UK – Metal Eclipse Reviews

The Larches – Nihilistic Majesties

Thechopstickdrummer

I treasure observing the development of young bands. By “young”, I mean the duration of the band’s existence and the youthfulness of its members. The Larches, an English take on sludge metal-meets-alternative rock, is one of these projects yet to break free from the shackles of their hometown, and I love that. Forming in 2021 near Middlesbrough, The Larches hooked me in with a name inspired by a genus of Northern conifers and a sludgy yet passionate attitude present in their upcoming EP, Nihilistic Majesties. This sophomore release exhibits the band’s gradual shift towards a more industry-ready visual aesthetic, while still recording charming homemade music videos, and while part of me never wants The Larches to leave that amateur aesthetic behind, it’s time to give the band a bigger spotlight. However, in the spotlight comes major criticism.

Witchsorrow – The Devil And All His Works

Pegah

British Doom Metal band Witchsorrow released their latest album via Church Road Records. Rooted primarily in classic old-school Doom Metal and enriched by melodic guitar solos, the album demonstrates a remarkable level of maturity and musicianship. Despite the relative youth of the band members, the record feels remarkably accomplished, evoking the atmosphere of Candlemass and Black Sabbath while retaining the band’s own creativity and distinctive touch.

Vortex Sutra – Noumenon

Metalcatto

I can count on one hand the times an instrumental album has received a full review at MER Industries. It’s nothing personal. We just don’t get too many submissions of this kind, and even fewer from a promoter or label. The truth is, you customers love music where someone just shouts at you constantly. However, Vortex Sutra is a Prog Rock band that is pretty different from what we usually cover. Its album Noumenon surprised me and in a way challenged my reviewer’s habits. That’s good, right? Let’s find out.

Gotta Rank’em All: Every Sylosis Album Ranked

Metalcatto

For some reason that goes beyond my comprehension, Sylosis doesn’t get the love it deserves from us—the media, the critics, the tastemakers. It’s baffling. So I’m here to try to make amends. Let’s go. Enough sleeping on greatness. It’s time to give credit where it’s long overdue.

The Medea Project – Akkadian Artefacts

Vicky

Alright, so I am quite late with a few albums, but I have a good excuse: for the past month I have been practicing and polishing my Latin skills with the poetry of the great Ovid. As a result, yours truly returned from a contest dedicated to Ovid’s literature with a special award and appreciation for great deciphering of his poetries. I’m saying all these not to brag, but to give you some clarity regarding my absence amongst the family reunions held at the Metal Eclipse Reviews webzine (in clear translation, I am saying these for you to understand why you haven’t read anything written by me in quite some time). Anyway, since I also missed our two-year anniversary, I have returned holding a bouquet of roses and am here to shout out: Happy Birthday, MER! May you grow more and more powerful!

Blood Countess – Imperatrix Saguinis

Metalcatto

You wouldn’t be crazy to think that Blood Countess has a blood fetish. I mean, the album is called Imperatrix Sanguinus. Wasn’t it easier to just use a self-title? It’s also obvious there’s some infatuation with royalty. Anyway, if you haven’t noticed already, this is an old school Black Metal album that promises everything the style represents, and yet I’m cautious as usual.

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.

Cognizance -In Light, No Shape

Metalcatto

If you’ve been following MER for a while, you might suspect that Willowtip Records has bribed us into submission. But first, no Metal label has that kind of money, and second, they just make good records. What can we do? So, yes, I expect Cognizance to hit harder than a tomahawk missile—oh, too soon? Anyway, In Light and No Shape is supposed to knock us out on our buttholes. Let’s see.

Hellripper – Coronach

Metalcatto

Yes, I don’t live under a rock. If anything, I have the three Vs—if you know, you know—but everyone has been going head over heels for Hellripper‘s Coronach. I’m familiar with the project’s previous releases, but for some reason, I always forget to return to them. Needless to say, the expectations are understandably high. There’s something about this Black/Thrash/Heavy combo that has escaped me before, and it could happen again, but let’s be optimistic for once. It’s time.

Trve Kvlt Special: Bragging Rights – A Comedy Divine

Metalcatto

I felt like bullying someone today, so I picked Bragging Rights – A Comedy Divine because I know he can take it. This is how I justify abuse, of course. At MER, we’re very familiar with the almost obsessive way this project churns out records. I do wonder if the title is ripping off Dante, but I’ll give it a pass for once. We have to check out those cymbals anyway.