Extreme Metal

Utbyrd / Symphonic Black Metal both emotively powerful and exhilarating
Originally released independently in a limited capacity, ‘Varskrik’, the debut release from Norwegian Symphonic Black Metal outfit Utbyrd, is now set for a physical launch via Petrichor, something that a work of this nature deserves. Utbyrd – Varskrik (Petrichor) Release Date: 12 March 2021 Words: Jools Green ‘Varskrik’ took the …

Chainsword / An exhilarating breath of fresh air
They may be fairly new to the scene having formed in 2016, but Polish Old School Death Metal outfit Chainsword are an exhilarating breath of fresh air in a genre which has often, of late, failed to impress me. Their debut full length ‘Blightmarch’ does an impressive job of injecting …

Sullen Guest / Embrace the emotional experience of Chapter III
Formed in 2013, Lithuania’s first ever Death/Doom Metal outfit Sullen Guest return with a second studio full length ‘Chapter III’. This follows their 2018 release ‘IIIIXXI’, which saw a major change of line-up, with the only original member, guitarist and founder Tenebra remaining. In a search for a more distinctive, …

Malice Divine / An inspiring example of lockdown creativity
Ric Galvez, former guitarist of Melodic Black/Death Metal outfit Astaroth Incarnate, has finally realised his creative dream with his new solo project Malice Divine. Malice Divine – Malice Divine (Independent) Release Date: 19 February 2021 Words: Jools Green Galvez has released his first self-titled studio full length, handling vocals, lyrics, …

This is Turin / A dense and intense slice of technical excellence
UK Technical Blackened Death Metal brutalists This Is Turin return with another face searing EP, ‘T.U.R.I.N.’. The EP contains just three tracks encompassing a mere thirteen minutes, but it is such a dense and intense slice of technical excellence, that it feels a whole lot longer. This is Turin – …

Edoma / Encapsulating all the best aspects of Black and Death Metal
It is rare that any Russian Metal crosses my path, so when a band that sounds as good as St. Petersburg’s Black/Death Metal quartet Edoma comes to my attention, I have twice as many reasons to be excited. Edoma – Immemorial Existence (Petrichor) Release Date: 19 February 2021 Words: Jools …

DayGlo Mourning / ‘Dead Star’ is a classic Doom gem
Whilst it is true that most of the time I like my Metal to be so brutal it sears the flesh from my face, it is not always the case. Sometimes I just want something to chillax to and ‘Dead Star’, from Atlanta’s Stoner/Doom Metal trio DayGlo Mourning meets that …

Revulsion / Debut full length definitely worth the wait
Finland’s Revulsion have been around since 2010, and in that time have dropped three independent releases; a demo, an EP and a single and now are set to finally release ‘Revulsion’, their debut self-titled full length. It has definitely been worth the wait. Revulsion – Revulsion (Transcending Obscurity Records) Release …

Angelus Apatrida / Riding the Thrash tsunami of the bands seventh album
Spanish Thrashers Angelus Apatrida formed almost twenty years ago and since then they have earned and maintained a well-deserved reputation as modern Thrash Metal greats. This has been achieved by a consistent line-up, hard work and an utterly killer back catalogue from which to deliver some equally killer live sets. …

Darkthrone / Norwegian Metal Legends announce extensive box set
Norwegian Metal Legends Darkthrone are celebrating the 30th Anniversary of their debut album ‘Soulside Journey’, by releasing a massive limited edition boxset titled ‘Shadows Of Iconoclasm’ this 2 April through Peaceville Records. The extensive 6 LP, 4 tape boxset also includes a 7″ alongside a 60 page book and DVD. It …