USA – Metal Eclipse Reviews

Funebrarum – Beckoning the Void of Eternal Silence

Metalcatto

Old School Death Metal time. Funebrarum is exactly what you expect when I say those words, but fear not—Beckoning the Void of Eternal Silence is attempting to mix things up a bit. We’ll have to judge if the album succeeds at that, but for the moment, rest assured that I won’t be sugar-coating anything. I get more albums like this than potatoes for lunch. I already hate them, but hopefully this one doesn’t get that bad. I mean, you can’t overboil Death Metal and also forget the salt, right?

Immolation – Descent

Metalcatto

It finally happened. The band I always joked about is here. Immolation is like a shark in the sense that after millions of years, it has barely changed in essence. It’s been a crazy release weekend, which is why Descent has a hard task ahead in terms of impressing us, especially if the band is going to blast the same thing again and again. The real question: can this beat Close to a World Below?

Spirit Adrift – Infinite Illumination

Metalcatto

Surprised, mothertruckers. You didn’t know that Spirit Adrift was going to release something today, but I did, because finally being well-connected pays off. Infinite Illumination is meant to give us that Doom and Heavy Metal mix the band has become famous for. Just look at that artwork—doesn’t it bring Nightfall vibes to you? But with more “spiritual substances”? Alright, let’s see if this album can meet the band’s previous epic work.

ORDH – Blind In Abyssal Realms

Metalcatto

It’s time for a debut, and judging by the artwork, I should have some expectations. ORDH is a strange name for a band that is planning to send us to hell and back. Blind In Abyssal Realms is supposed to be everything you want from a Prog/Tech/Death Metal experience. Yet, the band is still new in town, so we still need to give it a baptism of fire. Join me, and hopefully you won’t be more disappointed than the last time your vinyl order was indefinitely delayed.

The Silver – Looking Glass Hymnal Blue

Metalcatto

Two things seem evident to me now. One: that you’re all hyped up about Looking Glass Hymnal Blue. Two: that The Silver really likes the color blue. This eclectic project likes to defy labels, which always sits well with me. However, that doesn’t mean we automatically roll out the red carpet at MER. You could get a boot in the face any day. Just know that before you send us your stuff. Now that this information is clear, let’s start.

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.

Lago – Vigil

Metalcatto

With artwork like that, you know this isn’t an album for grandma. Yet Lago is setting up expectations in a way that’s dangerous, because we absolutely judge a book by its cover. Vigil is supposed to be Death Metal that splits us all in two, but honestly it’s going to take more than just brutal blasting to impress me this time. I’m feeling demanding today. The bar is high, the patience low, and the coffee has worn off.

Neurosis – An Undying Love for Burning the World

Metalcatto

Did Neurosis just jump us in a dark alley, people? I didn’t have any inside information. I’m as surprised as you are. An Undying Love for Burning the World—short title for sure—arrives with the hope of showing us there’s still some edge left on these senior citizens who have done nothing but drop classic after classic for decades. Let’s go.

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.