Grunt

 This independence does not seem to benefit the Dutch band's musical offering.

 Despite being performed by highly skilled artists, potential from which greater inspiration and cohesion are expected, not always up to par.

Soulburn's Earthless Pagan Spirit, despite showcasing skilled musicianship and strong influences from Bathory and Celtic Frost, ultimately disappoints with inconsistent songwriting and awkward stylistic choices. The album begins promisingly with notable doom metal passages but declines in quality mid-album. Technical prowess is evident, yet the overall cohesion and inspiration fall short of expectations set by the band's previous work. Discover the highs and lows of Soulburn's Earthless Pagan Spirit—listen and decide if this metal fusion suits your taste.

 The powerful guitar parts immerse us in a sabbatical ritual atmosphere, already evident from the composition titles, thunderously satanic in flavor.

 The secret weapon is Shanda Fredrick, a female singer, uncommon in the metal scene, whose robust and evocative voice muddies the entire work in a gloomy way.

The Hundredth Name is Demon Lung's 2013 debut full-length album, delivering a traditional and massive doom metal sound enriched by Shanda Fredrick's powerful vocals. The album shines particularly in its first half with ritualistic and satanic atmospheres, supported by strong production. Though the second half shows influences from doom legends and less originality, the band's effort to bring a personal touch to a challenging genre is commendable. Their next work promises further evolution toward complex soundscapes. Discover Demon Lung's The Hundredth Name and dive into a powerful journey through timeless doom metal rituals.

 "Distant in Solitary Night" represents the summary of Harris's cherished vision, quite uniform from the point of view of the musical proposal, but in its own way coherent and consciously an epigone of the Norwegian scene.

 The platter closes with what is perhaps the pinnacle of the entire Judas Iscariot production, namely "Portions of eternity too great for the eye of man," an outro with repetitive and hypnotic progression.

Judas Iscariot's 1999 album 'Distant in Solitary Night' is a seminal US black metal release by one-man band Akhenaten. It channels the early Norwegian scene's atmospheric and repetitive style with raw lo-fi production and philosophical, anti-Christian lyricism. While opinions vary between praise and criticism of monotony, the album remains influential in shaping American black metal. The record balances slow, brooding riffs and hypnotic progressions and marks a significant point in Akhenaten's career. Discover the raw essence of US black metal—listen to Judas Iscariot's 'Distant in Solitary Night' and explore its atmospheric depths now!

 We are not facing triumphant and gaudy satanism or icy guitar slashes, but rather a sound that transports the listener into the mud of a swamp where one sinks slowly, almost without noticing.

 Varathron skillfully blend different elements, such as an unusual yet expressive drum machine and song structures supported by cadenced and wicked riffs, making the album an essential step for those who wish to approach a 'Mediterranean' black that is completely 'other' compared to the admittedly good, but often 'obvious,' Scandinavian frozen soup.

Varathron's 'His Majesty at the Swamp' offers a distinct alternative to the Nordic black metal scene, emphasizing atmospheric, hypnotic, and doom-influenced sounds. The album highlights the unique qualities of the Greek black metal scene, characterized by slower tempos and a muddy, Lovecraftian atmosphere. Varathron blend various influences such as Black Sabbath, Morbid Angel, and Saint Vitus to create a captivating listening experience. Though the production is not flawless, it effectively enhances the album's immersive and occult vibe. Explore Varathron's atmospheric black metal and dive into the unique Mediterranean soundscape of 'His Majesty at the Swamp.'