Hemelbestormer - The Radiant Veil (Pelagic Records) [Matt Bladen]
If I was still in a band the festival I'd like to play most would be PelagicFest, as a singer it would be the easiest gig ever, owing to the fact that nearly every band on Pelagic Records favours being mostly instrumental. It's all post-rock, post-metal, shoegazing with some doom and psych thrown in for good measure meaning that vocalists get an easy ride.Take, The Radiant Veil by Belgian band Hemelbestormer, the first vocals of the whole of this fourth record come halfway through the second song for a chorus or two and then disappear again back into the astral doomgazing inspired by the planets as they were named by the Etruscans (Pre Roman culture in Italy). For over 10 years this Belgian four piece have been creating the type of music, Pelagic is known for, expansive, expressive and enticing, music with purity that plays with genre troupes through intent and commitment to creating soundscapes that shift seismically, as if extreme metal bands decided to ease off the accelerator but remain devoted to distorted riffage, there's an aggression to these broad ambient atmospheres.
A track such as Cel, the second one with any vocals on it and here we have scarred, shouted black metal delivery on top of waves of heavy riffing, counterpointed by pips of synths beneath the thick wall of noise. Laran keeps the analogue synths very much an important element, imbuing the track with a cosmic eeriness, embracing the emptiness of space. With these forays into the extreme, such as the brooding, cavernous, ominous drive of Satre it's no wonder that they have shared stages with and been compared to Neurosis, Russian Circles and Caspian, Philip Jamieson of that band featuring on Turms, providing that clean voice I mentioned earlier.
The soundtrack to an unreleased sci-fi horror, these are ruminations from the depths of space, The Radiant Veil of civilizations past, examined by musical futurism. 9/10
Phobetor – A Solitary Vigil (Black Jasper Records) [Spike]UK’s Phobetor return from a four-year silence with A Solitary Vigil, a five-track EP that burrows deep into the blackened death metal abyss. With the addition of Ben Ash (Strigoi, ex-Satyricon) on guitar, the band sounds sharper, more dynamic, and fully committed to darkness.
The title track opens the gate with three minutes of ritualistic tremolo leads, snapping drums, and Debora Conserva’s voice lashing out like a banshee. It sets the tone with cold precision: brooding, intense, and dripping with menace. Absence Of Light follows with unrelenting pace. Thunderous percussion and angular riffing smother the atmosphere, while subtle melodic touches bleed through the chaos. It’s sharp, driving, and immersive, with the kind of eerie resolve that lingers long after the track ends.
Black Fading Winter packs a condensed punch, it’s grim and unflinching, it lashes forward with ice-edged riffs and subterranean bass. “The Vacant Worlds Within Us” stretches out, pairing death metal brutality with moments of almost melodic dissonance. There’s a push-and-pull tension here, the band flirting with atmosphere without ever losing aggression. Where Mournful Shadows Dwell is the standout. A doomy intro gives way to raw blast-beats, melodic phrases haunt the periphery, and the track’s dynamic arc feels like a funeral procession erupting into violence. It’s beautifully bleak and genuinely epic.
The production is clean but retains edge, the guitars slice, the rhythm section thunders, and vocals roar with clarity. The entire EP moves with purpose, showing off a matured songwriting approach without compromising the raw venom that defined their earlier work. Phobetor haven’t just come back with A Solitary Vigil, they’ve evolved. Tighter, meaner, and more atmospheric than before, this EP marks a band finding strength in restraint and fury in form. Five tracks are just enough to show they’ve sharpened every blade in their arsenal.
An intense, calculated strike from a band fully in control of their blackened craft. Phobetor sound ready for war. 9/10
The production is clean but retains edge, the guitars slice, the rhythm section thunders, and vocals roar with clarity. The entire EP moves with purpose, showing off a matured songwriting approach without compromising the raw venom that defined their earlier work. Phobetor haven’t just come back with A Solitary Vigil, they’ve evolved. Tighter, meaner, and more atmospheric than before, this EP marks a band finding strength in restraint and fury in form. Five tracks are just enough to show they’ve sharpened every blade in their arsenal.
An intense, calculated strike from a band fully in control of their blackened craft. Phobetor sound ready for war. 9/10
Wolfskull – Midnite Masters (Metalapolis Records) [Cherie Curtis]
3 Years since their last, Wolfskull are back with their new album Midnite Masters. This one is high energy, catchy and a lot of fun. Midnite Masters really paints a picture, each track tells a tale ranging from a romance going up in smoke to unruly misadventures. This album combines raw vocals with polished instrumentals which was distracting at first, but I came to appreciate Wolfskull’s unique sound.
Each track in Midnite Masters tells a story and the ambience is catered to it. For most of the album the tracks sit within the hard rock genre both Jaguarette and Mustang Baby have a snappy cadence and a flashy chorus, both are songs that will get stuck in your head for days. However, Holler In The Hollow, Destyna and their album closer Tyger Of Fate are darker and more romantic in theme so are far more sonorous, sometimes dipping slightly into melodic rock with powerful vocals and harmonies, creeping lead guitar and a plethoric rhythm.
Call Of The Wayward One acts an interlude, it sounds like it belongs in a Clint Eastwood Film. The piercing riffs, Bass-y drums and bells makes this track the jewel of the album, it’s a bit western compared to the rest however it works as a standalone and within in the album’s narrative. Wolfskull are displaying their range with this one. Midnight Masters is vibrant, energetic and strong together as a band. Solid performances all round. Even though this album isn't a favourite of mine it was a joy to listen to and left me in high spirits. 7/10
3 Years since their last, Wolfskull are back with their new album Midnite Masters. This one is high energy, catchy and a lot of fun. Midnite Masters really paints a picture, each track tells a tale ranging from a romance going up in smoke to unruly misadventures. This album combines raw vocals with polished instrumentals which was distracting at first, but I came to appreciate Wolfskull’s unique sound.
Each track in Midnite Masters tells a story and the ambience is catered to it. For most of the album the tracks sit within the hard rock genre both Jaguarette and Mustang Baby have a snappy cadence and a flashy chorus, both are songs that will get stuck in your head for days. However, Holler In The Hollow, Destyna and their album closer Tyger Of Fate are darker and more romantic in theme so are far more sonorous, sometimes dipping slightly into melodic rock with powerful vocals and harmonies, creeping lead guitar and a plethoric rhythm.
Call Of The Wayward One acts an interlude, it sounds like it belongs in a Clint Eastwood Film. The piercing riffs, Bass-y drums and bells makes this track the jewel of the album, it’s a bit western compared to the rest however it works as a standalone and within in the album’s narrative. Wolfskull are displaying their range with this one. Midnight Masters is vibrant, energetic and strong together as a band. Solid performances all round. Even though this album isn't a favourite of mine it was a joy to listen to and left me in high spirits. 7/10
Vertebra – The Same (Xtreem Music) [Rick Eaglestone]
The mid ‘90s underground music scene has always been a myriad of reminiscence and folklore Early purveyors of the melodic prog death Vertebra death/thrash were almost destined to been a what if band but metal is a bit like wrestling with the old never say never as Brazil’s Vertebra have returned, with their inspiration reignited and ready to show all that slipped away from them decades ago is but a distant memory.
The mid ‘90s underground music scene has always been a myriad of reminiscence and folklore Early purveyors of the melodic prog death Vertebra death/thrash were almost destined to been a what if band but metal is a bit like wrestling with the old never say never as Brazil’s Vertebra have returned, with their inspiration reignited and ready to show all that slipped away from them decades ago is but a distant memory.
From the opening salvo of Oblivion, it becomes abundantly clear that Vertebra have used their time wisely with and abundance groove and razor-sharp tones beholden of the times and are content to burrow deeper into its darkest recesses rather than chase trends or pander to algorithmic sensibilities.
The production here is wonderfully organic, allowing each instrument its proper space in the mix while maintaining that crucial sense of density that separates genuinely heavy records from mere collections of amplified noise. There is a dynamic to the guitar tone that recalls the halcyon days of underground metal, rather than relying solely on digital manipulation.
Vocalist Arildo Leal’s voice carries that perfect balance of melody and menace that separates On tracks like Behind The World and the absolutely crushing 95 Eyes, he demonstrates remarkable range without ever sacrificing the raw emotional honesty that makes the material so compelling.
The rhythm section of bassist and drum patterns provides the kind of rock-solid foundation that allows the more adventurous elements of Vertebra's sound to flourish. The bass work is particularly noteworthy, sitting perfectly in the pocket while adding subtle melodic flourishes that reward attentive listening.
Vocalist Arildo Leal’s voice carries that perfect balance of melody and menace that separates On tracks like Behind The World and the absolutely crushing 95 Eyes, he demonstrates remarkable range without ever sacrificing the raw emotional honesty that makes the material so compelling.
The rhythm section of bassist and drum patterns provides the kind of rock-solid foundation that allows the more adventurous elements of Vertebra's sound to flourish. The bass work is particularly noteworthy, sitting perfectly in the pocket while adding subtle melodic flourishes that reward attentive listening.
Meanwhile, drumming strikes that elusive balance between technical proficiency and primal power, never showboating when a straightforward approach will suffice. There are so many elements that blend in with Nostalgic tinges that a times does sound like they would have been tour mates with certain symbolic serenaders.
What sets The Same apart from similar releases is not any revolutionary breakthrough or genre-defying experimentation. Instead, it is the band's unwavering commitment to their chosen path, their refusal to dilute their vision in pursuit of broader appeal. In an era where metal bands feel compelled to incorporate everything from trap beats to orchestral arrangements, Vertebra's dedication to their core sound feels almost radical in its simplicity.
The album's title track serves as something of a thesis statement, staying true to bands origins and potential and It is a sentiment that perfectly encapsulates what makes this record so compelling.
The Same is not trying to change the world or redefine heavy music for a new generation. It is simply eleven tracks of expertly crafted metal that knows exactly what it wants to accomplish and executes that vision with surgical precision. An astonishing collection of songs From the past to the future, Vertebra are back with an album that maybe The Same in name but is anything but in nature.
A long overdue rediscovered treasure. 8/10
What sets The Same apart from similar releases is not any revolutionary breakthrough or genre-defying experimentation. Instead, it is the band's unwavering commitment to their chosen path, their refusal to dilute their vision in pursuit of broader appeal. In an era where metal bands feel compelled to incorporate everything from trap beats to orchestral arrangements, Vertebra's dedication to their core sound feels almost radical in its simplicity.
The album's title track serves as something of a thesis statement, staying true to bands origins and potential and It is a sentiment that perfectly encapsulates what makes this record so compelling.
The Same is not trying to change the world or redefine heavy music for a new generation. It is simply eleven tracks of expertly crafted metal that knows exactly what it wants to accomplish and executes that vision with surgical precision. An astonishing collection of songs From the past to the future, Vertebra are back with an album that maybe The Same in name but is anything but in nature.
A long overdue rediscovered treasure. 8/10
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