Suffering so you don't have to!
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.
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.
Elyna Kahn
Have you ever noticed that when a band releases an album and describes it in terms of music, lyrics, production, and so on, what you end up hearing isn’t always what you were told to expect? Well, that didn’t happen to me with Fer de Lance, an epic Heavy Metal band from Chicago. Their second album, Fires on the Mountainside, arrived in my inbox a while back with a description that went something like this: “This new work promises an immersive experience where epic heavy/power metal intertwines with doom-like overtones and black metal atmospheres, taking the listener through landscapes of mythology, revolution, and darkness. Far from sounding generic, Fer de Lance embraces a bold identity that pays homage to ’90s metal while forging their own path, guiding the bravest listeners toward unforgettable sonic adventures.”
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.
Metalcatto
Sometimes a project crawls out of the pit and dares to challenge us—the filthy snobs who sit around eating chips while we laugh and judge the hard work of real artists. The Biscuit Merchant might have the least intimidating name in Metal (are you a scout selling cookies?), but this Prog/Death Metal project comes swinging with all sorts of quirky moves. Also, the creator of Tempora came recommended by a friend (Am I in Trouble?), and remember: connections are more important than talent or hard work. Sorry, kids! So let’s get into it.
Metalcatto
Byzantine has been going at it for a long time now. Saying that the band has carved its own Prog/Groove/Radio Rock style is one way I can think to compliment its work. So here we have Harbingers. a title that seems to represent the struggles of the parent of an average one-year-old, but I’m sure the album has nothing to do with parenthood sadly (that’d be a bold move in Metal!), and more about something deep and philosophical. Anyway, let’s see what the veterans have for us.
Metalcatto
It’s time for a break—and by that, I mean Metal isn’t always just harshness. It’s a state of mind. Dolven isn’t our usual cup of tea, but I’m kind of tired of people shouting and growling at me, so why not check out In My Grave…Silence, an album that has one of the most sorrowful clean vibes we’ve heard this year (It’s acoustic Doom!). Besides, I love that kind of medieval art. Don’t you?
Metalcatto
I’ve been a Fallujah fan ever since Nomadic, then saw it grow with The Harvest Wombs, reach perfection with The Flesh Prevails (the remastered version that we reviewed, of course!), and finally fall into decadence and collapse with Dreamless and Undying Light. However, Empyrean was a return to form, so I’m honestly stoked to listen to Xenotaph—knowing full well the risk of getting all my hopes and dreams destroyed again is very real. But hey, I’m ready for the pain.
Metalcatto
Don’t you ever feel like you want to get involved in something gross yet compelling? (And no, don’t say what your dirty mind is thinking!) Well, Lenax is a Black Metal band that, despite its underground nature, is trying to remind us of Watain’s good old days. I know that can raise passions, but I consider myself a fan, and nothing would be nicer than returning to that kind of old-school vibe. Infection has a straightforward name and proposal, so at least we’re not getting scammed this time. You’d be surprised how many times that happens with promos. Let’s go!
Stargazer Scholar
Believe it or not, I became a Rivers Of Nihil fan before Owls. Yes, yours truly is a Monarchy convert. The American Extreme Progressive Metal act started out in the atmospheric Tech-Death realm, yet the subsequent inclusion of saxophones and clean vocals made their third album, Where Owls Know My Name, blow up. And well-deserved. But my own relationship with the band began a few years prior, when I was taken aback by the sultry density of the sophomore. The musicians themselves may have gone on record lamenting the underwhelming reception of their second opus, but its importance for the band’s discovery of its own identity is hard to overlook. The Owls I have already referred to, and 2021’s The Work brought along further exploration, as the Rivers flowed into even more experimental waters. I hope you’re feeling as hyped for the 2025 self-titled album as me then, as you never really know what to expect with this talented bunch. Where to now? Was the band able to get over the departure of the lead vocalist? Will we get our sax again? Ah, so many questions.
