De Profundis are one of those rare metal bands that, when you first discover them, you realise your folly of not hunting them out sooner and instantly curse those friends of yours that knew about the band already (including having played gigs with them), but had not forced you to listen to them. They are that good… Continue reading
Tag Archives: Progressive Metal
NOVEMBRE – “Ursa”
It seems like a lifetime ago since the last Novembre album, The Blue, was released. It’s been a long 9 years without Novembre releasing any new material. At the time I had only just become a fan of their music and snapped up much of their back catalogue very quickly. So when I heard that there was a new album on its way on Peaceville Records, I was very excited to hear what we’d all been missing for since 2007… and I was not disappointed! Continue reading
TALANAS – “Asylum”
Even with a genre as narrow as Progressive Death Metal, bands taking a step back and releasing an altogether more sedate collection of tracks is by no means unique. For example Opeth very successfully chanced their arm with “Damnation” and more recently Spires laid their souls bare with the incredible “Lucid Abstractions” EP, but this takes a different path still. Stripping back the electrics, distortion, extremity of vocal and drum, the aforementioned examples released works of beauty. Talanas did not… Continue reading
RANNOCH – “Between Two Worlds”
It was clear from the outset that Rannoch were worthy of our collective attention in 2008 when they released their début EP, “Talamh Màthair”. The release displayed ability, confidence and promise in abundance, shining their light forwards and hinting at what may come from putting their own stamp of Extreme Progressive Metal.
Some time passed with little heard from the band, save for electric and acoustic appearances at Bloodstock Open Air in 2011 which tempted more people in to their charms. Now some five years after the début EP, courtesy of London’s Eulogy Media, we finally have the release of the first full length album and it they build on the solid foundations of the earlier work to achieve a powerful and diverse release. Continue reading
AMIENSUS & OAK PANTHEON – “Gathering” (Split)
If I could have picked two US Metal bands to collaborate for a limited split EP, then Tridroid Records had been reading my mind and have released my dream EP this year, giving the label a further tentative step into the world of CDs. In keeping with their model, this EP is available for free download to anyone that wants it, but I think it is safe to say that the CD will sell out rapidly. Continue reading
BE’LAKOR – “Of Breath And Bone”
If you’re going to ape/rip-off your influences at least have the decency to play it well. Luckily for these Be’lakor chaps that hail from Melbourne, Australia their blatant tribute to Gothenburg Melodic Death Metal is performed with distinction and aplomb. Continue reading