oddball; a fascinating one, yes, but an oddball nevertheless. Crushing, eerie and disjointed are only a few of the myriad of adjectives that come to mind when listening to Kharon (the river Styx mention wasn’t actually pointless), brought forth by both the music and the adjacent elements, such as the stunning cover artwork. That being said, I shall leave the introduction as it is and actually do what I am supposed to.

Fermento – Acts of Blood

Metalcatto

Yes, I’ll be honest, I saw Fermento’s Acts of Blood artwork and thought: “This is exactly what I need on a hot summer day.” There’s nothing like indulging in some self-inflicted sonic punishment. That, and the fact that there aren’t many bands pushing this Death/Black hybrid from Spain. At first, I assumed it was from Eastern Europe, but I quickly realized I was dealing with a group that’s been part of the extreme Metal underground since the early days of the Spanish scene. At MER, we don’t hand out veteran points just for longevity—but this time, an exception might be earned.

Bear Mace – Slaves of the Wolf

Ixone

And so it is that I once again find myself venturing into partially foreign musical territory. Not entirely unfamiliar, but just enough outside my usual comfort zone that I initially put off diving into this record—until my conscience kicked in and dragged me back. That brings us to Slaves of the Wolf, the latest album by American band Bear Mace.

Oskoreien – Hollow Fangs

Metalcatto

It’s been a while since we’ve had some Post-Black Metal in our hands. You know how it goes with these types of albums: they either end up on a best-of-the-year list or fade into oblivion. There’s rarely anything in between. However, Oskoreien is a band that, despite having few releases, has been around for a while, which is why I approached Hollow Fangs with a decent amount of respect—and even a little hope. Besides, I kind of dig that dragon artwork (no, the dragon doesn’t look goofy—it’s art!). Now, let’s start throwing down.

Rotgut – 24 oz Cantrip

Ixone

As someone who routinely defrosts halfway through a thrasher during summer, what could be more up my alley than a Blackened Thrash/Speed Metal record about drinking? Absolutely nothing. Rotgut’s very suggestively titled 24 oz Cantrip EP, which reeks of hangover from the album cover alone, delivers an infectious, high-energy sound that’s perfect for a burning June day. That said, be prepared for a whirlwind of chaos.

Lightless – A Foreseen Loss

Pegah

“Yes, the day the world ended and nobody was innocent again. God, how swiftly it all fell down!” ― Arthur Miller, After the Fall.