mementomori

 "Mad Messiah represents a more self-aware and better-crafted product, shedding the Vampirello costume to return to his youthful passions."

 "Needless to say, it’s a mandatory purchase for fans of Death SS, Paul Chain, and all that sensational parade that represented the New Wave of Italian Heavy Metal!"

Mad Messiah marks the evolved continuation of Steve Sylvester's solo work, blending doom riffs, hard rock, and dark progressive influences from the 1970s. While it lacks the surprise of its predecessor Free Man, the album offers professional production and solid musicianship. Strong guitar work and unique cover selections highlight Sylvester's deep underground and countercultural inspirations, making it essential for fans of Death SS and Italian heavy metal. The album strikes a nostalgic yet powerful tone with classic metal charisma. Discover the classic doom and hard rock fusion in Steve Sylvester's Mad Messiah—listen now and immerse yourself in Italian heavy metal history!

 "Judd's inspired vocal performance is one of these aspects, also aided by a production that places his infernal howl at the center of everything."

 "If it really had been a posthumous album, all this would have made more sense, and our evaluation would have been more lenient, highlighting on one hand the undeniable sincerity that permeates many passages."

The review assesses Nachtmystium's 'The World We Left Behind' as a mixed album marked by Blake Judd's inspired vocals but hampered by unmotivated band members and overly clean production. While it offers moments of strong riffs and melodies, the album lacks consistency and impact compared to previous works. The review notes personal and legal troubles affecting the band's trajectory and emphasizes the need for motivated collaborators in the future. Overall, a sincere but uneven effort in the black metal sphere. Explore Nachtmystium’s latest album and discover the highs and lows of this pivotal release!

 “Pale Communion, with some 'ifs' and several 'buts', is a very good album.”

 “Ultimately, stronger from a greater internal cohesion, and under Wilson’s shrewd direction, Opeth sign an engaging chapter of neo-prog.”

Pale Communion marks a significant neo-progressive shift for Opeth, led by Mikael Akerfeldt's evolving vision. Although the album sacrifices some past metal elements and band cohesion, it offers a rich, nuanced sound with impressive performances, especially from drummer Martin Axenrot, and masterful production by Steven Wilson. Despite initial frustrations, the album grows into a compelling work that suggests a promising future for the band beyond their traditional metal roots. Dive into Opeth's Pale Communion and discover the rich layers of their bold neo-prog transformation now!

 From a certain point on, that endless chain of passages ceases to be something horrifically senseless, and forms and structures and a meaningful discourse will start to emerge from the chaos.

 Diotima is a work that will surely delight the boldest enthusiasts of US Black Metal.

Krallice's third album Diotima refines their blend of black metal with intricate, technical musicianship. The album stands out with its deep growling vocals, complex rhythms, and lengthy compositions. Though challenging and cerebral, repeated listens reveal a meaningful structure and emotional depth. This work is a rewarding experience for daring listeners seeking innovation in extreme metal. It balances intense fury with occasional melodic moments and an unmistakable artistic vision. Dive into Krallice's Diotima and experience a challenging yet rewarding journey through innovative black metal.

 An operation that hits the target perfectly if the aim was to outline destabilizing scenarios that generate uncertainty and feelings of anxiety in the listener.

 The evolutionary significance of 'Betimes Black Cloudmasses' lies entirely within the bounds of the Extreme and not, paradoxically, in the cultured drawing rooms of free-jazz.

Æthenor's 'Betimes Black Cloudmasses' delivers a cerebral and immersive journey through dark-ambient and free-jazz territories. Featuring international collaborators including Stephen O'Malley and Krystoffer Rygg, the album thrives on improvisation and complex percussion rhythms. It evokes unsettling, meditative atmospheres reminiscent of classic psychedelic influences, pushing beyond metal or rock into an extreme experimental realm. Best enjoyed in small doses, it offers a unique exploration of the darker side of avant-garde music. Dive into Æthenor's dark and immersive sonic world—listen to Betimes Black Cloudmasses today and experience avant-garde music like never before.

 "Celestite sounds 100% Wolves in the Throne Room: what emerges is that subcutaneous component... now unfolds in all its titanic splendor."

 "This music has something unsettling, and it is the unease felt in the face of absolutely ‘Other’ dynamics, completely alien to Man."

Celestite, the latest instrumental album from Wolves in the Throne Room, pushes the boundaries of black metal with cosmic and drone influences. The album crafts immersive soundscapes inspired by kosmische musik and progressive rock, with lush vintage analog synths and subtle black metal echoes. Produced by Randall Dunn, Celestite offers a cinematic and spiritual journey beyond traditional metal. Despite lacking vocals and typical metal aggression, the album stays true to the band's evolving artistic vision. Dive into Celestite and experience Wolves in the Throne Room's epic cosmic soundscapes today!

 "Benji is a parade of poignant snapshots drawn from Kozelek's album of memories."

 "The album forcefully contends for the coveted title of album of the year."

Sun Kil Moon's 'Benji' stands out as a deeply introspective and emotional indie-folk album. Mark Kozelek uses minimal instrumentation to explore themes of life, death, and memory through vivid American imagery. The album balances melancholic moods with moments of melodic brightness, supported by contributions from Will Oldham and Steve Shelley. It is praised as a significant, mature work that could be considered album of the year. Dive into Sun Kil Moon's 'Benji' to experience heartfelt storytelling and timeless indie-folk melodies.

 Bécs remains a great work in itself, embracing very different moods, much like the colorful cover suggests.

 Bécs is a sum of an entire career; a kaleidoscope capable of embracing very different moods.

Fennesz’s Bécs is a vibrant and emotional album that successfully blends post-rock guitar with electronic textures. Positioned between his earlier albums Venice and Black Sea, it avoids merely repeating past successes by offering a kaleidoscope of moods and rich soundscapes. The album balances brightness and darkness through varied tracks and includes strong collaborations that enrich its sound. Bécs showcases Fennesz’s evolution while maintaining his unique aesthetic. Dive into Fennesz’s Bécs and experience the emotional fusion of guitar and electronic soundscapes today!

 The music produced here is of great and undeniable charm, and it will be a pleasure to make it interact with your eardrums while, rushing along the sizzling asphalt of the endless highway.

 If anyone like me was looking for a pure, orthodox manifestation of the genre, they will come across a work that... embraces a broader and more complex vision of 'desert music.'

The album 'A Fistful of Desert Blues' by Lydia Lunch and Cypress Grove offers a richly textured desert blues experience with southern and psychedelic influences. Though it deviates from strict genre orthodoxy, it showcases strong collaboration, atmospheric guitar work, and evocative vocals. The record balances dreamy, crepuscular ballads with more energetic tracks, culminating in a varied yet cohesive journey. Despite some polished production that may lessen rawness, the album remains a compelling listen for road trips and fans of evocative blues music. Dive into 'A Fistful of Desert Blues' and experience a captivating blend of desert blues and psychedelic soundscapes today!

 If Slayer is a machine made to secrete violence, to hurt you, Obituary live is a machine to make you enjoy.

 Obituary taught us tonight that death metal is not just about merciless beating but also inventiveness, irrationality, pursuit and development of ideas and visions.

The review covers Obituary’s intimate 2014 live performance in Italy, highlighting the band’s raw passion, solid musicianship, and old-school death metal roots. The author praises the perfect sound and atmosphere, emphasizing the unique structure of Obituary’s songs and the band’s connection with fans. The setlist features material mostly from their early classic albums, delivered with impressive energy and precision. The performance is portrayed as a memorable, almost mystical experience for fans of extreme metal. Dive into the raw power of Obituary’s live 2014 show—experience old-school death metal at its finest now!