Wonderbox Metal

Protest the Hero – Within (Review)

This is the sixth album from Canadian progressive metal band Protest the Hero.

Within contains 35 minutes of Protest the Hero’s inimitable brand of progressive metal. The band’s style has always been a happy marriage between chaos and beauty, to a greater or lesser extent depending on what you’re listening to, and Within continues their storied discography by contributing yet another Grade A winner. So much for spoilers, eh?

Protest the Hero operate in a Continue reading “Protest the Hero – Within (Review)”

Sallow Moth – Hydrophilous Brood (Review)

This is the fourth album from US death metal band Sallow Moth.

Sallow Moth play adventurous death metal that brings together elements of the technical, progressive, and brutal subgenres, (with dissonant and jazzy touches too). Brought to us by an ex-member of Cara Neir, Memorrhage, and Wildspeaker, Hydrophilous Brood contains 39 minutes of sci-fi extremity that’s sure to scratch multiple death metal itches at once.

The promo blurbs states Continue reading “Sallow Moth – Hydrophilous Brood (Review)”

Stay Dead – Beneath the Weight of Worlds (Review)

This is the debut album from sludge metal band Stay Dead.

Featuring members of Aiwass and High Desert Queen, Stay Dead play a compelling mix of sludge and doom. Beneath the Weight of Worlds contains five original songs, plus a cover, bringing together 36 minutes of material in total.

Beneath the Weight of Worlds focuses primarily on Continue reading “Stay Dead – Beneath the Weight of Worlds (Review)”

Ripper – Towards Rebirth (Review)

Ripper are a death/thrash metal band from Chile and this is their third album.

If you’re a fan of death/thrash along the lines of early Kreator and Sepultura, then the appropriately named Ripper have a treat for you. Towards Rebirth contains 42 minutes of vicious thrashing intensity, and is pretty much guaranteed to give fans of the style a damn good time.

Towards Rebirth offers up a Continue reading “Ripper – Towards Rebirth (Review)”

Miserere Luminis – Sidera (Review)

This is the third album from Canadian black metallers Miserere Luminis.

Miserere Luminis contain members of Conifère and Gris, and on Sidera they bring us 51 minutes of highly affecting atmospheric black metal. This is an uncommon journey that’s presented before you. Will you avail yourself of the gifts that Sidera has to offer? Continue reading “Miserere Luminis – Sidera (Review)”

Lumen ad Mortem – A Grave Ascent (Review)

Lumen ad Mortem are an Australian black metal band and this is their second album.

Following on from 2023’s Upon the Edge of Darkness, A Grave Descent brings us 42 minutes of new material from Lumen ad Mortem. Theirs is an engaging, enveloping form of black metal that burns cold, but is still fiery at heart nonetheless.

A Grave Ascent follows Continue reading “Lumen ad Mortem – A Grave Ascent (Review)”

Red Method – Vol 1: As in Life (Review)

This is the latest EP from UK metallers Red Method.

Vol 1: As in Life contains 29 minutes of material. Red Method blend nu-metal, metalcore, and industrial elements into their metallic cocktail, (as well as a smattering of occasional deathcore and djent), manifesting as a sound that’s nicely dark and heavy. Continue reading “Red Method – Vol 1: As in Life (Review)”

Black Sites – For Eternity (Review)

This is the fifth album from US heavy metallers Black Sites.

2021’s Untrue and 2024’s The Promised Land? were both quality metal records, so For Eternity appearing on the horizon was most welcome. Black Sites keep regularly pumping out good music, and album number five is no different in this regard. With a new lineup in tow, Black Sites deliver a masterclass in song-based heavy metal. Continue reading “Black Sites – For Eternity (Review)”

Inferno – The Anthropic Sophisms (On the Heights of Despair) (Review)

Inferno are a black metal band from Czechia and this is their ninth album.

2013’s Omniabsence Filled By His Greatness, 2017’a Gnosis Kardias (of Transcension and Involution), and 2021’s Paradeigma (Phosphenes of Aphotic Eternity) were all strong releases of an esoteric nature. With four new songs that expand across 41 amorphous minutes, Inferno have arrived once more with The Anthropic Sophisms (On the Heights of Despair) to show the world their inscrutable vision for blackened darkness. Continue reading “Inferno – The Anthropic Sophisms (On the Heights of Despair) (Review)”

Psycroptic – The Pulse of Annihilation (Review)

This is the ninth album from Australian death metallers Psycroptic.

Whether it’s 2015’s Psycroptic, 2018’s As the Kingdom Drowns, or 2022’s Divine Council, Psycroptic always put out something special. The Pulse of Annihilation is no exception to this trend, as the band spend 40 minutes showing once again just why they are so highly regarded by extreme metal connoisseurs. Continue reading “Psycroptic – The Pulse of Annihilation (Review)”