Bristol have something in the water there. There is a pool of extreme metal talent that just seem to be able to do it and as further evidence of this, up stride Embodiment with their first release since 2020 with a 4 track EP of the harshest nature. In a world where bands are in love with an instrumental opening, there is no messing about here from these.
The Jeopardy In Idolatry comes screaming in with this magic guitar measure. I mean its just quality, and it comes in amongst a crushing opening track that could cheerfully hold its own against any extreme act. It combines all of the good things that you love in extreme metal; speed, aggression and having it all wrapped up inside of 4 minutes. There is a literal joy running through this, seemingly from an understanding that the material on this EP is their best, with nothing being phoned in.
That technical, almost cosmic theme continues into Beneath The Skin, that spidery lines falling away to allow the true hard riffs to come flying in. And they do, even the addition of cleans doesn’t detract from the arrangement here, its just full on and suddenly we are on two for two. Did I mention the face melting solo? No, well there’s one of those too. You combine that with an aggressive resolve to continually mash you into bits and you have a stormer on your hands.
Resonance Cascade sees them bring more of the cleans to play, but its backed up by some of the tightest rhythms you could find. As a the three of four, its like the climatic baton pass in a relay. Its pitched just right to set up what should be the triumphant final lap, as long as they don’t do anything stupid.
As They Spread Their Infection starts in a way that gave me a pause, its almost a throwback to 80s hair metal in the way this opening riff kicks off, like mid 80s Ozzy. You’ll know what I mean as soon as you hear it. Suddenly they pull that particular rug up and normal frenetic metal service is resumed. The drop into it, and then the corresponding arrangement that follows up is just quality.
As They Spread Their Infection starts in a way that gave me a pause, its almost a throwback to 80s hair metal in the way this opening riff kicks off, like mid 80s Ozzy. You’ll know what I mean as soon as you hear it. Suddenly they pull that particular rug up and normal frenetic metal service is resumed. The drop into it, and then the corresponding arrangement that follows up is just quality.
Its so tightly wrapped during those speedy moments that when it loops back to that opening measure it lands so much better. The lead that frankly dominates from about 2 minutes and 30 seconds is spell binding, so much so that you lose track of everything else. And then they bring more heaviness in that closing minute that is just crushing. And I mean crushing.
Its probably some of the most exhilarating metal that’s come out this year, 4 perfectly built tracks that I’m hoping preface a full length release from them. This is a work of art, simply put. Absolute stormer. 9/10
North Sea Echoes - How To Cast A Shadow (Metal Blade Records) [Matt Bladen]
Veteran prog metal musicians Ray Alder and Jim Mathos (both Fates Warning), flex their muscles with North Sea Echoes, keeping the musical cohesion they have cultivated over many years but within a different set of soundscapes than they are normally a part of.
Their debut record Really Good Terrible Things matched the emotional power of Alder's voice with a style of writing from guitarist Jim Mathos that was driven by electronic music genres merging with rock, it was introspective and carried a quiet intensity that appealed to long time fans of the duo but also cast them in new roles.
The follow up How To Cast A Shadow, takes things further, getting heavier in all aspects the riffs on Enjoy The View are turn up the distortion while the electronic thumps are now combines with real drums from Dennis Leeflang, to give these songs more dynamic and natural heaviness, like the hard rocking All That Comes After.
Matheos has been writing extensively in between the last NSE record and for this one he had 25 songs prepared, sending them over to Alder who chose the ones he wanted to work with. The ones that suits his ever excellent and emotive vocal style from the anthemic single I'll Leave A Light On, the creeping thump of All Fall Away and the beautiful Good Enough all highlight his talents.
Matheos on the other hand expands his wiring style more on this second album, creating some moody pop rock ala Del Amitri on Villains Or Saints, as Revenge goes into the dark sensuality of Depeche Mode while the Title Track invokes some industrial dreamscapes.
In my review of their debut I mentioned Lunatic Soul, Silent Skies and the more ambient side of Devin, and all these comparisons still stand on How To Cast A Shadow, this second collaboration between prog metal veterans does gain a bit more metallic weight. 8/10
Its probably some of the most exhilarating metal that’s come out this year, 4 perfectly built tracks that I’m hoping preface a full length release from them. This is a work of art, simply put. Absolute stormer. 9/10
North Sea Echoes - How To Cast A Shadow (Metal Blade Records) [Matt Bladen]
Veteran prog metal musicians Ray Alder and Jim Mathos (both Fates Warning), flex their muscles with North Sea Echoes, keeping the musical cohesion they have cultivated over many years but within a different set of soundscapes than they are normally a part of.
Their debut record Really Good Terrible Things matched the emotional power of Alder's voice with a style of writing from guitarist Jim Mathos that was driven by electronic music genres merging with rock, it was introspective and carried a quiet intensity that appealed to long time fans of the duo but also cast them in new roles.
The follow up How To Cast A Shadow, takes things further, getting heavier in all aspects the riffs on Enjoy The View are turn up the distortion while the electronic thumps are now combines with real drums from Dennis Leeflang, to give these songs more dynamic and natural heaviness, like the hard rocking All That Comes After.
Matheos has been writing extensively in between the last NSE record and for this one he had 25 songs prepared, sending them over to Alder who chose the ones he wanted to work with. The ones that suits his ever excellent and emotive vocal style from the anthemic single I'll Leave A Light On, the creeping thump of All Fall Away and the beautiful Good Enough all highlight his talents.
Matheos on the other hand expands his wiring style more on this second album, creating some moody pop rock ala Del Amitri on Villains Or Saints, as Revenge goes into the dark sensuality of Depeche Mode while the Title Track invokes some industrial dreamscapes.
In my review of their debut I mentioned Lunatic Soul, Silent Skies and the more ambient side of Devin, and all these comparisons still stand on How To Cast A Shadow, this second collaboration between prog metal veterans does gain a bit more metallic weight. 8/10
Faustian - Parable Of The Sewer (Apocalyptic Witchcraft) [Mark Young]
Supergroups, by their definition are a collection of individuals who are already established as solo artists or from groups, again already established. Your personal definition may be driven by how famous (relatively) they are within that chosen genre.
Supergroups, by their definition are a collection of individuals who are already established as solo artists or from groups, again already established. Your personal definition may be driven by how famous (relatively) they are within that chosen genre.
In some cases, metal, specifically extreme metal supergroups are maybe more deserving of that tag. Or you might see that and it immediately puts you off. Again, its dependent on your taste. Of the bands that make up Faustian, I have heard of Werewolves, I reviewed their Ugliest Of All album, and just as a reminder to them that they: They.Must.Not.Slow.Down.
In any event, it doesn't matter to me who is in this band, they key is that it either:
Kicks ass.
Does not kick ass.
In any event, it doesn't matter to me who is in this band, they key is that it either:
Kicks ass.
Does not kick ass.
That is my starting point, and luckily, I Curse You, the lead off point starts off like a bomb detonating. The primordial energy that I’ve associated with Werewolves is here, but its emboldened by a different method of madness. It black metal but distilled from a place that is hotter than hell when it wants to be. Its not brittle in its production like others, everything is captured so well, but the one thing that is here is that intent, of moving beyond simple brutality into something else.
Broken Better pulls back the blackened cloak to throw in an electric display that takes the traditional and bends it to their will. The change in tack and willingness to do this where they could in all honesty have written 9 versions of, I Curse You and then be applauded.
One thing that is noticeable is that the songs are filled with ideas that don’t overstay their welcome. They speed when they need to, reduce when required but its never done without meaning something in the context of the song. Nothing is presented without meaning, and that is what I love about this.
As we move along Immaculate blasts off like the best black metal does, melody lines moving like a blur, drums blasting and guttural vocals are all in place. It’s a typical example of what you can expect from them, of being able to build music that is based on a genre that can often leave you cold and uninspired. This constant and consistent execution doesn’t falter at any point, its like they have chanced upon a fountain of riffs and ideas that have formed into extreme metal goodness.
As a rule of thumb, the success of an album (at least for me) is based on how it starts and then how it ends. We have all been there, a band starts off strong and stays at a decent level only to drop an absolute clanger at the end. No danger of that happening here; Tenements (Only The Wicked Walk In Circles) brings that mix of speed and classic black metal melodic lines into play, it calls back to Broken Better in how its put together, but it isn’t just a repeat.
As a rule of thumb, the success of an album (at least for me) is based on how it starts and then how it ends. We have all been there, a band starts off strong and stays at a decent level only to drop an absolute clanger at the end. No danger of that happening here; Tenements (Only The Wicked Walk In Circles) brings that mix of speed and classic black metal melodic lines into play, it calls back to Broken Better in how its put together, but it isn’t just a repeat.
This is the thing, the way that they have been able to this right through is top class. And then they drop their final statement: The Rot Shall Inherit The Earth. July has been very good to me; there has been some blinders released and this is one of them. Its one of the strongest closing pieces you will hear in 2026. It’s the sum of all parts smashed into a cohesive shape.
There is nothing wasted, nothing added that isn’t needed. It is an exercise in pure metal craft that a lot of bands would give all of their extremities to be able produce something like this. Jump on this immediately. 9/10
I almost forgot – It Kicks ass. Or kicks Arse. Depending on where you live.
Changing Places In The Fire - Changing Places In The Fire (Wild Thing Records) [Matt Bladen]
Born in exile, Changing Places In The Fire is the product of five Venezuelan musicians that are spread across the globe, this is their way of expressing the emotions about their forced collective migration, the effects it has had on them as people and the political ramifications that have led to it. Venezuela if you didn't know went from being a dictatorship into effectively controlled by the USA after they forcibly removed President Maduro, causing the country to basically be under a puppet government.
So there's a lot of real life experience he band say these songs were written in a period of upheaval and that the "album has lived with us for years" so now it's the time for them to share their music with a wider audience courtesy of Wild Thing Records.
Falling between the alternative, prog and post metal scenes, Changing Places In The Fire can't really be nailed down to one approach, in the blurb there are references to Dredg, Deftones, Oceansize, and Porcupine Tree, casting the net pretty wide.
Changing Places In The Fire open their debut record with some Tool-like grooving on The Epiphany Tree while Home blends Rush with Marillion, these two tracks begin the album very strongly, putting the band very much in my wheelhouse as a listener.
I almost forgot – It Kicks ass. Or kicks Arse. Depending on where you live.
Changing Places In The Fire - Changing Places In The Fire (Wild Thing Records) [Matt Bladen]
Born in exile, Changing Places In The Fire is the product of five Venezuelan musicians that are spread across the globe, this is their way of expressing the emotions about their forced collective migration, the effects it has had on them as people and the political ramifications that have led to it. Venezuela if you didn't know went from being a dictatorship into effectively controlled by the USA after they forcibly removed President Maduro, causing the country to basically be under a puppet government.
So there's a lot of real life experience he band say these songs were written in a period of upheaval and that the "album has lived with us for years" so now it's the time for them to share their music with a wider audience courtesy of Wild Thing Records.
Falling between the alternative, prog and post metal scenes, Changing Places In The Fire can't really be nailed down to one approach, in the blurb there are references to Dredg, Deftones, Oceansize, and Porcupine Tree, casting the net pretty wide.
Changing Places In The Fire open their debut record with some Tool-like grooving on The Epiphany Tree while Home blends Rush with Marillion, these two tracks begin the album very strongly, putting the band very much in my wheelhouse as a listener.
Progressive but without the need for too much showing off, song focussed to tell these stories of alienation and as we Welsh say hiraeth. A Reason To Fall carries on with the melodic post metal dreaminess as Fury And The Sound reminds me of Karnivool, due to the varied and passionate vocals of Daz Medrano.
Whether it's dreamy post metal realms of the aforementioned A Reason To Fall or heavier sound such as Learn To Die, the the drums of Miguel Ángel Moliné are always sturdy and inventive, locking down the potency of the massive The Epiphany Tree.
In the melodic areas keyboard player Alfredo Ovalles adds the orchestrations and electronics, keeping tracks As If You Were Free feeling cinematic and bringing ambience to The Door Left Behind. Javier Landaeta and Antonio Silva share the guitar duties shifting magnificently between the ultra prog metal workout of A Case Against The World to the acoustically laced Into The Unknown.
There's just so much talent on display and a synchronicity here that it feels like they were all in the same room rather than various places around the world. The debut album from Changing Places In The Fire is uniting force between all the players displaced but connected through their music. 9/10
Whether it's dreamy post metal realms of the aforementioned A Reason To Fall or heavier sound such as Learn To Die, the the drums of Miguel Ángel Moliné are always sturdy and inventive, locking down the potency of the massive The Epiphany Tree.
In the melodic areas keyboard player Alfredo Ovalles adds the orchestrations and electronics, keeping tracks As If You Were Free feeling cinematic and bringing ambience to The Door Left Behind. Javier Landaeta and Antonio Silva share the guitar duties shifting magnificently between the ultra prog metal workout of A Case Against The World to the acoustically laced Into The Unknown.
There's just so much talent on display and a synchronicity here that it feels like they were all in the same room rather than various places around the world. The debut album from Changing Places In The Fire is uniting force between all the players displaced but connected through their music. 9/10
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