Self-release – Page 7 – Metal Eclipse Reviews

Thunraz – Incineration Day

You look at that name, you look at that art, you even look at the few band members, and you know that Thunraz’s Incineration Day isn’t going to be an easy ride. It’s not going to be chill or fun. This looks like a trip straight into hell—everything unholy and obscene. But am I exaggerating? Am I falling for the solid marketing job by its creators? In a year brimming with complex and impressive Disso-Death, Thunraz will need something truly distinctive to stand out among the heavyweights. Enough talk—let’s dive in!

Witnesses – Joy

Pegah

“Suppose that pleasure and pain are so intertwined that whoever wants as much as possible of the one must also have as much as possible of the other – that whoever wants to know ‘rejoicing to heaven’ must be prepared for ‘grieving onto death’ as well?“

― Friedrich Nietzsche

Oriska – Oriska

In the sea of heavy releases we have this autumn, sometimes I feel like giving a chance to the little guy. It’s not the first time we do it, Oriska isn’t new here, it’s a True kvlt darling, but there was something else about Oriska‘s self-titled album that drew me into the bleak, crushing depths of its Post-Metal, where soundscapes feel as cold and isolating as missing the last train at midnight in the dead of winter. If you don’t relate—lucky you. But let me share my thoughts on Oriska anyway!

Melted Bodies – The Inevitable Fork

Alright, people, this isn’t going to be our usual review because Melted Bodies is a band so strange and out-of-pocket (in the best way!) that I’m still trying to wrap my head around The Inevitable Fork. Like, what even is that album title? What does it mean? If you think the band is as bizarre as its album art suggests, let me tell you—yes, but maybe not in the way you’d expect. I’ll elaborate a bit to guide you through this journey into the depths of absurdity.

ASCIAN – Sing To Me, Sweet Void

Enough happy times and enjoyable music. It’s time for us to sink into the deepest despair and cry a river of tears. I hope this gloomy intro got your attention because thanks to ASCIAN (don’t confuse it with Asian, you monster!), we’re only going down from here—into more weeping and unfathomable sadness, of course. Right, we’re also here to try to grasp the quality of Sing to Me, Sweet Void (uplifting title, right?). Prepare those tissues, because you might need them by the time we’re done.

Black sites – The Promised Land?

Let’s face it: old-school Heavy Metal sucks. Now that I have your attention, let me tell you that Black Sites is the biggest exception to this rule. Ever since In Monochrome, this band has put out banger after banger, avoiding the common tropes and typical corniness of the genre. Plus, it has its Prog moments! And that never hurts. However, The Promised Land? comes in quietly, maybe because of all the comparisons it’s going to face with other great albums, or maybe because you haven’t done your research and aren’t hyping this band as much as you should. Either way, let’s see if this album delivers!

Mynskh – Chapter II – The Last Messiah

Hi there! Today, we’ve got in our hands an album that can only be described as strange. I’m talking about Mynskh’s Chapter II – The Last Messiah. It’s supposed to be a Black/Death Metal journey, but honestly, it feels more like a Prog and Post adventure that pulls elements from a ton of other influences. You’ve probably noticed that I’m throwing a lot of sub-genre terms into the mix, so you might be wondering what the heck I’m talking about, because it’s making things less clear. Well, that’s kind of what we’re getting into here—an uncertain adventure, most likely with a tragic end. Let’s dance!

Bragging Rights – Small Gods

Maybe we’ll do this more often—giving acts from the deep underground a full platform, as long as they send stuff in advance. Bragging Rights (the name cracks me up) is a project that, by looking at its cover art, you’d think was satirical. I wasn’t quite sure if this meant the album was going to be deeply serious or just troll me harder than this. Either way, I came in with a better disposition than usual because I was on vacation and felt like humanity deserved a chance again (I can’t wait for them to let me down…). Alright, let’s see what Small Gods puts on the table.

Solemn Ceremony – Chapter III

It’s Doom time! I know it might seem like we at MER have an anti-Doom agenda. Nothing could be further from the truth! However, this hasn’t been exactly the most Doom-filled year. That doesn’t mean we can’t run into interesting work. Look at what Solemn Ceremony brings to the table: rough and crusty music that promises to transport you to a much more relaxed world, away from the miseries of your anxious existence. Does it succeed, or can nothing save you from yourself? Slowly, we’ll find out.

Attractive Chaos – Tame & Conquer

I know you think you’re tough! That you’re a creature from the depths of Hell. That you’ve rarely seen the light of day, blah blah… But for once, drop the act, because we’re about to overdose on sugar while reviewing Attractive Chaos‘s album Tame & Conquer, which promises to be more uplifting than reels of hamsters eating veggies. The promo even included a Shakespeare quote! What could be more uplifting than quoting the greatest tragic writer of his time? Okay, fine! He did write comedies too, but enough digressions. Let’s have some hope for once!