Serpent of Old – Ensemble Under A Dark Sun (2023) – Review

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Do you know why Serpent of Old‘s June 2023 piece Ensemble Under A Dark Sun always slithered back down into the abyss of the oubliette? It’s because this fully bricked wall of sound bores down on you like a herd of bull elephants on a rampage.1 And that turns it into heavy fare, whereas you’ll find an abundance of juicier targets throughout the year.

But first looks can be deceptive. Because, under that heavy armor, excellence may lurk and they hit it like Negative Vortex at a more majestic pace. And this late in the year, we finally … [...] Click to raid more!

Anima Hereticae – Descended from the Mountains (2023) – Review

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Now that’s funky. The RMR crew just wasted some ink on Animae Haeretica, Apostolica’s latest Power Metal record. Thus, confusion reigned in our office suite when the band Anima Hereticae dropped their very own Extreme Metal record Descended from the Mountains with the same release date.

Oh boy. This is either one of Loki’s cosmic jokes or we got ourselves the evil twin from the adepts of the Metal o’ Darkness. Or is the apparent name-dropping just pure coincidence? Let’s find out.


Well, I think the sleepy ones of Insomnium better wake up. There’s a new gang on the … [...] Click to raid more!

Orphalis – As The Ashes Settle (2023) – Review

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What about – some Brutal Death Metal lost in translation with Technical Death Metal? You know, extreme ferocity that won’t change its attack vector until you either fled or were trampled by the horde. It depends, I guess. On the day and the level of rage that the Dark Lord delivers. Because fury is what you need once Orphalis‘ newest As The Ashes Settle unleashes its wares on your sorry bones.

The RMR crew had its differences with the netherworld of Death Metal’s underbelly. You get a pretty broad spectrum, from pretty atrocious and slammy to brutally refined. … [...] Click to raid more!

Panzerchrist – Last of a Kind (2023) – Review

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Panzerchrist - Last of a King - Album Cover

After all that gallivanting about the shiny realm of the Metal o’ the Light, it is time to descend to the 10th circle of hell yet again. Doesn’t exist, you say? Well, wait until you taste the fare the new Panzerchrist record will slam onto your turntable.

And believe you me, this band will try to prove their point with a relentless attack of vile metal. Looks like all those staff changes paid off and the 10-year wait for new material wasn’t such a bad idea after all. Down to the torture chamber with you. Gory fun and games with … [...] Click to raid more!