Ukraine – Metal Eclipse Reviews

1914 – Viribus Unitis

Metalcatto

Many bands play war Metal, but very few truly understand it. 1914 certainly does, and Viribus Unitis proves once again that it’s more than just another band referencing history. The past two records could easily be considered modern classics, which made me approach this one with a mix of excitement and apprehension. How do you follow up something that already defined your sound so powerfully? And more importantly, how does a band that has built its identity around the horror and futility of war capture a tragedy of this scale without repeating itself? Those were the questions in my mind when I first pressed play.

Stoned Jesus – Songs to Sun

Metalcatto

Stoned Jesus is probably one of the best band names I’ve heard in a while. You immediately know this is a Stoner/Sludge Metal band, right? True, but that’s the thing about Songs to Sun — it promises to be so much more than another album to roll joints to. There’s a moment of maturity many bands in this niche eventually reach, and I’m wondering if this is that album in its catalogue. The one where it convinces not just the diehards, but everyone else too, that you can be psychedelic and heartbreaking at the same time. Enough waiting, let’s dive in!

Sorrowful Land – Hiraeth

Metalcatto

You know what this year hasn’t had much of (aside from peace and love)? Sad puppy Death/Doom. So I decided to check the inbox and see if we had some. Of course we did: Sorrowful Land – Hiraeth (I swear I’ve reviewed an album with that name before). However, despite my obvious bias for this wholesome and crushing subgenre, I’m trying to give more balanced views lately when it comes to my guilty pleasures. So, let’s see if this album is something Pegah would love, or just me. Let’s dive in!

OBRIJ – Joseph

It’s time for a debut album, my Metal grasshoppers! When I was reading OBRIJ’s promo, I was led to believe that Joseph would totally throw me out of my comfort zone, since it was supposed to have a ton of Hardcore influences. Yet, it was still a Death Metal album, and that always hits home for me. Plus, this work explores the atrocities of Comrade Stalin. There’s no way that horror isn’t Metal enough for us, but as a new band, I still wondered if these guys were capable of pulling anything interesting off. Stay with this cat and find out.

Jinjer – Duél

The elitists will say that Jinjer is a mainstream band that takes a bit of Metalcore and Djent and tries to give it a Progressive twist. Personally, I don’t really care what the gatekeepers think. I’d argue that the band takes elements that have been massively successful and blends them with more underground influences, making them a great ambassador band for those ready to explore the harsher side of our community. That said, my expectations for Duél are realistic—I’ll have fun, but I don’t expect anything to completely blow me away. Let’s dive in and see what it’s all about! Worst-case scenario, we end up liking it, and that’s not so bad, right?

True kvlt special: Krafthur – Acenando aos Pesadelos do Passado

Ixone

For every Black Metal listener with a preference for ferocity over coldness, this album might just be right up your alley. Judging by the album cover alone, it might not seem that way, but the second the second track (the first one is, of course, an intro) kicks in, you’re in for a wild ride. Having been in production for over four years before finally seeing the light of day, it’s easy to (rightfully) assume that this is a carefully written and well-executed record.

Cosmic Jaguar – El Era del Jaguar

An album like this usually goes straight to the True Kvlt section. It came late, with no promo and little clout (plus the title is missing an accent mark in Él, that’s how pedantic we can be at MER). However, I was also puzzled by how strange all its elements were. We’re talking about a Tech Death mixed with Aztec Folk Metal band, from Ukraine, with lyrics in English and Spanish. It can’t get weirder than this. I had to listen to it to believe it. Could Cosmic Jaguar‘s El Era del Jaguar join our small group of year-end deep underground revelations?