101010.pl is one of the many independent Mastodon servers you can use to participate in the fediverse.
101010.pl czyli najstarszy polski serwer Mastodon. Posiadamy wpisy do 2048 znaków.

Server stats:

500
active users

#ÆtherRealm

0 posts0 participants0 posts today
Angry Metal Guy<p><a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/amgs-unsigned-band-rodeo-nephylim-circuition/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">AMG’s Unsigned Band Rodeö: Nephylim – Circuition</a></p><p><i>By Dolphin Whisperer</i></p><p><em>“AMG’s Unsigned Band Rodeö” is a time-honored tradition to showcase the most underground of the underground—the unsigned and unpromoted. This collective review treatment continues to exist to unite our writers in boot or bolster of the bands who remind us that, for better or worse, the metal underground exists as an important part of the global metal scene. The Rodeö rides on.”</em></p><p>Oranjeboom, a low-frills lager, holds little love in its home country of the Netherlands, so much so that its production there was discontinued until only recently.<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/amgs-unsigned-band-rodeo-nephylim-circuition/#fn-214756-1" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">1</a> Why does that matter? It really doesn’t, but it is a fun fact about the Netherlands and a beer synonymous with their lineage. <strong>Nephylim</strong> hails from the Netherlands too, and, with any luck, their brand of big scope, big sad melodeath will stake a claim that lands with bolder flavor. Over the past ten years, this five-some has cut an EP and a full-length through their own determination. And now, with this sophomore follow-up <em>Circuition</em>, <strong>Nephylim</strong> may just be hitting their stride. Or, at least, our Rodeö crew seems to think so. Crack open a cold one and sip on riffy sadness. – <span><strong>Dolphin Whisperer</strong></span></p><p></p><p><strong><a href="https://nephylim.nl/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Nephylim</a> // <a href="https://nephylimnl.bandcamp.com/album/circuition" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><em>Circuition</em></a> [March 7th, 2025]</strong></p> <p><span><strong>Steel Druhm</strong></span>: Sometimes when you press play on a Rodeö candidate, you wonder why they aren’t signed because they sound so polished and professional. Such is the case with Dutch melodeathsters, <strong>Nephylim</strong>, and their sophomore opus, <em>Circulation</em>. Taking cues from <strong>Ominium Gatherum</strong>, <strong>Be’Lakor</strong>,<strong> Enshine</strong>, and the more progressive works of <strong>Edge of Sanity</strong>, <strong>Nephylim</strong> voyage across various styles of melodeath but always keep things anchored firmly in the Wheelhouse of <span><strong>Steel</strong></span>. After a beautifully regal instrumental opener, <em>Circulation</em> heats up on “Travail Pt. 2 – Animus,” which is like a glowing distillation of <strong>Wolfheart </strong>and <strong>Be’lakor</strong> with a seriously epic vibe coursing through it. The guitars riff, trill, and shimmer with a Tuomos Saukkonen-esque flair as grand orchestrations amplify the sound to herculean proportions. It’s the beast of death metal with the beauty of melancholic music, and this style has a proven appeal. I love the majesty of “Grand Denial” and the hints of <strong>Dark Tranquillity</strong> woven throughout, and the title track bears traces of Dan Swanö’s <strong>Moontower</strong> and Tomi Joutsen-era <b>Amorphis</b> as it seamlessly melds heavy and sadboi moments. Unfortunately, not every cut hits with the same soul-searing slash of wintery pathos. “Amaranth” is a bit too generic and pedestrian, and though “Withered” does some things very well, the writing is a touch less compelling. Elsewhere, closer “Inner Paradigm” feels like something from the later eras of <strong>In Flames</strong>, not bad, but less impactful. At thirty-eight minutes, there are bits of bloat scattered around, but nothing that’s fatal if swallowed. There’s a lot to like about <em>Circulation</em>, and I’m left still wondering why <strong>Nephylim</strong> aren’t signed. With this much potential, they should be! <strong>3.0/5.0</strong></p><p></p><p><strong><span>GardensTale</span>:</strong> From two live shows, I already knew <strong>Nephylim</strong> were good. I could not have anticipated what a masterclass <em>Circuition</em> would turn out to be, though. Combining the maudlin symphonic details of <strong>Fires in the Distance</strong> with the melancholy hope and impeccable composition of <strong>Countless Skies</strong> is no easy feat, but the songwriting has taken a giant leap forward. <em>Circuition</em> is absolutely packed with beautiful melodies, addictive hooks and enticing cascades. The flow is downright brilliant, such that even after a dozen spins, I find myself glued to the speaker in anticipation of the next stanza, the next riff, the next solo. These are linked together with transitions that are set up and knocked down perfectly, helping every track rush past in spiraling eddies like white water rapids after heavy rain. “Circuition” yanks the heart-strings the hardest; follow-up “Withered” has a more basic structure, but the amazing harmonies and powerful solo make it a standout anyway. Cherry on the cake is the top-shelf production, with meticulous mastering and a balanced mix. The sparse clean vocals aren’t great, just okay, and a few tracks end a little more abruptly than I’d like, but these are small bumps on an engaging journey that begs to be spun again and again. <strong>4.0/5.0</strong></p><p></p><p><span><strong>Kenstrosity</strong></span>: Dutch sadboi melodeath quintet <strong>Nephylim</strong> graced my Bandcamp feed a few months back. I was intrigued, but did not bite. At least, not until our Kermity <span><strong>GardensTale</strong></span> recced it for Rodeö duty, at which point I dove straight in. Embodying a wondrous merging between <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/countless-skies-glow-review/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><strong>Countless Skies</strong></a>, <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/fires-in-the-distance-air-not-meant-for-us-review/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><strong>Fires in the Distance</strong></a>, and a light touch of <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/the-drowning-the-radiant-dark-review-and-album-premiere/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><strong>The Drowning</strong></a>, sophomore effort <em>Circuition</em> garnered instant adoration from this sponge. A rarer feat, <strong>Nephylim</strong>’s latest only deepened its hold on my heart, as the opening “Travail” suite enamored with epic soars of melody, crushing riffs that ground the piece in deathly gravity, and emotive roars that shake the roots underfoot. “Amaranth” doubles down on that palpable momentum, bringing forward a fun factor that belies <em>Circuition</em>’s introspective character. Beautiful synths and keys dot the landscape just above that metallic verve and swinging rhythm, evoking something inherently mystical while still operating within the bounds of the human spirit (“Circuition”). As the potent pull of songs like “Grand Denial,” “Withered,” and immense closer “Inner Paradigm” continually challenge my perception of what constitutes a highlight, I find myself universally immersed, committed, and compelled by <em>Circuition</em>. Experiencing this, as much as I pine for new material from those great acts that <strong>Nephylim</strong> remind me of, I know in my soul that <em>Circuition</em> is one of 2025’s foremost contenders. <strong>Great!</strong></p><p><span><strong>Maddog</strong></span>: When Fenrir finally closes the curtain on 2025, <strong>Nephylim</strong>’s <em>Circuition</em> will be one of my few fond memories of this disastrous year. This hidden melodeath gem triumphs by embracing simplicity without stagnation. No one would argue that <strong>Nephylim</strong>’s guitarists stretch the limits of human dexterity. And yet, as <em>Circuition</em> buried my ears in riffs upon riffs, it dragged me into its orbit. Blending the classic stylings of <strong>Dark Tranquillity</strong> with the modern touch of <strong>Æther Realm</strong>, <strong>Nephylim</strong> won me over through its irresistible energy. While I initially fell in love with merely a couple of its songs, <em>Circuition</em>’s consistency unveiled itself over time. Indeed, while the closer “Inner Paradigm” was initially my least favorite song, its <em>Shadows of the Dying Sun</em> riffs and its somber ending have made it a highlight. Despite its consistency, <em>Circuition</em>’s mood changes keep it fresh. The fantastic midsection of the album progresses from gargantuan riffs (“Grand Denial”) to tear-jerking <strong>Enshine</strong> melodies (“Circuition”) to explosive choruses (“Withered”). <em>Circuition</em> is textbook, but it’s both a thrilling spectacle and an emotive powerhouse. Every piece is essential, and every piece is distinctive. <strong>4.0/5.0</strong></p><p><strong><span>Killjoy:</span> </strong>The term “Nephilim” in the Hebrew Bible is often translated as “giants” in English. Accordingly, melodic death metal band <strong>Nephylim</strong> does everything big. Riffs? Big. Rumbling death roars? Big. Thunderous rhythm section? Big. <em>Circuition</em> feels like a highlight reel of the serious and somber side of melodeath, with each individual song bringing something unique to the table. “Travail Pt. II – Animus” embellishes the somber intensity of <strong>Insomnium</strong> with delicate piano keys reminiscent of <strong>Fires in the Distance</strong> and heaps of symphonic bombast. The suspenseful drum beats which introduce “Amaranth” organically build excitement by layering on bass and then guitar lines before releasing the pent-up energy with a furious snarl and fiery riffs. But there’s also a tender side to <strong>Nephylim</strong>; “Circuition” adopts a melancholic and folk-tinted mood laced with deep, beautiful croons, all of which I associate with <strong>Vorna</strong>. <em>Circuition</em> is considerably more ambitious than <strong>Nephylim</strong>’s debut, but they never let their ambitions spiral out of control. If anything, I’d like to see them continue to develop their symphonic side that they teased in the first two tracks. Although I find the last third of the record ever so slightly less engaging, I can endorse all thirty-eight minutes of <em>Circuition</em> as worthy of your time. <strong>3.5/5.0</strong></p><p></p><p><a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/2025/" target="_blank">#2025</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/angry-metal-guys-unsigned-band-rodeo/" target="_blank">#AngryMetalGuySUnsignedBandRodeo</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/angry-metal-guys-unsigned-band-rodeo-2025/" target="_blank">#AngryMetalGuySUnsignedBandRodeo2025</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/aether-realm/" target="_blank">#ÆtherRealm</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/belakor/" target="_blank">#BeLakor</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/circuition/" target="_blank">#Circuition</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/countless-skies/" target="_blank">#CountlessSkies</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/dark-tranquillity/" target="_blank">#DarkTranquillity</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/dutch-metal/" target="_blank">#DutchMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/edge-of-sanity/" target="_blank">#EdgeOfSanity</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/enshine/" target="_blank">#Enshine</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/fires-in-the-distance/" target="_blank">#FiresInTheDistance</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/in-flames/" target="_blank">#InFlames</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/independent-release/" target="_blank">#IndependentRelease</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/insomnium/" target="_blank">#Insomnium</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/mar25/" target="_blank">#Mar25</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/melodic-death-metal/" target="_blank">#MelodicDeathMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/moontower/" target="_blank">#Moontower</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/nephylim/" target="_blank">#Nephylim</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/omnium-gatherum/" target="_blank">#OmniumGatherum</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/progressive-death-metal/" target="_blank">#ProgressiveDeathMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/self-release/" target="_blank">#SelfRelease</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/the-drowning/" target="_blank">#TheDrowning</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/wolfheart/" target="_blank">#Wolfheart</a></p>
Angry Metal Guy<p><a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/sheogorath-antimon-review/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Sheogorath – Antimon Review</a></p><p><i>By GardensTale</i></p><p>Most metalheads are nerds. But nerds come in gradations, and the same goes for bands. On a scale of ‘watched <em>Game of Thrones</em> once’ to ‘alternates LARPing and demoscene meets every other weekend,’ solo black metal bands are along the lines of ‘hobbyist cosplayer.’ <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/sheogorath-antimon-review/#fn-212077-1" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">1</a> So it’s a good thing that <strong>Sheogorath</strong> founder Matej Kollar got his buddy Patrick Pazour to do vocals, as social interaction automatically decreases the nerdiness. But wait, what’s that? <strong>Sheogorath</strong> is a character from the Elder Scrolls video games? Oh Matej. Into the vat of foam swords you go, buddy. Jabs aside, <strong>Sheogorath</strong> has been hammering away for over a decade already, and <em>Antimon</em> is album number 4 in that time, so we can at least have an expectation of experience from the duo. But expectations may lead to disappointment, which leads to anger and hate, as I think Yoda said. So will <strong>Sheogorath</strong> live long and proper, or is it a TPK?</p><p>A cursory scan of <strong>Sheogorath</strong>’s prior material shows a promising and rather vicious melodic black metal act at work, so color me shocked when <em>Antimon</em> demonstrates a hard swerve into <strong>Aether Realm</strong> territory. A hoarse scream and a handful of tremolos are all that’s left of the band’s black metal roots, but the screams are now complemented by occasional cleans and a few guest female vocals. Synths have come out of the woodwork to add a shot of 80’s fantasy adventure flair, and the riffs and arrays of solos are melodic to a fault, to a point where the vocals are the only thing guarding the border between melodeath and power metal. <strong>Sheogorath</strong> is rolling out of the darkness on wheels of cheese.</p><p>But if you’re not lactose intolerant and willing to indulge in the Viking-themed LARP, there is a lot of decent-to-good material to be found. Kollar is a hell of a guitar player, able to sustain pretty catchy material at speed and using a broad array of techniques. From galloping power metal riffs (“Mage in Rage”) to energetic blackened bursts (“Odin”) to sea shanty swing (“Set Sails”), there’s plenty of enjoyable guitar work, and the band displays a knack for varied songwriting that seems to draw on a different set of influences for every next track. “Set Sails” and “Raziel” are especially good, as <strong>Sheogorath</strong>’s constituent parts feel more cohesive and the flaws of the rest of the album are largely absent here.</p><p></p><p>Because there are certainly a host of flaws. <em>Antimon</em> may be <strong>Sheogorath</strong>’s 4th album, but the complete overhaul in terms of style and genre leaves the album sounding much like a new band that happens to use some stuff from its predecessor. Pazour’s got a decent scream, but his range is limited, which leaves him fighting the melodic songwriting. This is more than evident whenever he tries his hand at clean vocals, which span perhaps a quarter octave and are the worst part of every song they appear in. The lyrics are a parade of inane cliches, and they emphasize the predictability of the songwriting, which often travels the path of least resistance. The keys tend to hinder more than they help due to their limited library, evoking dungeon synth as much as string quartets and the short synth solo in the opener still sets my teeth on edge.</p><p><strong>Sheogorath</strong>’s self-reinvention is not a full-blown success yet. Some of the instrumentation and songwriting choices feel slapdash, added to fit a formula without having the right tools or skills to pull them off. But the flaws don’t go down to the bone. The riffs and energy are infectious and the guys know how to write a hook. I’m not certain yet that they wouldn’t have been better off sticking to actual black metal, but I’m not yet wholly writing off this stylistic swerve just based on <em>Antimon</em>. With some hard reflection and improvements in key areas, there’s no reason <strong>Sheogorath</strong> can’t make a real banger next time.</p><p></p> <p><strong>Rating:</strong> 2.5/5.0<br><strong>DR:</strong> N/A | <strong>Format Reviewed:</strong> 320 kb/s mp3<br><strong>Label:</strong> Self-released<br><strong>Websites:</strong> <a href="http://sheogorath.at" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">sheogorath.at</a><br><strong>Releases Worldwide:</strong> January 24th, 2025</p><p><a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/2-5/" target="_blank">#25</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/2025/" target="_blank">#2025</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/antimon/" target="_blank">#Antimon</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/austrian-metal/" target="_blank">#AustrianMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/aether-realm/" target="_blank">#ÆtherRealm</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/jan25/" target="_blank">#Jan25</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/melodic-death-metal/" target="_blank">#MelodicDeathMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/review/" target="_blank">#Review</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/reviews/" target="_blank">#Reviews</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/self-released/" target="_blank">#SelfReleased</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/sheogorath/" target="_blank">#Sheogorath</a></p>
Angry Metal Guy<p><strong><a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/stuck-in-the-filter-june-2024s-angry-misses/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Stuck in the Filter: June 2024’s Angry Misses</a></strong></p><p><i>By Kenstrosity</i></p><p></p><p>Managing this Filter is a full-time job. Or it would be if I paid anyone, or got paid myself. I doubt anyone in this godforsaken facility has seen a greenback in the last two decades.<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/stuck-in-the-filter-june-2024s-angry-misses/#fn-201200-1" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">1</a> Nonetheless, I grabbed my clipboard and my flogger and I made my way to the lockers, where my dutiful minions await my first order of each day. It’d been a minute since we cleared out the ducts in the south wing of <strong>AMG</strong> Headquarters, so that’s where I ushered my team first. The poor souls shivered at the thought of tackling a highly neglected section of the system. But, as always, work needs doing and this is the work.</p><p>At long last, just when I started considering replacing my whole crew outright and leaving the current one for dead, they returned, battered and winded, but alive. And they brought wares! O blessed day! Without further ado, I bring you our June Filter!</p> <p><strong><span>Kenstrosity’s Medieval Mutton<br></span></strong></p><p><strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/aklashmusic" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><strong>Aklash</strong></a><strong> // <em>Reincarnation </em></strong>[June 20th, 2024 – Self Release]</strong></p><p>Proving the unlikely flexibility of black metal as a medium, tales of knights, castles, and fantastical clashes of class marries with charred extremity so effortlessly that it comes at no surprise to me how UK Medieval melodic black metal troupe <strong>Aklash</strong> came to be. Kicking fourth record <em>Reincarnation </em>off with an incredible one-two punch, “Reincarnation” and “Communion with Ghosts,” <strong>Aklash</strong>’s melodic black metal-meets-<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/vulture-industries-ghosts-from-the-past-review/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><strong>Vulture Industries</strong></a>-meets-<strong>Modest Mouse</strong>-meets-<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/aether-realm-tarot-things-you-might-have-missed-2017/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><strong>Æther Realm</strong></a> concoction charms its way deep into my very being. These songs, burgeoning with lush compositions, incredible guitar work, and multifaceted personalities, evoke imagery of the ancient and the arcane so vividly that it often feels like traveling through time in an alternate universe of magic and mirth. The rabid “Babylon” takes this initial salvo and stabs yet another 1,200cc of pure adrenaline into my veins.<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/stuck-in-the-filter-june-2024s-angry-misses/#fn-201200-2" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">2</a> As my neck swings and spirals with great velocity, giant mugs of mead spontaneously manifest in both fists. What is a sponge to do but imbibe? Against all odds, such infectious energy sustains into the magnificent closer “My Will Made Manifest,” making this record a wall-to-wall festival of sound. If it weren’t for a couple of frilly interludes and the teensiest spot of bloat in a couple of places, I could see <em>Reincarnation</em> growing into a year-end contender. In the end, it might do just that.</p><p></p> <p><strong><span><strong>Thus Spoke’s Forgotten Findings</strong></span></strong></p><p><strong><span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557511479684" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Cainites</a> // <em>Revenant </em>[June 21st, 2024 – <a href="https://scarletrecords.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Scarlet Records</a>]</span></strong></p><p>It was once rumored across Eastern Europe that those who rebelled against the Orthodox church were cursed to become vampires after they died. <em>Revenant</em>, however, follows an Orthodox priest, whose induction into the class of bloodthirsty monsters happens irrespective of his religious devotion. Crafting a spooky tale with Scandinavian-inspired melodeath and flourishes of synthy blackened death, Italian duo <strong>Cainites</strong> strike a little like a less-polished <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tribulation-down-below-review/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><strong>Tribulation</strong></a>, but with bags of their personality. These guys know how to write a riff that shivers its way up your spine (“Theotokos,” “God’s Wrath,” “Redemption”) and dance around in your belly (“Darkness Awaits,” “Forgive Our Sins”), and damn, can it be catchy. Using a dueting mixture of growls and moaning cleans, choruses jam their way into your brain and don’t budge (“Vampire God,” “We Lost Our Sanctity”), amplifying the gleefully malicious bounce of the riffs with tongue-in-cheek melodrama. Solos have just enough yearning depth while staying grounded with a gritty tone, and not outstaying their welcome. The album generally treads the line well between camp and serious, discounting, perhaps, the extended spoken-word Bible recitation where God curses Cain (“Cainites”). In all, it’s a very good time and only grew on me the more I listened. One to check out for true fans of melodeath.<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/stuck-in-the-filter-june-2024s-angry-misses/#fn-201200-3" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">3</a></p><p></p><p><strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/inheritsthevoid/?ref=page_internal" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Inherits the Void</a> // <em>Scars of Yesteryears </em>[June 21st, 2024 – <a href="https://avantgardemusic.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Avantgarde Music</a>]</strong></p><p><em>Scars of Yesteryears </em>took me so much by surprise that I had to be informed by another staff member that it even existed. Having reviewed last year’s <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/inherits-the-void-the-impending-fall-of-the-stars-review/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><em>The Impending Fall of the Stars</em></a>, and finding it quite an uplifting piece of melodic black metal, I was keen to see where the project had gone, musically, in the intervening time. The answer is nowhere, but that’s not entirely negative. This is still soaring (“L’effigie Du Déclin”), epic (“Scars of Yesteryear,” “L’eternelle Course Des Astres”), blistering (“Celestial Antler”), and sometimes beautiful (“The Endless Glow of Twilight”) meloblack. With lightning-fast and stormily dynamic riffing and enough of a melodic through-line to keep things going. The highs are not as high as they were on the previous record, the slower moments lacking the atmosphere and grandiosity that former work showed (though coming closest on “L’eternelle…” and “The Endless…”). However, the whole feels more consistent and steady, with the first half whizzing by on the tailwind of “Celestial Antler,” “The Orchard of Grief,” and “Ashes of Grievance”‘s bubbling energy, and the second dipping in intensity only to be saved by the final couple of tracks. Above-average, fiery meloblack, and worth taking for a spin even if it won’t be making any lists.</p><p></p> <p><strong><span><strong>Dear Hollow’s Dumpster Disturbance<br></strong></span></strong></p><p><strong><a href="https://www.bilmuri.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Bilmuri</a> // <em>American Motor Sports</em><i> </i>[June 28th, 2024 – Self Release]</strong></p><p></p><p>Everyone loves easycore.<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/stuck-in-the-filter-june-2024s-angry-misses/#fn-201200-4" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">4</a> In an alternative universe where easycore is a natural progression of pop country rather than pop/punk, it becomes an international treasure and that treasure is <em>American Motor Sports</em>. Of the crabcore alum of <strong>Attack Attack!</strong>,<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/stuck-in-the-filter-june-2024s-angry-misses/#fn-201200-5" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">5</a> Johnny Franck is least likely to be featured on Octane Radio,<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/stuck-in-the-filter-june-2024s-angry-misses/#fn-201200-6" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">6</a> as the <strong>Bilmuri</strong> project has been a means for musical exploration since his departure. Offering the most streamlined homage to the three M’s (‘Murica, memes, and the Midwest), get ready to crank your hog to ten songs of heartbreak, beer, and landscaping through arena pop country with needlessly heavy djent guitar riffs – alongside Franck’s signature insanity coursing through all the movements. From the deathcore-meets-honkytonk and sub drops of “Better Hell” and “Spinnin’ You Around,” the blaring and sexy sax solos of “2016 Cavaliers (Ohio),” “Straight Through You,” and “Drunk Enough,” the blazing fiddle of “Talkin’ 2 Ur Ghost,” to the Kevin James breakdown call out of “Emptyhanded,” <strong>Bilmuri </strong>creates an infectious blend of the safely predictable and the utterly apeshit. It features guest artists from country scenes (<strong>Dylan Marlowe</strong>, <strong>Mitchell Tenpenny</strong>) and indie pop spheres (<strong>Knox</strong>, <strong>Arizona</strong>) who all add yearning and theatricality to Franck’s already emotive performances. <em>American Motor Sports </em>is twenty-eight minutes of catchy melodies, scathing grooves, and tastefully tragic lyrics with a penchant for memes. We’re all supposed to hate it, but much to my assigned promos’ dismay and <span><strong>Steel Druhm</strong></span>‘s chagrin,<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/stuck-in-the-filter-june-2024s-angry-misses/#fn-201200-7" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">7</a> I haven’t been able to listen to much else.</p><p></p> <p><strong><span>Dolphin Whisperer’s Maritime Musing</span></strong></p><p><strong><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/HouleOfficiel/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Houle</a> // <em>Ciel Cendre et Mis​è​re Noire</em></b><strong> [June 7th, 2024 – <a href="https://lesacteursdelombre.net/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Les Acteurs de l’Ombre Productions</a>]</strong></strong></p><p>We all know that black metal hits harder when it’s actually something else wrapped in a blackened and shrieking package. France’s <strong>Houle</strong> offers <em>Ciel Cendre et Misère Noire</em> as a one part <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/yer-metal-is-olde-iron-maiden-iron-maiden/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><strong>Iron Maiden</strong></a>, one part <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/immortal-war-against-all-review/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><strong>Immortal</strong></a>, and two parts unstoppable siren screaming as vocalist Adsagsona shreds throat through each of the blazing numbers on this debut (minus the beer-swinging sailor intro). Her ear-stabbing cries tally high, and if it weren’t for her glottal punishments and accompanying guitarists’ breaks into tremolo melodies, tracks “Sur Les Braises de Foyer” and “Sel, Sang et Gerçures” could be instead the backdrops to something of the dark power metal world, replete with <strong>Maiden</strong> bass gallop and anthemic flair. She has a fine narrative croon too, but it’s her flagrant vocal flayings that sell the extremity of what <strong>Houle</strong> packs as ballast. With terraced guitar lines and thrashed-out drum breaks (“La Danse du Rocher,” “Mère Nocturne”), <em>Ciel Cendre</em> has the forward energy of battle and doesn’t let go to the very end, joining bands like <strong>Aorlhac</strong> and <strong>Passièsme</strong> in the modern melodic black metal field fit for castle raids. But as long-form closer “Née des Embruns” reinforces with calls of the ocean in its open and fade, <strong>Houle</strong> attacks from the sea. <em>En garde</em>!</p><p></p> <p><strong><span>Mark Z.’s Musings</span></strong></p><p><strong><strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/200StabWounds/?eid=ARBzEfZwmKJ_MAFrLvTQdr10_TXxRAnHrddQRVrqDHMl8QhP3g6RtNZGqAwezHu04lLHarCWUER0q_m3&amp;fref=tag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">200 Stab Wounds</a> // <em>Manual Manic Procedures </em></strong>[June 28th, 2024 – <a href="https://www.metalblade.com/us/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Metal Blade Records</a>]</strong></p><p>Following a rapid rise to fame during the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ohio death metal troupe <strong>200 Stab Wounds</strong> thrust their <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/200-stab-wounds-slave-to-the-scalpel-review/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><em>Slave to the Scalpel</em></a> debut onto the masses in 2021. While I was about as mixed on that one as <span><strong>Felagund</strong></span> was, their second album <em>Manual Manic Procedures</em> has proven these wounds cut far deeper than originally thought. The beefy chugs that the band has become known for are still here in full force, but now they’re paired with sharper hooks and a heightened sense of maturity. On <em>Procedures</em>, you’ll hear acoustic plucking, immense <strong>Bolt Thrower</strong> riffing, grooves that will blow your guts out, and even some melodic death metal influence—and that’s just on the first song. The band also knows when to give you a breather, be it a well-placed atmospheric instrumental (“Led to the Chamber / Liquefied”) or an extended ride on a great groovy riff (“Defiled Gestation”). With a monstrous guitar tone, plenty of killer moments, and a track flow that’s smoother than liquefied human remains, <em>Manual Manic Procedures</em> feels like modern death metal coming into its own.</p><p></p><p><a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/200-stab-wounds/" target="_blank">#200StabWounds</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/2024/" target="_blank">#2024</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/aklash/" target="_blank">#Aklash</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/american-metal/" target="_blank">#AmericanMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/american-motor-sports/" target="_blank">#AmericanMotorSports</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/aorlhac/" target="_blank">#Aorlhac</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/arizona/" target="_blank">#Arizona</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/attack-attack/" target="_blank">#AttackAttack</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/avantgarde-music/" target="_blank">#AvantgardeMusic</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/aether-realm/" target="_blank">#ÆtherRealm</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/beartooth/" target="_blank">#Beartooth</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/bilmuri/" target="_blank">#Bilmuri</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/black-metal/" target="_blank">#BlackMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/blackened-death-metal/" target="_blank">#BlackenedDeathMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/bolt-thrower/" target="_blank">#BoltThrower</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/cainites/" target="_blank">#Cainites</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/ciel-cendre-et-misere-noire/" target="_blank">#CielCendreEtMisèReNoire</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/death-metal/" target="_blank">#DeathMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/dylan-marlowe/" target="_blank">#DylanMarlowe</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/french-metal/" target="_blank">#FrenchMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/houle/" target="_blank">#Houle</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/immortal/" target="_blank">#Immortal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/inherits-the-void/" target="_blank">#InheritsTheVoid</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/iron-maiden/" target="_blank">#IronMaiden</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/italian-metal/" target="_blank">#ItalianMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/jun24/" target="_blank">#Jun24</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/knox/" target="_blank">#Knox</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/les-acteurs-de-lombre-productions/" target="_blank">#LesActeursDeLOmbreProductions</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/manual-manic-procedures/" target="_blank">#ManualManicProcedures</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/medieval-black-metal/" target="_blank">#MedievalBlackMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/melodic-black-metal/" target="_blank">#MelodicBlackMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/melodic-death-metal/" target="_blank">#MelodicDeathMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/metal-blade-records/" target="_blank">#MetalBladeRecords</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/mitchell-tenpenny/" target="_blank">#MitchellTenpenny</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/modest-mouse/" target="_blank">#ModestMouse</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/of-mice-and-men/" target="_blank">#OfMiceAndMen</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/passiesme/" target="_blank">#Passièsme</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/reincarnation/" target="_blank">#Reincarnation</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/revenant/" target="_blank">#Revenant</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/review/" target="_blank">#Review</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/reviews/" target="_blank">#Reviews</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/scarlet-records/" target="_blank">#ScarletRecords</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/scars-of-yesteryears/" target="_blank">#ScarsOfYesteryears</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/self-release/" target="_blank">#SelfRelease</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/stuck-in-the-filter/" target="_blank">#StuckInTheFilter</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/tribulation/" target="_blank">#Tribulation</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/uk-metal/" target="_blank">#UKMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/vulture-industries/" target="_blank">#VultureIndustries</a></p>
Angry Metal Guy<p><strong><a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/thermality-the-final-hours-review/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Thermality – The Final Hours Review</a></strong></p><p><i>By Kenstrosity</i></p><p>Envy is a powerful drug. At no point does it give me any kind of high, and yet once I get a hit of it, I have a difficult time letting it go. Whether it be someone who inspires me to improve a skill or talent I already have, or someone who just can do something I as of this moment can’t, seeing artists accomplish feats that I struggle to fathom leaves me in a murk of awe, admiration, and envy, all in equal measure. Enter Swedish melodic death metal band <strong>Thermality</strong>, comprised of five kids who are all at least a decade younger than me right now, as they release their sophomore record <em>The Final Hours</em> with full label support from Black Lodge.</p><p>Pulling a great deal of influence directly from early <strong>In Flames </strong>and some of <strong>Kalmah</strong>’s jauntier fare, <strong>Thermality</strong>’s second outing contains a whopping fifty-five minutes of chunky riffs, effervescent guitar melodies, bumping rhythms, and throaty rasps. High levels of Gothenburg aura radiate from these thirteen tracks, providing more than a fair amount of swagger to the overwhelming majority of <strong>Thermality</strong>’s material. As a record, <em>The Final Hours</em> evokes a distinct <strong>Aether Realm</strong>-esque character, storytelling both in musical composition and lyrical content taking top priority. For <strong>Thermality</strong>, this strategy works extremely well. If nothing else, composing <em>The Final Hours</em> the way they have demonstrates that the band fully understands their references, knows how to write with a rapidly developing voice inside a deeply established field, and performs it with polish and poise beyond their short years.</p><p></p><p>The tricky part about writing a long-form, story-driven record in this style is making sure all of its material is strong enough to keep me interested and immersed as a listener. <strong>Thermality</strong> do an admirable job of the attempt, but fall just short of the landing. While early cuts like “Weeping Angels” and “Stranger” hit harder with galloping riffs and vivacious grooves, the record passes by rather forgettably until “Nightfall.” With each song tapping out around the four-minute mark, I’m stuck in a bit of a rut waiting for <em>The Final Hours</em> to lock me in for approximately thirty minutes. It’s a long wait. Compounding this issue, <strong>Thermality</strong>’s vocalist sounds strained and rough around the edges. He manages to hold it together throughout, but I found myself worrying that his technique here will result in injury before improvement. That being the case, it’s been difficult to cozy up to the record the way I’d ideally prefer.</p><p></p><p>Nevertheless, <strong>Thermality</strong>’s strength as songwriters shines through in <em>The Final Hour</em>’s best offerings. Album highlight duo “Nightfall” and “The Hunter and the Nightmare” utilize eerie, ethereal synthwork to great effect as an introductory hook, leading directly to some of the record’s strongest guitar lines. Meanwhile, the latter song makes great use of <strong>Beethoven</strong>’s “Symphony No. 5” for a classical twist in solos and lead melodies, and then uses those cribs as a vehicle for buttery smooth transitions back to original material. Aforementioned early star “Stranger” marks the highlight of the first half, boasting excellent synergy between core theme, lead melody, and exuberant percussion. Not only are these musical cohorts well matched, but they are also quite memorable in spite of—or perhaps because of—their compositional straightforwardness. On a grander scale, <em>The Final Hour</em> isn’t the most memorable record, but it is enjoyable in the moment. Beyond proving the potential these young artists possess, this record’s reliably pleasurable nature showcases the hard work and diligence <strong>Thermality</strong> put into their craft. That dedication alone demands respect.</p><p><em>The Final Hours</em> is just the beginning for <strong>Thermality</strong>. Talented but practiced, young but polished, passionate but thoughtful, they’ve already attained a full understanding of who they are and what they want their music to sound like. What follows is merely a matter of momentum. <em>The Final Hours</em> itself didn’t impress me as better-rated records I’ve covered must. However, the band garnered my full attention after creating a work that sounds this professional at such an early stage. I am very interested to hear how they develop and improve. <em>The Final Hours</em> come just before a bright new era for <strong>Thermality</strong>.</p> <p><strong>Rating</strong>: Mixed [Non-Derogatory]<br><strong>DR</strong>: 7 | <strong>Format Reviewed</strong>: 320 kb/s mp3<br><strong>Label</strong>: <a href="https://blacklodge.se/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Black Lodge Records</a><br><strong>Website</strong>: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thermality/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">facebook.com/thermality</a> | <a href="https://thermality.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">thermality.bandcamp.com</a><br><strong>Releases Worldwide</strong>: August 16th, 2024</p><p><a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/2-5/" target="_blank">#25</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/2024/" target="_blank">#2024</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/aug24/" target="_blank">#Aug24</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/aether-realm/" target="_blank">#ÆtherRealm</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/black-lodge-records/" target="_blank">#BlackLodgeRecords</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/death-metal/" target="_blank">#DeathMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/in-flames/" target="_blank">#InFlames</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/melodic-death-metal/" target="_blank">#MelodicDeathMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/review/" target="_blank">#Review</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/reviews/" target="_blank">#Reviews</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/swedish-metal/" target="_blank">#SwedishMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/the-final-hours/" target="_blank">#TheFinalHours</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/thermality/" target="_blank">#Thermality</a></p>