Sinistrous Diabolus: Total Doom//Desecration.
Twenty years. That’s how long we’ve waited for Sinistrous Diabolus’s debut full-length, Total Doom//Desecration.
Shallow Grave — S/T
New Zealand has a twisted heart that’s reflected in the country’s most ill-omened metal. The self-titled debut from Shallow Grave captures that anger and unease flawlessly
Arc of Ascent—The Higher Key
The Higher Key is quite simply one of the finest metal albums to be released from these shores.
Barren Earth—The Devil’s Resolve
Why you’re all not endlessly raving about Finnish sextet Barren Earth is beyond me.
High on Fire—De Vermis Mysteriis
Equal parts enigmatic and ingenious, Matt Pike and the boys have drawn a bloody line in the sand that few would ever dare approach, let alone cross.
Labels—Dark Descent
Dark Descent specialize in releasing albums that adhere to a few simple precepts: they must be raw and they must be unrelentingly visceral. There’s no posturing to be found on Dark Descent’s roster.
Beastwars/ Spook The Horses/ Robin—Live! SFBH, Wellington, NZ, 23 March 2012.
Friday night’s album fundraiser for Wellington’s Beastwars was a hugely emotive evening, with three excellent acts serving up hefty rock and metal to a legion of devoted followers.
Stone Angels—Within the Witch
By dredging the depths of belligerent metal, and combining that with some metaphysical unease, Stone Angels have come up with an album that anyone, whatever their troubles, can find some twisted solace in.
Best of 2011—The Metal (Part 2)
For what it’s worth, and without further ado, here are my choices for the top 45 (or so) metal albums of 2011 (part 2).
Best of 2011—The Metal (Part 1)
For what it’s worth, and without further ado, here are my choices for the top 45 (or so) metal albums of 2011 (part 1).