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 …

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 …

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, …

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 – …

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 …

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 …

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. …

The ever-busy Swedish Atmospheric/Progressive/Sludge Metal six piece Cult of Luna return with another new EP, ‘The Raging River’. It it their first album on Red Creek, the band’s newly created record label. Distribution is by Metal Blade Records in North America and Season of Mist in Europe). Cult of Luna – …

Polish Extreme Cult Metal legends Hell-Born return with their first album in twelve years, ‘Natas Liah’, a wittily playful ‘Hail Satan’ backwards, which the band believes is “by far the best album in their career”, a comment you will not find me arguing over! Hell-Born – Natas Liah (Odium Records) …

There are bands who do things by the book. And then there is Louisville Crossover Thrashers Belushi Speed Ball, who have “successfully thumbed their collective nose at conformism since 2013.” Belushi Speed Ball nominally play an aggressive brand of crossover Thrash, but their focus on absurdity and unorthodox aesthetics allows …