Author Andrew Doherty
Stoner-inspired rock n roll is what’s suggested from Norway’s Suncraft, who have been doing their thing since 2017. Originality is never guaranteed but my experience of Norwegian bands of this kind usually means something interesting so although I didn’t know… Continue Reading →
The clue may be in the band name or the album or track titles, which have to do with higher places. Actually, thanks to the guitarist sending in a nice little bio, and a bit of wider research of my… Continue Reading →
There’s nothing sensible about this on the face of it, as the band promote their music as “free jazz, avant-prog”, or as the editor said “screamy sax in squat madness” As they’re French, the sensible would translate as “sensitive” maybe… Continue Reading →
The title translates as “Sorcerer’s Guide” and amid grandiose claims and an explanation that this album revolves around the histories of indigenous pre-colonial life in Mesoamerica, I learnt that black and death metal-influenced work is about war, sacrifice and ritual…. Continue Reading →
A couple of guys from Canada’s British Columbia make up Ulvik, where the emphasis is very much on atmosphere. They themselves capture their work as “an audio/visual project, drawing influence from folklore, esotericism, history and the dramatic Cascadian landscapes”. To… Continue Reading →
“Opus Ferox – The Great Escape” is the eighth album release from Loch Vostok. Andrew Doherty interviewed founder member Teddy Möller about the band, the latest album and future plans. AN: First of all, I appreciate you giving the time… Continue Reading →
The artwork of this album is very colourful and suggestive. Pictures of medieval warriors, lake landscapes and woodlands suggest something from Finland, as indeed does the album title, which in Finnish means “Return”. The artist behind this is in fact… Continue Reading →
If you don’t know whether to play in a hardcore, sludge or black metal style, the solution is simple: you play all three. That’s what Lithuanian band Erdve do. This is their second album release. The subject matter, which amounts… Continue Reading →
As well as being a noted brand of polish for surfaces and furniture, Pledge is the name of a post hardcore band from Portugal. I know that they have a good live reputation, released an EP in 2018 and quote… Continue Reading →
This band, which seems to amount to one person, is from Cuba and this is black metal. “Monotony” is Shrine ov Absurd’s second album release. I suppose an album called “Monotony” isn’t going to have colourful titles, and this doesn’t…. Continue Reading →
“Rok Spokojnego Słońca” (The Year of the Quiet Sun) is the fourth album from black metallers Jarun. But as I was to discover, this is far more than bog standard black metal. The lingering strains of death hang in the… Continue Reading →
A single piece of “sonic sorcery” is the offering from atmospheric black metal band Sea Mosquito. It’s a 23-minute piece though, and a very interesting piece at that. Building up with the drum sounding like a rapid heartbeat, “Fire, Magic… Continue Reading →