Diaries of Doom

  They’re back with a vengeance; leaning heavily on their blackened influence, this is sophisticated death metal which is going to make you pull those nasty, yet satisfied faces. With their third full-length album, Lucca Schmerler serving vocals, Marvin Kessler and Nahuel Lozano taking the lead on guitars, Viktor Dick bossing the bass and Danny Strasser blasting on drums, Mental Cruelty are going from strength to strength, proving that they’ve got a lot to offer in this emerging genre. I’m quite excited to share this release with you, I hope you’ll enjoy it as I have. A calming ambience introduces the album [ Avgang ] as a precursor to the forthcoming cavalcade of noise they’ve called Ultima Hypocrita . This feels like a bit of a breath of fresh air for the Germanic Death Metal Quintet, much more akin to the orchestral backdrop accustomed to Lorna Shore or Fleshgod Apocalypse. A high level of intensity bursts out of the stereo field; from the soaring highs of blackened melodies to...

Regional One, a heavy-hitting, hard rocking band from Bournemouth, return with an anthem designed for dense, sweaty crowds to sing the words back at them when gigs have returned as they always were. With a stream of singles over the last few years - including the metallic 'Dead Silence' ( which Ben reviewed last year ) - they're slowly but surely making a name for themselves as an essential modern rock band in the South of England. 'Smoke It Away' may well be their catchiest and most refined tune yet. The start of something really big for Regional One? Only time will tell! Regional One set the tone with the classic-sounding setup of gently strummed guitar chords, soft vocal humming and a pounding kick drum - by their new addition behind the kit, Aaron Levens - to let the listeners know that they're in for a banger. With cheeky, smutty, tongue-in-cheek lyrics that would initially suggest that vocalist Simon Ball is talking about a lady friend, the 'little gre...

London's Satlan formed in 2015, but with members' activities in other bands Panacea is the first real taste of what they have to offer for most of us. An enthralling listen, Satlan take you on several twists and turns throughout their 47-minute exploration into powerful, vintage-sounding heavy rock that draws unapologetically from psychedelia, doom and stoner. Sure, most of the songs are pretty long, but sprinkled with differing sections, musically intelligent ideas and time changes that aren't found too often in the genre, Satlan have indisputable prog rock leanings. It adds a real dose of ambitiousness to their recognisable, yet unique sound. Fronted by Soozi Chameleone (ex-Dead Witches), Satlan are now a must-know band for any self-respecting doomhead - and here's why... The hazy 'Control' introduces Panacea with jaunty, Iommi-influenced riffing from Roy Nadel. Although it's nine and a half minutes long, there's no time for introductions - Soozi's...

...The ritual’s about to begin. The sun in the sky is waning, the trees have decided to simmer down and even the birds nesting amongst their branches have hushed for this very special occasion - Boss Keloid have released a new album. The (in)tense rush of excitement trembles through my hand as my fingers steady the needle, awaiting its kiss as it crackles along the surface of my newly pressed vinyl. I’m about to experience Family the Smiling Thrush for the first time in my life... I mean, where do I even start, other than at the beginning. Usually I’m able to write a satisfactory review after a full listen or two, but with Family the Smiling Thrush I’m finding myself going back for more time and time again so I can digest all the music details like Augustus Gloop gobbling up Willy Wonka’s chocolate river. Leaving no stone unturned, you’re getting an in-depth review, so buckle up. Family the Smiling Thrush feels like an ...