Thornhill – BODIES

Yeah nah yeah, I must be living under a rock, because before BODIES, I had not heard of Thornhill in any way, shape, or form; and gosh.. What a band! Being their third studio album (and most ambitious release to date), BODIES is an intricately prepared and crafted feast for the sonic palette. Not wasting … Read more

POLAR DUST – FRAGMENTED VEIL

It’s difficult to ascribe a specific genre to Polar Dust’s sound – a stirring cauldron of dark, gothic feels with some alternative and electronic rock mixed in there? It sure makes a unique and distinct recipe. Originally formed in Reykjavik, Iceland by Sara “X” Eksteen; their music most certainly does embody aspects reminiscent of those … Read more

LOWER HOLLOW – THRENODY: SONGS OF FORTITUDE

Lower Hollow, the local metalcore outfit from Johannesburg has been establishing their presence in the scene, but it certainly has been a bumpy ride to get to where they are now. Shortly after the release of their first album, Bloom & Expire in 2023, three of the founding members parted ways with the band. This … Read more

NOITASAPATTI – SANKARIN MATKA

Finnish black metal band, Noitasapatti is about to release their second studio album, Sankarin Matka; out on the 29th of November through Inverse Records. The band has been meticulously crafting the album in their home studio for the past two years and despite many setbacks, it’s finally complete. Now, this is the first time I’ve … Read more

MITHRAS CROWED – HYMNS OF THE HIEROPHANT

Hailing from Johannesburg, South Africa – Mithras Crowned is a black metal band, consisting of sonic sorcerers who all have over a decade’s worth of experience as artists. Now that they’ve released their first EP, Hymns of the Hierophant earlier this year, they are eager to take Europe by storm. Thematically, the band emphasizes topics, … Read more

VOLA – FRIEND OF A PHANTOM

The powerhouse quartet from Copenhagen, VOLA just released Friend of a Phantom, their fourth studio album, on November 1st through Mascot Records. They create an eclectic blend of sounds and atmospheres, making it quite difficult to pin them down to a specific genre; groove-laden progressive alt-rock/metal, with industrial and electronic elements? That’s how I would … Read more

PESTILENT HEX – SORCERIES OF SANGUINE & SHADOW

In twenty days Finnish Symphonic Black Metal duo Pestilent Hex are due to lay siege to every prone mortal form with their latest full length album ‘Sorceries Of Sanguine & Shadow’. Released by Debemur Morti Productions, this atmospheric and highly accessable seven track opus begins with the tinkling keys of haunting intro track ‘Nocturne’ which … Read more

BURIAL HORDES – RUINS

Bleak times call for equally bleak yet blistering music. Enter Burial Hordes, a Greek sonic coven that unleash a malevolent maelstrom of Blackened Death Metal that simmers with nihilistic heft and swagger. Perhaps more Black Metal centered then Death Metal, these Athenians conjure forth punishing music that acts as a merciful balm in a merciless … Read more

DIVERTED DISORDER – TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES

Hailing from the Vaal Triangle and featuring Hardman on vocals Prawn on Rhythm Guitar and supporting vocals, Mike Ramos on Bass and supporting vocals alongside Chris on Drums and lead vocals Diverted Disorder concoct a heady brew which merges Metalcore, Deathcore, Blues and Alternative Rock on ‘Technical Difficulties’ . When their efforts to combine such … Read more

CHEMICIDE – COMMON SENSE

Courtesy of Costa Rican wrecking crew Chemicide comes the blistering conflagration of bone crunching Thrash Metal entitled ‘Common Sense’. This thirty six minute exercise in vintage Thrash oriented vitriol harkens back to the violent metallic thunder plied by Nuclear Assault, Kreator, Sodom and Destruction as much as it shares traits with contemporary collectives such as … Read more