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, 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
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
Ever since I experienced the frenzied and frenetic ‘Malignant Reality’ by Replicant back in 2021 I was smitten by their bone shattering, Gorguts-meets-groove oriented dissonant Death Metal splendor. Featuring Michael Goncalves, Peter Lloyd, Itay Keren and Justin Spaeth in their ranks, Replicant are a unit that conjure forth music of the most cerebral and visceral … Read more
On their latest album ‘Bellum’ South African sonic cabal Chaos Doctrine invoke a firey inferno of enigmatic, blazing Thrash infused Industrial Metal that is as catchy as an airborne contagion and as crushing as a steamroller. Opening track ‘Lifting The Veil’ is a chrome plated battleship that forges ahead with bruising rhythms, skin-shredding leads, percussive, … Read more
Brazilian bruisers Rebaelliun unleash a deadly froth of violent Death Metal that shares traits with Krisiun, Deicide, Morbid Angel and Blood Red Throne. These stalwarts have been plying their punishing wares since 1998 and their latest album ‘Under The Sign Of Rebellion’ is testament to their veteran status, displaying a band at the height of … Read more
Fossilization conjure forth a murky morass of suffocating Death Metal that draws upon the dark smoulder of vintage Immolation and Incantation as much as it does the modern malevolence of Portal, Abyssal, Fetid and Ulcerate. Hailing from Brazil and featuring members from Death-Doom-Sludge barons Jupiterian , the duo that are Fossilization will send you spiraling … Read more
On their most recent album ‘Extirpated Light’ Maze Of Sothoth unleash a maelstrom of tumultuous Technical Death Metal that is as merciless as it is musically awe inspiring. This thirty six minute exercise in frenetic, ferocious and frantic Tech-Death fury drinks from the same smouldering sonic cesspool frequented by Unmerciful, Dim Mak, Marasmus, Perdition Temple, … Read more
Released last year ‘Legacy’ by Skarthia is a streamlined slab of exquisitely constructed, groove infused Melodic Death Metal that brings to mind the type of mellifiluous fare plied by In Flames and Dark Tranquility melded with the chugging grooves of Machine Head and the Modern Thrash exploits of Lamb Of God. Hailing from the UK … Read more
One of the grisliest slabs of Blackened Deathcore I came across last year was the gritty album ‘Magno Interitus’ by Cabal. These Danes create Blackened Deathcore of the nastiet sort. Rather then symphonic flourishes and orchestral arrangements, aka Lorna Shore, The Breathing Process or Worm Shepherd, Cabal concentrate their Blackened ideology upon frost bitten riffs … Read more