Borknagar – Fall Review
There is something beautiful about Borknagar’s career. In many ways, they’re a poster band for consistency. Their sound has evolved so much over the years that they probably lost a few second-wave-of-black-metal-die-hards. Still, for those …
Spectral Voice – Sparagmos Review
Ah, fear—a souvenir for the living. Fear, in and of itself, is subjective. However, certain situations and experiences fall into the “objective” category. For example, suppose you find yourself the victim of insects burrowing, bulging, …
Hulder – Verses In Oath Review
There is a strange comfort in seclusion. Indeed, you’re aware by now that I’m no psychologist. Hell, I’m barely at liberty to talk to you about the state of my psyche. But I remember routinely …
Engulf – The Dying Planet Weeps Review
There’s a consensus among the extreme music faithful that death metal is more popular than ever before. If you’re a sadomasochist and enjoy the torture of social media, just keep an eye out. These opinions …
Best Of 2023: Josh Heath – The Spirit Of Extraterrestrial Radio
Some years are better than others. Thankfully, 2023 was good to me. I got married, started a podcast, started writing alongside the fine folks here at Last Rites, and last but certainly not least, my …
Panopticon – The Rime Of Memory Review
Here in the Midwest, winter symbolizes nature’s aging process and the failure to sustain existence. Freezing winds pierce the skin like a final goodbye. Vegetation disappears like time itself. The harvested fields empty like an …
Valdrin – Throne Of The Lunar Soul Review AND Video Premiere
[Cover Art by Lucas Ruggieri] I promise all of this will make sense, so stick with me. In 1986, a young protagonist emerged for the first time from the land of Hyrule, a land I …
King – Fury And Death Review
Fire and ice have always entangled themselves in a tug-of-war, a relationship as old as time. Together, fire, the more aggressive, grandiose element, and ice, the solid, more submissive counterpart, create a symphony of symbiosis. …