Author Archives: Gustavo Scuderi

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About Gustavo Scuderi

"If I could survive to live one more time I wouldn't be changing a thing at all Done more in my life than some do in ten I'd go back and do it all over again..."

Album Review – Crown of Madness / Memories Fragmented (2025)

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An up-and-coming duo from Canada attacks with their first album, unique in the style of Dissonant Death Metal, sounding and feeling deeply personal and palpably emotive.

Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada-based Dissonant Death Metal duo Crown of Madness has put out a slew of short-form releases, improving upon their sound with each one and culminating in their first full-length opus that sees the most evolved version of their music so far, entitled Memories Fragmented. Displaying an apocalyptic artwork by Erskine Designs, the new album by Sunshine Schneider on vocals, guitars and bass, and Connor Gordon on drums happens to be unique in the style of Dissonant Death Metal, sounding and feeling deeply personal and palpably emotive, and that poignant, introspective mood pervades their entire album, being therefore highly recommended for fans of Ulcerate, Devenial Verdict, Dysgnostic, and Gorguts, among others.

The beyond cryptic, devilish intro Visions From A Past Life will penetrate deep inside our psyche before the duo crushes our souls in Sovereign Blood, with Sunshine sounding amazing with her harsh vociferations and dissonant riffs, supported by the demolishing drums by Connor; and the same Connor continues to show his undeniable dexterity in Burdened, offering Sunshine exactly what she needs to shine with her she-demon gnarls. Ashes of Mine is another classy, visceral fusion of Death Metal with Dissonant, Experimental and Avantgarde Death Metal, perfect for some mosh pit action; and Sunshine and Connor sound even more in sync in When I Don’t Remember You, darkening the skies to their gripping riffs and blast beats.

The second half of the album begins in full force with Deafening, bringing forward two and a half minutes of top-of-the-line Dissonant Death Metal, inspiring the duo to sound even more demented in Sea of Fangs, in special Sunshine with her deep, venomous roars. Dreamless Nights No Longer brings to our avid ears an avalanche of Stygian, dissonant sounds by Sunshine and Connor that will invade our deepest thoughts, sounding ruthless form start to finish, and they keep blasting our senses with another cryptic tune entitled Hollow Thresher, which could have been slightly heavier or more dynamic, though. And lastly, we’re treated to The Grand Design, presenting more of their amalgamation of dark, doomed styles with pure insanity.

In a nutshell, Memories Fragmented is a beautifully tempered album underpinned by unforgettable melodies, an ambitious release but one completely devoid of pretence, which is bound to be regarded as one of the standout albums in the style in the years to come. Having said that, don’t forget to go check what the duo is up to on Facebook and on Instagram, to stream their music on Spotify, and of course to purchase a copy of such an incendiary album from the duo’s own BandCamp page, as well as from the Transcending Obscurity Records’ BandCamp, main store, EU store, or US store. This is first-class, unparalleled Death Metal made in Canada by a beyond talented duo, and I bet you’ll fall in love with them once you let the music found in their newborn spawn be the soundtrack to your own fragmented memories.

Best moments of the album: Sovereign Blood, When I Don’t Remember You and Dreamless Nights No Longer.

Worst moments of the album: Hollow Thresher.

Released in 2025 Transcending Obscurity Records

Track listing
1. Visions From A Past Life 2:30
2. Sovereign Blood 3:43
3. Burdened 3:06
4. Ashes of Mine 4:46
5. When I Don’t Remember You 4:32
6. Deafening 2:30
7. Sea of Fangs 3:52
8. Dreamless Nights No Longer 3:53
9. Hollow Thresher 2:56
10. The Grand Design 4:13

Band members
Sunshine Schneider – vocals, guitars, bass
Connor Gordon – drums

Album Review – Venamoris / To Cross or To Burn (2025)

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Dave and Paula Lombardo’s “vein of love” pulses once again through their sophomore album, delivering a multi-directional statement that resonates with character while side-stepping away from staid radio clichés.

Two years after the release of their debut album Drown In Emotion, Venamoris (taking their name from the Latin “vena amoris”, or “the vein of love,” purported to run from the left-hand ring finger to the heart), the Los Angeles, California-based Dark Pop/Rock/Metal duo of legendary drummer Dave Lombardo and Canadian-born singer-songwriter Paula Lombardo, returns to taction with their sophomore opus, entitled To Cross or To Burn. Engineered and produced by Dave Lombardo, mixed by Dave’s own son David A. Lombardo, mastered by Golden Mastering, displaying a charming yet dark artwork by Chippy (aka Heung-Heung Chin), and featuring very special guests Trevor Dunn (Mr. Bungle, Tomahawk), Ra Diaz (Suicidal Tendencies, Korn), Alex Skolnick (Testament), and Gary Holt (Exodus, Slayer), the new album by Paula on vocals, synthesizers and piano, and Dave on the guitars, bass and drums is another milestone in their career, delivering a multi-directional statement that resonates with character while side-stepping away from staid radio clichés.

Paula begins distilling her charming vocals in Stay With Me, featuring Trevor Dunn on contrabass, offering two minutes of classy music that will penetrate deep inside your heart. Dave then joins his wife with his unparalleled beats (as well as a solid performance on bass) in In The Shadows, also presenting some symphonic nuances; whereas Paula is on fire with her piano and smooth vocal lines in Truth, a song that could easily be played on any radio station so delicate yet powerful it sounds. In Stain Of Pain we’re treated to the magnificent sounds blasted by bassist Ra Diaz and guitarist Alex Skolnick in a Jazz-infused tune perfect for listening to together with your loved ones, while Spiderweb sounds very sexy, dark and alluring, with Dave’s beats matching perfectly with Paula’s minimalist piano notes.

Alex Skolnick is back in Burnt Paper, offering almost three minutes of darkly delicate sounds to our avid ears, followed by Holding On To Nothing, which presents a similar vibe as its predecessor, albeit not as enfolding nor mysterious. Then the always sharp guitar lines by Gary Holt bring a delicious vibe to their cover version for Animal Magnetism, originally recorded by Scorpions back in 1980 (check the original version HERE), from their classic album Animal Magnetism, while Paula shines on vocals once again. After that, it’s time for another devilish, atmospheric creation by the Lombardos titled Numb, presenting hints of Alternative Rock and Electronica; and closing the album we face the title-track To Cross or To Burn, ending the whole experience on a futuristic, cinematic way, with Dave again sounding amazing on both the guitar and drums.

“Creativity should have no limitations,” Dave remarks. “I don’t feel that there should be any musical style that Venamoris should avoid.” Having said that, what are you waiting for to explore the amalgamation of styles brought together by the Lombardos in To Cross or To Burn? You can find the duo on Facebook and on Instagram, stream their music on Spotify, and purchase their striking new album from BandCamp or by clicking HERE. Venamoris is the perfect example of how love and music unite in perfection when the musicians involved are not only extremely talented and focused, but also in absolute sync, translating their passion, struggles and emotions in real life into first-class music like what’s offered in To Cross or To Burn, touching the hearts of all of us in a beautiful and compelling way.

Best moments of the album: In The Shadows, Stain Of Pain and Animal Magnetism.

Worst moments of the album: Holding On To Nothing.

Released in 2025 Ipecac Recordings

Track listing
1. Stay With Me 2:02
2. In The Shadows 3:52
3. Truth 3:33
4. Stain Of Pain 2:51
5. Spiderweb 3:47
6. Burnt Paper 2:45
7. Holding On To Nothing 3:10
8. Animal Magnetism (Scorpions cover) 5:20
9. Numb 3:30
10. To Cross or To Burn 4:27

Band members
Paula Lombardo – vocals, synthesizers, piano
Dave Lombardo – guitars, bass, drums

Guest musicians
Trevor Dunn – contrabass on “Stay with Me”
Ra Diaz – bass on “Stain of Pain”
Alex Skolnick – guitars on “Stain of Pain” and “Burnt Paper”
Gary Holt – guitars on “Animal Magnetism”

Album Review – Grima / Nightside (2025)

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This cryptic, haunting Atmospheric Black Metal entity returns with its sixth offering, a dark ritual of ancient forest magic honoring the spirit of the Siberian Taiga.

With already 10 years of scene-stealing experience behind them, the cryptic, looming stars of Siberian Atmospheric Black Metal known as Grima are unleashing upon humanity their sixth full-length offering, the breathtaking Nightside, a dark ritual of ancient forest magic following up on their critically acclaimed 2022 opus Frostbitten. Produced by the band itself alongside Vladimir Lehtinen, recorded by Vilhelm and Serpentum at Grima The Mighty Studio, mixed and mastered by Vladimir Lehtinen at Blastbear Sound, and displaying a somber and classy artwork by Paolo Girardi, the new album by twin brothers Vilhelm on vocals and guitars, and Morbius on the guitars, with the support of session musicians Serpentum on bass, Vlad (Morokh, Solarfall, Ultar) on drums, Valentina Astashova (Eoront, WirgHata) on keyboards, and Sergey Pastukh on the bayan, is set to honor the spirit of the Siberian Forest, Taiga, while also bringing to our avid ears an overdose of high quality atmospheric and extreme music.

Serene, gentle sounds permeate the air in the atmospheric intro Cult, with the bayan by Sergey adding an extra touch of finesse to the overall result, exploding into Beyond the Dark Horizon, where Vilhelm’s harsh, devilish gnarls will send shivers down your spine supported by the classic Black and Doom Metal beats by Vlad, therefore resulting in a bold, dense and multi-layered aria of darkness by Grima. Then the striking sound of the bayan once again brings sheer magic to Flight of the Silver Storm, with the guitars by Vilhelm and Morbius exhaling Black Metal, being perfect for some vigorous headbanging in the bitterly cold darkness of the Siberian Tundra; and the gentle guitar lines by the Siberian twins ignite the also enfolding Skull Gatherers, with Serpentum and Vlad generating a heavy, pounding ambience tailored for Vilhelm’s venomous roars. Then featuring guest vocals by Savely Nevzorov (Deafknife, Ultar) and Ilya Panyukov, Impending Death Premonition is a lecture in Atmospheric Black Metal showcasing striking yet melodious riffs intertwined with sheer violence, anger and obscurity.

The second half of the album begins with the breathtaking The Nightside, with its menacing wall of sounds dragging us all to the cold landscapes of Siberia while their riffs and blast beats, supported by the whimsical keys by Valentina, sound utterly dynamic and captivating. They continue to darken the Siberian skies with their harsh but extremely beautiful music in Where We Are Lost, with Vilhelm and Morbius delivering a thrilling riff attack; whereas Savely and Ilya return in full force in Curse of the Void, starting again in an embracing, mysterious manner before such an amazing metal entity from Russia crushes our souls with their stylish Atmospheric Black Metal sounds. Lastly, the band invests in a more melancholic, cadenced sonority in Mist and Fog, bringing more elements from Doom Metal and even Depressive Black Metal to their core sound, with Vilhelm taking the lead with his sharp, devilish gnarling before all flows into the climatic outro Memories of a Forgotten Home, bringing some peace to our hearts and soothing our souls as we succumb to the enfolding darkness of the Taiga in the harshest of winter.

In addition to their unforgettable sound, the band’s eerie, piercing looks, towering like living trees with intimidating carved wooden masks and branched fingers, adds another haunting element to their brutal yet beautiful output. Hence, with their mysterious visual aura and intriguing sound, on Nightside, Grima continue to prove themselves as an unmissable band to watch within the genre, and you can explore their distinguished realm by following them on Facebook, Instagram, and VKontakte, stream their music on Spotify, and purchase their newborn beast from BandCamp, from Napalm Records, or simply by clicking HERE, letting the darkly menacing beauty of the night sky from the Taiga penetrate deep inside your soul to the sound of one of the best albums of extreme music of the year.

Best moments of the album: Flight of the Silver Storm,  Impending Death Premonition, The Nightside and Curse of the Void.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Napalm Records

Track listing
1. Intro (Cult) 2:00
2. Beyond the Dark Horizon 3:36
3. Flight of the Silver Storm 6:01
4. Skull Gatherers 5:37
5. Impending Death Premonition 6:25
6. The Nightside 7:29
7. Where We Are Lost 6:31
8. Curse of the Void 4:35
9. Mist and Fog 5:09
10. Outro (Memories of a Forgotten Home) 2:03

Band members
Vilhelm – vocals, guitars
Morbius – guitars

Guest musicians
Serpentum – bass (session)
Vlad – drums (session)
Valentina Astashova – keyboards (session)
Sergey Pastukh – bayan (session)
Savely Nevzorov & Ilya Panyukov – vocals on “Impending Death Premonition” and “Curse of the Void”

Concert Review – Swallow The Sun (The Velvet Underground, Toronto, ON, 02/21/2025)

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A night of sheer doom, darkness and melancholy in the form of first-class heavy music took the skies of Toronto this Friday night.

OPENING ACTS: Snakes Of Russia, Ghost Bath and Harakiri For The Sky

A few days after the heaviest snow storm the city of Toronto has seen for quite some time, The Velvet Underground hosted the Shining Over North America Tour 2025 with the bands SNAKES OF RUSSIA, GHOST BATH, HARAKIRI FOR THE SKY and SWALLOW THE SUN, and of course Keith Ibbitson of Metal Paparazzi and I were there to cover such an amazing event. Well, unfortunately due to the insane traffic to get to Toronto AND also inside the city, it was impossible for several concert goers to arrive in time for the performance by United States-based Darkwave/Electronic/Ambient act SNAKES OF RUSSIA, including Keith and I. I honestly have no idea how the show was, if the crowd enjoyed it or not, as while Snakes of Russia was playing I was desperately trying to find a parking lot where most spots were not taken by huge snow banks. At least before the show I had some time to listen to their 2023 album True Surrender, available on BandCamp and on Spotify, and although it’s not my cup of tea I must admit it’s a really cool album for fans of the darkest side of electronic music.

Band members
Joseph Holiday – vocals, all instruments

When I weas finally able to get inside the venue, American Depressive/Post-Black Metal entity GHOST BATH had already started their setlist, but at least in this case I had plenty of time to enjoy their harsh and sinister performance, led by the visceral, anguished screams by vocalist and guitarist Nameless. One of the main issues with The Velvet Underground, if not their biggest issue, is the fact the stage is way too low, almost as if it doesn’t really exist, and it’s really tough to see the bands performing there unless you’re two feet from the “stage”. Add to that a few pillars in the middle of the venue, and there you have the perfect atmosphere to mainly listen to the music played without seeing anything. Furthermore, Keith couldn’t make it in time for Ghost Bath, and as my mobile pictures of the show are beyond nasty, there isn’t anything to show about them on this review. You can still enjoy their music on BandCamp and on Spotify, like their 2021 album Self Loather, and I highly recommend seeing those guys live if you enjoy such a caustic type of Black Metal.

Band members
Nameless – vocals, guitars
Caleb Cheslock – guitars
Liam Frith – guitars
Josh Jaye – bass
Alec Martin – drums

Then after all that hassle to get to Toronto, the shitty traffic, the excruciating task of finding a parking spot, and so on, I was already getting very tired and ready to go back home to relax a little, but fortunately Austria’s own Post-Black Metal masters HARAKIRI FOR THE SKY hit the stage for the most electrifying performance of the night, waking me up and inspiring me to headbang and raise my horns nonstop to their fantastic music. Playing mostly songs from their 2021 album Mӕre and their newborn masterpiece Scorched Earth, the band led by frontman J.J. and guitarist M.S. kicked some serious ass on stage, investing all of their energy into each song played, and with minimal talk in between songs. I simply loved seeing them live for the first time, and songs like With Autumn I’ll Surrender, Without You I’m Just a Sad Song, Fire, Walk With Me, and Sing for the Damage We’ve Done (all available on Spotify) sounded flawless, superb and touching, and the reaction from every single person to their classy performance was a thing of beauty, which clearly indicated it won’t take long for one of the best bands of the current metal scene worldwide to return to Toronto soon.

Setlist
Keep Me Longing
With Autumn I’ll Surrender
Fire, Walk With Me
Without You I’m Just a Sad Song
Sing for the Damage We’ve Done
Calling the Rain

Band members
J.J. – vocals
M.S. – guitars
Marrok – guitars, backing vocals
P.G. – bass
Kerim “Krimh” Lechner – drums

SWALLOW THE SUN

The name of the band says it all. After a quick break, it was time for the darkest show of the night, courtesy of Finland’s Melodic Doom/Death Metal titans SWALLOW THE SUN, and it was indeed a dark, pensive, doomed and visceral concert. Vocalist Mikko Kotamaki and his henchmen were on fire during their entire set, blending their old material with their newest albums Moonflowers (2021) and Shining (2024), with the sequence of Woven Into Sorrow, Charcoal Sky, MelancHoly, New Moon and Night Will Forgive Us sounding and feeling as heavy and obscure as possible. The encore was just as doomed, with November Dust and Swallow (Horror, Part 1), and their diehard fans were having an amazing time with their scorching riffs, pounding drums and visceral energy. It was a somewhat late show for most of us, but in the end it was a fantastic night of contemporary heavy music, and I’ll surely be there anytime Swallow The Sun are back in town with their undisputed doom.

Setlist
Velvet Chains
Innocence Was Long Forgotten
What I Have Become
Firelights
Under the Moon & Sun
Woven Into Sorrow
Charcoal Sky
New Moon
MelancHoly
Night Will Forgive Us
Plague of Butterflies: Pt. I: Losing the Sunsets

Encore:
November Dust
Swallow (Horror, Part 1)

Band members
Mikko Kotamaki – vocals
Juha Raivio – guitars, keyboards
Juho Raiha – guitars
Matti Honkonen – bass
Juuso Raatkainen – drums

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Album Review – Christ Dismembered / Ov Vampiricy (2025)

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An infernal Black Metal horde from Down Under is ready to ride out into the world once more, bringing with them the heretical gospel that is their sophomore opus.

A tolling bell, a howling wind and chants of dire imprecation announce the return of Black Metal horde Christ Dismembered, Australia’s chief advocates of apostasy and servants of the beast. Forged in the fires of the city of Millicent, South Australia in 2012, the band now formed of Arch Worm on vocals and guitars, Doomsayer on lead guitars, Winter Demon on rhythm guitars, Skorpa on bass, and Plague on drums is ready to ride out into the world once more, bringing with them the heretical gospel that is Ov Vampiricy, the follow-up to their 2017 self-titled debut, their second full-length album of blood hungry Black Metal in their crusade against the light, being tailored for admirers of the music by Nifelheim, Immortal, Dark Funeral and Behexen, among many others.

The howling winds of evil will embrace you in the album’s intro, taking you on a one-way journey to the underworld in Fool’s Gambit, already offering a vibrant fusion of Melodic Black Metal with old school Black Metal, with Plague sounding simply infernal on drums for our total delight. Then the strident riffage by Doomsayer and Winter Demon will mercilessly pierce your damned minds in Mother of Demons, a lecture in Black Metal by the quintet exhaling pure hatred and obscurity, followed by The Numbers Oppose You, offering an extra dosage of sulfurous Black Metal with Arch Worm gnarling like a demonic entity; and there’s no sign of slowing down nor anything like that, as it’s pedal to the metal in an ode to all things Black Metal titled Under the Cross, perfect for some blasphemous action inside the pit.

After that, we have the atmospheric interlude The Banishment, the calm before the storm as this Australian horde will crush your putrid souls in A Ritual Most Foul, where Plague dictates the song’s pace with his intricate yet demolishing blast beats, keeping the album at a high level of blasphemy. Sorcerer of Nazareth is a pure old school Black Metal extravaganza showcasing all the passion for the dark arts by the band, followed by Child Devouring Servants of Satan, one of the most infernal of all tracks of the album, with Doomsayer and Winter Demon stealing the show with their flammable riffage. Their second to last offering from the pits of the netherworld, entitled See You In Hell, showcases another vicious gnarling attack by Arch Worm, whereas last but definitely not least, this horde from Down Under will burn your frail bodies to the sound of the fiery Riddled With Sin, with Skorpa and Plague making the earth tremble with their beyond venomous and rumbling kitchen.

The children of the night will be unbound and their infernal music will echo through the darkness once more to the sound of Ov Vampiricy, and you can join such an amazing horde from Down Under by following them on Facebook and on Instagram, by streaming their vile creations on YouTube and on Spotify, and of course by purchasing a copy of their impious new album from their own BandCamp page or webstore, as well as from MSH Music Group. After all is said and done, simply open your ears to the cries of the children of the night, open your arms to their embrace to the sound of their blasphemous and vile new opus, or grip your crucifix in shaking hands and weep, because Christ Dismembered will take no prisoners in their quest for old school Black Metal armed with their excellent new offering.

Best moments of the album: Mother of Demons, Under the Cross and Child Devouring Servants of Satan.

Worst moments of the album: A Ritual Most Foul.

Released in 2025 Independent

Track listing
1. Intro 1:45
2. Fool’s Gambit 5:21
3. Mother of Demons 4:15
4. The Numbers Oppose You 4:12
5. Under the Cross 4:34
6. The Banishment 2:30
7. A Ritual Most Foul 4:27
8. Sorcerer of Nazareth 6:29
9. Child Devouring Servants of Satan 4:33
10. See You In Hell 5:54
11. Riddled With Sin 5:13

Band members
Arch Worm – vocals, guitars
Doomsayer – lead guitars
Winter Demon – rhythm guitars
Skorpa – bass
Plague – drums

Album Review – Matalobos / Phantasmagoria: Hexed Lands (2025)

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This uncanny entity will attack your senses with their dreadful fusion of Mexican folklore and Melodic Death and Doom Metal, painting a vivid picture of the darker side of Mexican mythology.

Emerging from the vibrant Mexican metal scene, Matalobos are a dreadful fusion of Mexican folklore and Melodic Death and Doom Metal that takes you on an unforgettable musical journey through the haunting legends of their hometown, Guanajuato, telling profound and evocative stories through their unique blend of extreme music. Now in 2025, the band formed of Dante Méndez on vocals, Eduardo Santamaría and Germán Nieto on the guitars, and Clemente Escalona on drums, supported by session musician Iván Moreno on bass, is unleashing upon us their third full-length effort, titled Phantasmagoria: Hexed Lands, offering an immersive dive into Mexican folklore, blending melancholic atmospheres with crushing doom elements to create a powerful and evocative sound. Recorded, produced and mixed by Rubén Sánchez at Urvn Studio in León, Mexico, with mastering by Jari Lindholm, the album beautifully captures the spectral and tragic tales embedded in Mexico’s mythological past.

As soon as you hit play, the intro Panoramica will drag you to the band’s realm of legends and darkness in This Mortal Music, starting in an imposing, atmospheric manner before Dante begins roaring like a beast supported by the brutality blasted by Clemente on drums, exhaling pure doom and setting the tone for Purgatory Blessing, offering a huge dosage of clean vocals, which are not bad but take away some of the song’s energy and punch. Back to a much darker, heavier sonority thanks to the sluggish beats by Clemente and the piercing guitars by Eduardo and Germán, we have Below the Dam, and the skies will get even darker and the ambience more pensive and grim in Hatred of Kin, overflowing despair and obscurity spearheaded by another visceral vocal performance by Dante.

The second half of the album begins with the charming yet venomous Hasta el viento tiene miedo, which is Spanish for “even the wind is afraid”, an instrumental tune that shows a more introspective side of the band; and Matalobos come crushing our damned souls again in Where Witches Gather, alternating between sheer heaviness and more melodic passages, all spiced up by the minimalist riffs by Eduardo and Germán. Then again they offer a more melancholic sound with The Alley, where the clean vocals by Dante feel a lot stronger and more penetrating, exploding into pure Doom Metal the likes of My Dying Bride and Paradise Lost, all boosted by a mysterious saxophone, bringing even more melancholy to the music. In Carmen Buried Alive the band blasts their most damned, devilish and hammering sonority of the whole album, a lecture in Doom Metal led by the sluggish, ruthless drums by Clemente, before we face House of Laments, another solid, in-your-face display of Blackened Doom Metal where the eerie vocalizations by Dante will haunt your putrid souls for all eternity.

Resonating with fans of Opeth, Novembre, and Swallow the Sun, the sound by Matalobos is defined by its haunting beauty and depth, offering listeners an unforgettable exploration of despair, mythology, and the human experience, exactly like what’s presented by those Mexican metallers in their newborn spawn. Having said that, don’t forget to give Matalobos a shout on Facebook and on Instagram, to subscribe to their YouTube channel and to stream their music on Spotify, and of course to purchase Phantasmagoria: Hexed Lands from BandCamp, from Concreto Records, or by clicking HERE. Painting a vivid picture of the darker side of Mexican mythology, Phantasmagoria: Hexed Lands is definitely the band’s strongest album to date, not only  cementing their name in the Mexican scene, but also spreading their dark, doomed wings all over the world.

Best moments of the album: This Mortal Music, Below the Dam and Carmen Buried Alive.

Worst moments of the album: Purgatory Blessing.

Released in 2025 Concreto Records

Track listing
1. Panoramica 0:32
2. This Mortal Music 5:50
3. Purgatory Blessing 6:32
4. Below the Dam 7:00
5. Hatred of Kin 7:07
6. Hasta el viento tiene miedo 3:39
7. Where Witches Gather 6:12
8. The Alley 4:12
9. Carmen Buried Alive 6:50
10. House of Laments 7:17

Band members
Dante Méndez – vocals
Eduardo Santamaría – guitars
Germán Nieto – guitars
Clemente Escalona – drums

Guest musicians
Iván Moreno – bass (session)

Album Review – Across the Swarm / Invisible Threads (2025)

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Get ready for a sonic onslaught that delves into the darkest depths of existence in the form of first-class Death Metal made in Italy.

Labeling their style as “Shove Metal”, Bologna, Italy-based Death Metal outfit Across The Swarm has been unleashing their fury in concerts, festivals, and tours across Italy and Europe since their inception in 2013, culminating in 2025 with the release of their sophomore full-length opus, titled Invisible Threads. Recorded at Art Distillery Studios, mixed and mastered at SPVN Studios, and displaying a sinister artwork by SNEM, the new album by vocalist Francesco A. Flagiello, guitarists Marco Lambertini and Luca Sammartino, bassist Mirco Diana and drummer Davide Tomadini is a sonic onslaught that delves into the darkest depths of existence, exploring human degradation, unspoken fears, and wars that ravage both bodies and minds, a fierce manifestation of Death Metal that pummels the listener with an unrelenting impact from the first track to the last recommended for fans of Misery Index, Decapitated, Meshuggah, Dying Fetus, Cannibal Corpse, Lamb of God, Voivod and Carcass.

The rumbling, cinematic intro Intravenous will open the gates of hell for Across the Swarm to crush our frail bodies in Vertebrae, a demented display of classic Death Metal where Francesco sounds infernal on vocals, as well as Davide with his inhumane drumming. Every Day Is Like A Stab In The Chest offers our putrid ears three minutes of brutality and rage with the guitars by Marco and Luca sounding truly acid, and in Nothing Left they keep hammering our souls with their undisputed Death Metal and psychological lyrics (“I can’t live anymore, don’t you see? / Don’t pretend you didn’t see / Right in front of your eyes / They are crawling under the collapsed walls / Scrap iron, destroyed buildings / Pulling out their mutilated children”). Following such violent tune, the metallic bass by Mirco will punch you in the head in the best Groove Metal style in Red Waters, perfect for some wild Corpsegrinder-inspired headbanging.

The band shows no sign of slowing down at all; quite the contrary, they deliver a beyond bestial tune titled Scava Veloce, led by the massive drums by Davide and the always deep guttural by Francesco. It looks like they have mastered the art of crafting three-minute Death Metal attacks, and Dry Eyes couldn’t have been any different. Then Davide keeps pounding his drums mercilessly in Liquefy, offering another very good reason for us all to dive into the mosh pit; whereas Until You Bleed, the second to last song of the album, sounds just as infernal and visceral, living up to the legacy of classic Death Metal, not to mention how demonic the growling by Francesco sounds. Finally, the album ends with the pulverizing title-track Invisible Threads, where Marco and Luca sound ruthless armed with their stringed axes in a lecture in modern-day Death Metal by those Italian bastards.

“We wanted to capture the essence of the shadows that dwell within each of us,” explains frontman Francesco. “The composition of Invisible Threads was a brutal and visceral process. Every note, every word is an invisible thread connecting these shadows to the reality around us. Additionally, SNEM was fully involved in the creative process, visually translating the album’s concept into artwork that amplifies and reflects both the music and the lyrics. This album is an invitation to confront your innermost self and dive deep, all the way to the bottom.” After such beautiful words, if you have what it takes to face the band’s undisputed brutality, go check what they’re up to on Facebook and on Instagram, subscribe to their YouTube channel, stream their sick creations on Spotify, and purchase the venomous Invisible Threads from BandCamp or from Time To Kill Records, diving into the darkest depths of our putrid existence together with one of the most promising names of the Italian extreme music scene.

Best moments of the album: Vertebrae, Red Waters and Invisible Threads.

Worst moments of the album: Liquefy.

Released in 2025 Time To Kill Records

Track listing
1. Intravenous 0:52
2. Vertebrae 3:19
3. Every Day Is Like A Stab In The Chest 3:15
4. Nothing Left 3:34
5. Red Waters 4:12
6. Scava Veloce 3:52
7. Dry Eyes 3:13
8. Liquefy 3:10
9. Until You Bleed 4:07
10. Invisible Threads 4:12

Band members
Francesco A. Flagiello – vocals
Marco Lambertini – guitars
Luca Sammartino – guitars
Mirco Diana – bass
Davide Tomadini – drums

Album Review – Greyember / Blooming in Antarctica EP (2025)

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This talented Australian freelance music and video creator strikes with a three-track extreme music EP that explores some of life’s harshest realities.

Hailing from the beautiful city of Melbourne, the coastal capital of the southeastern Australian state of Victoria, Greyember is the Progressive/Blackened Death Metal alter-ego of metal and dark alternative themes freelance music and video creator Richard Grimm, also known for his contributions to the bands Dracorex, Bentham’s Head, and Dreamworm. Produced, mixed and mastered at Big Vibe Creative, Blooming in Antarctica is the debut EP by Richard and his Greyember, a three-track offering that explores some of life’s harshest realities, from existential fears about climate change to his personal struggles with mental health and identity, all through the lens of metal, while also featuring incredible guest contributions from Richard White (Grim Demise) and Nikki Harrison aka Luna Starchild (With Witch).

Featuring guest vocalist Luna Starchild, Richard delivers an overdose of harsh riffs, deep guttural roars in paradox with Luna’s melodic clean vocals in Reflections, resulting in a killer Blackened Death Metal beast. Then we have the massive title-track Blooming in Antarctica, with guest vocals by Richard White, drawing inspiration from the stark reality of flowers now growing in Antarctica, a harbinger of the climate crisis and its devastating implications (“There is a debt, that we’ve burned through the century / the carbon reaper set free / Consuming all, driving life to extinction / a thriving land now devoid / it will consume, arctic surfaces break down / transforming glaciers to brine / Our heaving lungs choking down poison fumigation / 1 million tonnes to exhaust”). Musically speaking, it reminds me of some of the most recent tunes by Behemoth, which is obviously a good thing. And lastly, Richard transpires darkness and insanity in madness., transforming his inner demons into a fusion of Black and Death Metal through his classic beats, caustic riffs and a beyond grim atmosphere.

Blooming in Antarctica is already available in full on all streaming platforms including YouTube and Spotify, but of course if you want to show Richard your utmost support you can purchase a copy of the album from BandCamp, and don’t forget to also give Richard a shout on Facebook and on Instagram, or simply click HERE for more details on all of his bands and projects. As mentioned by Richard himself in the description of his official video for the title-track, our world is dying and a small handful of people are responsible for it, people with names and addresses, and we must do something to avoid the terrible fate that lurks in the shadows and waits for us all in a not-so-distant future. Let’s spread the music by Greyember all over the world, inspiring other musicians like Richard to fight for our planet, and metalheads like us to use our powerful music to make a positive change in our decaying society.

Best moments of the album: Blooming in Antarctica.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Independent

Track listing
1. Reflections 4:08
2. Blooming in Antarctica 5:40
3. madness. 4:20

Band members
Richard Grimm – vocals, all instruments

Guest musicians
Nikki Harrison – vocals on “Reflections”
Richard White – vocals on “Blooming in Antarctica”

Concert Review – Decapitated (The Phoenix Concert Theatre, Toronto, ON, 02/13/2025)

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It doesn’t matter how much snow there is in Toronto, the metalheads in the city will always be there for a night of sheer violence with bands like Decapitated and Incantation.

OPENING ACTS: Exmortus, Darkest Hour and Incantation

After the massive snow storm that hit the city of Toronto and most of the province on Ontario from Wednesday night until Thursday morning, bringing an endless amount of snow to the streets and, therefore, turning any commute into a true nightmare, I thought all roads would be clear Thursday evening when Keith Ibbitson of Metal Paparazzi and I headed to The Phoenix Concert Theatre for a night of sheer brutality offered by EXMORTUS, DARKEST HOUR, INCANTATION and DECAPITATED during their Nihility Across North America Tour 2025, another killer event brought to the city by Noel Peters of Inertia Entertainment. Unfortunately, my predictions about the roads being clear of snow were wrong (although I was right about traffic being light that evening due to people staying home instead of going to work that day), and Toronto was still a huge freakin’ mess when I got to the show, but in the end no one seemed to care about the gargantuan snow banks blocking every single sidewalk and some streets, as the crowd at the venue was really good for a night when the best thing to do was staying home.

Less than half an hour after the doors opened, Whittier, California’s own Technical Thrash/Death Metal beast EXMORTUS kicked off the festivities with a frantic, very technical and absolutely fun performance, igniting some of the coolest and wildest circle pits of the entire night. Spearheaded by the talented vocalist and guitarist Jadran “Conan” Gonzalez, the band played a short but powerful set including songs form their latest opus Necrophony, available by the way on Spotify, and the reaction form the fans already at the venue was superb. Those guys are simply amazing live, playing all songs to perfection, and I guess it won’t take long for Torontonians to see them again in the city, and hopefully next time they’ll be the headliners and play a full set for our total delight.

Setlist
Oathbreaker
Feast of Flesh
Storm of Strings
Warrior of the Night
Let Us Roam
Metal Is King

Band members
Jadran “Conan” Gonzalez – vocals, guitars
Chase Becker – guitars
Brice Snyder – bass
Adrian Aguilar – drums

After a very short break, Washington, D.C.-based Melodic Death Metal/Metalcore act DARKEST HOUR hit the sage at the Phoenix Concert Theatre for a very energetic show, thanks in part to the breathtaking performances by guitarists Mike Schleibaum and Nico Santora, who didn’t stop shredding their axes, headbanging, running and jumping around the stage, not even for a single second. Currently promoting their 2024 album Perpetual | Terminal, available on both BandCamp and on Spotify, the quintet was eager to get more action from the crowd, which seemed a bit tired most probably due to an entire day of shoveling and braving snow banks across the city. That doesn’t mean we didn’t get some sick mosh pits during their show, and of course every single time frontman John Henry asked people to move inside the pit, he was promptly answered with some nice action by the crowd.

Setlist
Societal Bile
The Sadist Nation
Stand and Receive Your Judgment
The Flesh & The Flowers of Death
Rapture in Exile
Doomsayer (The Beginning of the End)
Tranquil
Amor Fati
Convalescence
With a Thousand Words to Say but One
Goddess of War, Give Me Something to Die For

Band members
John Henry – vocals
Mike Schleibaum – guitars
Nico Santora – guitars
Aaron Deal – bass
Travis Orbin – drums

I guess fans were also saving some energy for the ruthless performance by Johnstown, Pennsylvania’s own Death Metal veterans INCANTATION, who after a considerable delay started playing their 1994 cult album Mortal Throne Of Nazarene in full, just like in all other stops from their current tour. And let me tell you, the live rendition of such a classic album of Death Metal with Doom Metal influences sounded utterly evil, heavy and demented onstage, with the bass by Chuck Sherwood making our heads tremble during their entire show. The iconic John McEntee sounded as infernal as usual on vocals, inspiring us all for some brutal headbanging and, therefore, reminding us all why Incantation have been a staple of the extreme music scene worldwide for so many decades. It was just my second time seeing those guys live, and hopefully not the last one, as I’m sure Incantation love Toronto as much as we love their music.

Setlist
Mortal Throne of Nazarene
Demonic Incarnate
Emaciated Holy Figure
Iconoclasm of Catholicism
Essence Ablaze
Nocturnal Dominium
The Ibex Moon
Blissful Bloodshower
Abolishment of Immaculate Serenity

Band members
John McEntee – vocals, guitars
Luke Shively – guitars
Chuck Sherwood – bass
Kyle Severn – drums

DECAPITATED

Last but not least, it was time to turn up the volume to 11 with the infuriated performance by the main band of the night, Poland’s unrelenting Technical Death/Groove Metal horde DECAPITATED, and when I say it was loud, it’s because it was LOUD. Performing their 2002 classic album Nihility in full, plus a few other songs as part of the encore, the band now fronted by vocalist Eemeli Bodde (who by the way contributed vocals for the track “Flooding Secrations”, performed by a fictional band called Impaled Rektum from the 2018 Finnish movie Heavy Trip), Decapitated crushed our damn minds, souls and bodies with endless heaviness and violence, inspiring all mosh pit lovers to have a very good time inside the hurricane formed in the middle of the floor section. My only complaint is that the show started late, after 10pm, and some fans had to leave before the end because they had to take public transportation home, or simply because they were absolutely tired. As I said, the snow storm drained a lot of our energy during the day, but of course there’s always some left when the band in question is as infernal and vibrant as Decapitated.

Setlist
Nihility
Perfect Dehumanisation (The Answer?)
Eternity Too Short
Mother War
Nihility (Anti-Human Manifesto)
Names
Spheres of Madness
Babylon’s Pride
Symmetry of Zero
Suffer the Children (Napalm Death cover)

Encore:
From the Nothingness With Love
Cancer Culture
Kill the Cult
Hello Death
Iconoclast

Band members
Eemeli Bodde – vocals
Wacław Vogg Kiełtyka – guitars
Paweł Pavlo Pasek – bass
James Stewart – drums

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Album Review – Warlung / The Poison Touch (2025)

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This talented Texan foursome is back in action with their fifth full-length album, turning all levels further and bursting with contagious energy through its supercharged eight tracks.

Founded in 2016 when former members of the bands The Dead Revolt and Rivers joined forces to push the limits of song writing and creativity, Houston, Texas-based Occult Rock/Stoner/Doom Metal beast Warlung is back with fifth studio album, titled The Poison Touch, the follow-up to their 2022 album Vulture’s Paradise, delving deeper into atmosphere while maintaining the gritty undertone that defines their sound. Recorded by Andrew Jacob Rodriguez at King Benny’s House of Sound, mixed and mastered by Travis Weatherred, and displaying a classic artwork by Laura Bennett, the new opus by George Baba on vocals, guitar and keyboards, Philip Bennett on vocals and guitar, Chris Tamez on bass, and Ethan Tamez on drums sees the Texan foursome turn all levels further and burst with contagious energy through the album’s supercharged eight tracks, delivering the exact dose of evil and epic stories you need to enter the winter, being therefore recommended for fans of Black Sabbath, Rainbow, Green Lung and Ghost, among other rock and metal heavyweights.

The band comes ripping in full force in the high-octane, rockin’ tune Digital Smoke, led by the striking vocal attack by both George and Philip, therefore starting the album on a majestic note. Then investing in a Southern Rock-infused sonority it’s time for their guitars to strike us hard in White Light Seeker, a classy and smooth composition by those American rockers, followed by the atmospheric interlude Mourning Devils, perfectly warming us up for Spell Speaker, which starts with the metallic bass by Chris inspiring us all for some good old headbanging, supported by the classic beats by Ethan, quickly joined by the melodious riffs and solos by George and Philip, flowing majestically through its almost nine minutes and sounding very Black Sabbath-ish for our vulgar delectation.

They continue to blast our ears with their melodic fusion of Stoner Metal with Occult Rock in Holy Guide, with the background keys by George giving the whole song a welcome haunting vibe in the vein of Ghost. It’s time to hit the road alongside Warlung in the Rock N’ Roll-fueled tune Rat Bastard, again showcasing their passion for heavy music with a sensational performance by George and Philip on the guitars, not to mention how groovy the bass by Chris sounds and feels. The quartet then offers the decent ballad The Sleeping Prophet, overflowing melancholy before we’re treated to 29th Scroll, 6th Verse, bringing forward one last explosion of Occult Rock infused with Sludge Metal nuances, with Ethan pounding his drums mercilessly until the very end.

From start to finish, the listener will be blasted with in-your-face, hard-rocking energy while simultaneously embracing a hauntingly beautiful experience while the band keeps exploring new realms, serving as both a continuation and evolution of their occult-laden style inspired by the 70’s era of rock and psychedelia. Hence, don’t forget to give those talented Texans a shout on Facebook and on Instagram, to stream their awesome discography in full on several streaming services like Spotify, and of course to purchase a copy of their newborn rockin’ opus from the Heavy Psych Sounds Records’ BandCamp or webstore (also available in the United States). Warlung bring it throughout their entire new album, paying homage to the past of Rock N’ Roll while at the same time always marching forward, leaving us eager for more of their fusion of rock, doom and the occult in the near future.

Best moments of the album: Digital Smoke, Spell Speaker and Rat Bastard.

Worst moments of the album: The Sleeping Prophet.

Released in 2025 Heavy Psych Sounds Records

Track listing
1. Digital Smoke 4:28
2. White Light Seeker 5:22
3. Mourning Devils 1:36
4. Spell Speaker 8:44
5. Holy Guide 3:48
6. Rat Bastard 4:03
7. The Sleeping Prophet 3:48
8. 29th Scroll, 6th Verse 4:36

Band members
George Baba – vocals, guitar, keyboards
Philip Bennett – vocals, guitar
Chris Tamez – bass
Ethan Tamez – drums