Melodic Death Metal

Cyborg Octopus - Substation, Seattle, WA - February 20, 2026

Glacial Ascension Tour, featuring Cyborg Octopus, Exuvial, Blighted Eye, The Devils of Loudun, & Embrium, at Substation in Seattle, WA, Feb 20, 2026 – Concert Review

A wide variety of extreme metal bands making up a fantastic show! The Glacial Ascension Tour featured 5 bands on a short tour up the West Coast, culminating in an appearance at Day 3 of Glacial Mutilation Fest in Vancouver, BC, Canada. The penultimate stop was at Substation in Seattle, WA, on Friday, February 20, […]

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Meteora - Darkest Light - Album Cover

Meteora – Darkest Light – Album Review

Progressive metal from Hungary incorporating symphonic, gothic, and death metal notes with a heavy dose of cinematic flair! I stumbled upon Hungary’s Meteora back in November via an Instagram ad letting me know about their at the time recently released  EP, “Broken Mind.” I liked the clip I heard, and after diving in for a

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Flowerleaf - Dreamerie - Album Cover

FlowerLeaf / Dreamerie – Album Review

HEAVY modern symphonic metal with killer melodies and fabulous song writing! I didn’t know who Flowerleaf was until late last year when they released a single called “Silksong” that came to my attention via an Instagram ad. If you are a video game aficionado or just happen to be familiar with the Hollow Knight series,

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Servitude - Smoke & Mirrors - Album Cover

Servitude / Smoke & Mirrors – Album Review

A progressive metal opus spanning varied influences with a strong melodic and heavy delivery! I stumbled upon Swedish progressive metal band Servitude and their brand new full length “Smoke & Mirrors,” independently released earlier in January. I was not familiar with the band at all, but they apparently released 5 singles in 2020 and 2021,

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Denominate - Restoration - Album Cover

Denominate / Restoration – Album Review

Atmospheric progressive death metal that envelopes and pulverizes! If you have read enough of my reviews, you know I have an extra soft spot for extreme progressive metal. There has been a lot of goodness in this genre to come out the past couple years, including favorites like the return of Anciients, An Abstract Illusion, In

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Dawn of Ouroboros at The Cobalt, Vancouver, BC, Jan 11, 2026

Sadness, Life, Dawn of Ouroboros, Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead, & Anchoress at The Cobalt in Vancouver, BC, Canada, Jan 11, 2026 – Concert Review

Post rock, screamo, progressive blackgaze, and more! Dawn of Ouroboros is a band I love, and they kicked off 2026 with a short West Coast tour with the bands Sadness and Life. I have no idea whether it was intentional or not, but at least in my head I have fabricated that this tour was

Sadness, Life, Dawn of Ouroboros, Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead, & Anchoress at The Cobalt in Vancouver, BC, Canada, Jan 11, 2026 – Concert Review Read More »

crimson shadows whispers of war album cover

My Top Metal albums for 2025: Top 25 full lengths, Top 2 EPs, 16 more to check out

Notable metal albums from 2025 that are required listening I love seeing end of year lists and am always fascinated to see how different they are from person to person, molded by what they gravitate to and what resonates. I have definitely broadened the genres and bands I listen to, but I still bias toward

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seven spires a fortress called home album cover

Seven Spires / A Fortress Called Home – Album Review

My 2024 metal album of the year. Absolutely stunning symphonic metal that cannot be confined! I have been anticipating the new release from Boston area symphonic metal band Seven Spires for quite some time. “A Fortress Called Home” dropped this past Friday, and I wasn’t sure what to expect, even after reviewing the first 2

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omnium gatherum may the bridges we burn light the way cd digipack

Omnium Gatherum / May the Bridges We Burn Light the Way – Album Review

“Chill death metal” with killer melodies and great songs! Chill death metal. This is the moniker my son and I assigned to Finnish melodeath band Omnium Gatherum the first time we listened to them. They released their latest album, “May the Bridges We Burn Light the Way” last month, and it is the epitome of

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Equilibrium - Equinox - Album Cover

Equilibrium / Equinox – Album Review

A modern folk metal offering with lots of atmosphere, heft, and killer melodies! I remember the first time I heard 2008 release Sagas by Germany’s Equilibrium, their second release (and first on Nuclear Blast). I was blown away by the melding of traditional folk melodies and instruments with the fury of black and death metal,

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