Dissona – Receptor Review
[Cover artwork by David Dubenic] It’s tempting to call Dissona a passion project. Based in and around Chicago, they’ve been making progressive metal for more than 15 years, outlasting the tides of misfortune and disappointment, …
Reflection – The Battles I Have Won Review
[Cover artwork by Alexandros Vasilopoulos] Founded in 1992 by guitarist Stathis Pavlantis in Athens, Greece, Reflection has released five albums (and a split) of epic heavy metal celebrating the spirit of the titans of the …
EchoSoul – Time Of The Dragon Review
Who knew the end times could be so much fun? Well… not these times. Not that we’re literally living out the end of days; although, what better sign of the times than the plausibility that …
Ancient Death – Ego Dissolution Review
[Cover art by Maegan LeMay] Now one certainly doesn’t need any special context to understand the appeal of Ego Dissolution, Walpole, Massachusetts-based Ancient Death’s debut LP after an EP and a split. If you’ll go …
Katoaja – What We Witness Review
[Cover art by Waltteri Lahti] Albums hitting in December and early January almost don’t have a chance in the floodwaters of List Season, so Katoaja’s debut record, What We Witness, was already struggling against the …
Best of 2024: Lone Watie: Can You Give Me A Minute, Please?
Something at work got me thinking a little while ago about The Ant and the Grasshopper. The gist of the fable, of course, is get stuff done now or you’ll regret it later. Now look, …
Thy Catafalque – XII: A Gyönyörü Álmok Ezután Jönnek Review
Front cover artwork by Dániel Szécsényi and Tamás Kátai The list of descriptors for Tamás Kátai’s Thy Catafalque is long and varied. Consult any online source, ask any fan, and you’ll be buried in any …
Papangu – Lampião Rei Review
Cover artwork by Eduardo Ver Papangu’s debut album, Holoceno, was a resounding success in 2021, even making that year’s Last Rites Combined Staff Top 25. Four longtime friends from João Pessoa, Brazil, had somehow found …