Review: The brainchild of Olli-Pekka Laine (Amorphis, Barren Earth, Mannhai), Beyond The Aeons marks the debut full-length from psych-death-prog entity Octoploid. Rounding out the line-up with several long-time collaborators including vocalist Mikko Kotamaki (Swallow The Sun) and keyboardist Kim Rantala (formerly of Amorphis), the collective live up to their namesake by pulling from several eras of rock simultaneously with a sonic bedrock built upon 70s prog and psychedelia, 90s death and black metal, as well as the myriad Venn Diagram-like intersections where these styles have crossed paths over the decades. Equal parts King Crimson, Pink Floyd and Opeth, on their debut statement Octoploid deliver a fuzzy, bombastic ode to all things heaving, hypnotising, hefty and hallucinogenic.
Review: Born on the 17th of May 1988 and dying in October 1992, Old Funeral were one of the very first Norwegian extreme metal acts on record, before the second wave black metal wave would sweep through Scandinavia. Featuring members of later pioneering acts such as Abbath and Demonaz of Immortal, as well as Varg Vikernes (who would go on to become the one-man band Burzum and murderer of Mayhem's Euronymous), the Our Condolences collection collates every known recording the group ever made, showcasing the earlier chaotic maelstrom of blackened death-thrash experimentation retrospectively required before black metal as we know it today could arise. In traditionalist fashion, these recordings have been in no way remixed, remastered or touched up, this is straight from the original tapes cold, raw harshness in the exact same form it was delivered to unsuspecting listeners decades prior.
Review: Crafted over years, Rebirth encapsulates Old Gods Of Asgard's decades-spanning creativity as eminent collaborators with the video game industry. Over the years, the Old Gods have woven a tapestry of sound in conjunction with such indie titles as Alan Wake and Control, which now takes full retroactive form in this Greatest Hits record. A barrage of rock 'n' roll anthems that could grind rocks to dust and pulverize hotel rooms, the band's thunderous drumbeats and scorching guitar riffs ignite a fire within, while the vocals soar to celestial heights, invoking an undeniable euphoria. A numinous experience if we've ever heard one, this new Insomniac edition is a testament to the indomitable Odinist spirit of the Old Gods.
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