So as we approach the end of August, I think it's safe to say that the first 8 months of 2020 have been great for doom (if nothing else). And not just your bog-standard doom metal either, the subgenre has seen a variety of great releases. Just check out new records by Lesser Glow, Elephant … Continue reading Hymn – Breach Us Review
The other night my wife and I were discussing Trolls World Tour, as distinguished adults do, and the song "Crazy Train" came up. She was shocked to learn that it was considered a metal song, I mean after all it was sung by the Rock Trolls, and the song sounds like Enya when compared to … Continue reading Primitive Man – Immersion Review
While the band Turkey Vulture are experienced veterans of the scene, having been involved in a plethora of other projects, there's something youthful and refreshing about their approach on their latest EP Time To Pay. Sure, some of it could be attributed to the sick Satan's¹ high school notebook style cover art, but it mostly … Continue reading Turkey Vulture – Time To Pay Review
While a good portion of my reviews lean toward the fuzzy and riff-laden corner of the rock/metal spectrum, I don't think I've actually covered a straight-up hard rock album yet. Well not until now anyways. Hailing from Reno, Nevada, Kanawha barrelled their way past the armed guards of Burnt Coffee HQ to present us with … Continue reading Kanawha – The Sky Was The First To Fall Review
While I've spent much of this time stuck at home listening to great new music, I've also spent some time watching complete trash TV. A recent favorite of mine is the ridiculously stupid yet ridiculously entertaining Ancient Aliens. I sort of knew what I was getting into when pressing play, but I didn't know my … Continue reading Xibalba – Años en Infierno Review
A few weeks ago Ancient Hand posed this question on Instagram: "Have any of you had THAT album hit you this year? Y'know that album you hear and know it's going to be a favorite right away?" Up until now, my answer to that would be "no." Don't get me wrong, 2020 has been a … Continue reading Lesser Glow – Nullity Review
Elder are among the pantheon of stoner/doom bands such as Khemmis, Pallbearer, YOB, and Spirit Adrift who've achieved critical acclaim and risen above and beyond the ranks of their subgenre ilk. Where Elder separate themselves further, however, is the loosening of their stoner/doom ties on their latest album Omens. Elder have always been the proggiest … Continue reading Elder – Omens Review
Spotlights are part of a legion of bands (see also: Holy Fawn, Niights) who take their shoegaze and post-metal influences beyond the My Bloody Valentine and Deftones aping of their peers to create something they can truly call their own. Their last album Love & Decay made my Top 20 list last year, so naturally … Continue reading Spotlights – We Are All Atomic EP Review
Huntsmen are a band that describes themselves as "Americana metal". Or at least they were - their latest album Mandala of Fear sounds much more post-metal, with sludge, doom, and prog blended in as well. Don't get me wrong, there's still a good amount of their folk and country influences present too. Maybe think Americana … Continue reading Huntsmen – Mandala of Fear Review
Yatra is special to me in that their debut album Death Ritual was the first new album I listened to in 2019. While their latest album doesn't hold the same honor for 2020, I'm still impressed at how quickly the Maryland stoner doom trio were able to churn out another release. Yatra's second album Blood … Continue reading Yatra – Blood of the Night Review
