Galneryus – A Cry From The Sky Above Review
Look, I get it: A.I. is here and no one remembers where we put the lid to Pandora’s Box. Regardless of your stance on this divisive (?) topic, the use of A.I. art for a band as established as Galneryus …
Jordsjø – Pestkrønikene Review
[Cover Art by Kristian Valbo] I love the story behind the music. Not that it has to be some dramatic, sensational, or lurid tale. Rather, I just really appreciate how a little window into the …
Snorlax – Toxic Current Review
[Cover artwork by Rotting Reign] Having slept on the first few releases from Australia’s Snorlax, I approached Toxic Current—the Aussie one-man blackened death metal band’s third full-length—with fresh ears. I won’t bore you with any …
Ripper – Towards Rebirth Review
[Cover art by Paolo Girardi] There are currently nine bands named “Ripper” listed on ye olde Metal-Archives, but it’s tough to imagine any of them earning the moniker as well as the boys from Chile …
Staff Infections – July 2026
Greetings once again, dear readers. It’s time for Staff Infections, where we listen, you read and everybody has fun. Before we get to the fun part, however, we should acknowledge the recent passing of a …
Diamonds & Rust: The Rise And Decline Of Crossover – Just How Weird Was The Crumbsuckers’ Beast On My Back?
So, there’s a thing that happens behind the scenes at Last Rites HQ called ‘Sunday Funday’ where we each pick a random album for the LR collective to listen to during the week, and then …
Escumergamënt – Apparebat Eidolon Senex Review
When we write about music, we often proceed from a premise that is useful but essentially false: namely, that music has a fixed, objective reality. Don’t we all know, at some level, that music is …
Iron Slaught – Metallic Torments Review
[Cover art by Mario Lopez] “What is the correct number of people to have in a rock band?” I have precisely one memory from my high school chemistry class, and it’s debating that question with …
A Devil’s Dozen – Blut Aus Nord
For Vindsval, Blut Aus Nord’s many modes are the point. “Our albums are built around the control of contrasts — darkness and light continually feed one another, and the band’s entire discography is shaped by …