Doomed For Metal Reviews

The Indianapolis based one-man band/project Wizard Tattoo has been reviewed on Doomed For Metal a couple times prior and I’m happy I was asked to review their new release, and second full-length album, “ When Gods Had Hands .”  Bram the Bard, the musician behind the band, has also released three EPs and a compilation under the moniker.    Two of those EPs, “ Living Just for Dying ,” and “ One of these Knives ,” were reviewed by me for the blog.  Those two EP’s were quite eclectic and blended a variety of styles; in that respect, they definitely took a progressive approach to their brand of dynamic metal.  However, “ When Gods Had Hands ,” takes on a much darker, more vitriol path in the form of blackened doom.   I’m not going to lie so I’ll be honest:  it wouldn’t hurt my feelings at all if they continued on with this form.  Whether they do or not is anyone's guess but this album is fantastic.   While I could do without some of the spoken wor...

Hyperion is a black metal band from Sweden that formed in 2007; their latest album, “ Elysia ,” is their second full-length album; they have also released a demo.  Apparently, this is their first album since their debut in 2016—and that one escaped my radar, so this is my first experience with them. It’s an impressive experience too.  “ Elysia ,” is an album that uses a chaotic form of black metal as the building blocks of its sound but it’s also symphonic, element, and grandiose in scope and execution.  In addition to all that, I can hear some melodic death metal influences as well. That’s a lot of dynamics for a band to tackle—-that’s okay because Hyperion is a lot of album. With 10 tracks across a sprawling 74 minute runtime, this beast has more than enough time to let its songwriting skills loose on all the sounds contained within.  Personally, I think it could stand to lose a few minutes here and there but, regardless, it’s a hell of a ride that effectively tack...

Buzzard is that band that combines folk with doom metal; it's actually a one-man project from musician Christopher Thomas Elliott and based in Massachusetts. His latest release under the moniker is the fourth full-length album " Hush Now. " Folk elements being combined with metal of various styles certainly isn’t new, but Buzzard is the only band/project on the planet that truly nails down the idea of melding folk storytelling with metal.  I’m a fan of folk metal but most of it is just catchy and jaunty jingles over some heavy riffs.    But “ Hush Now ,” understands that folk isn’t just acoustic elements and melody.  It’s also embracing the storytelling aspect that comes around with Americana and singer/songwriting which have much in common with folk.  This album is more like a mixture of doom and old school artists John Prime or more modern efforts like Jason Isbell. Ironically, although I can’t say I’m a fan of the style overall, I have heard plenty of ...

In Obscurity Revealed is a death metal band from Mexico, who formed in 2014.  Their latest album, “ Caustic Maelstrom ,” is their second full-length album; they have also released two demos, an EP and a split. Sometimes what you see is what you can get—in case, I see the badass artwork that depicts some hellish landscape and what I get is an album that sounds like some hellish landscape.  Surprisingly (in a good way for the most part), the production on “ Caustic Maelstrom ,” is clear for the style rather than covered up in atmospheric muck that would do nothing except mute the beautiful clarity that is In Obscurity Revealed ’s brand of death metal. Although, it does need the bass higher in the mix for a tighter low end. Every punishing riff, wild solo, and the battering ram cadence of the rhythm section can be heard and nearly felt.   Every instrument is as heavy as some albums I’ve heard this year and brings with it a real sense of depravity and heavy punishment....

Short, to the point review:   You know what is wrong with this album?  Absolutely nothing.  Masterpiece.   Long, boring review that only nerds will read: I can't imagine there is anyone who doesn't know Pantheïst at this point but just in case you're a mainstream poser, this band has been churning out funeral doom since the year 2000. 26 years later, the band seems to have a newfound sense of energy on their seventh full-length. “ Uncanny Times ,” is unbelievably good regardless of the band’s age but for a band to be quickly rushing towards the big 30 and still putting out albums of this quality is nothing short of spectacular. Much of the reason this album deserves any and all praise is because of clean vocalist Linda Dumitru . Although she collaborated with the band for their 2024 EP “ Kings Must Die ,” she has since become an official member, and she adds a new dimension to their sound.  She is a professional soprano, and she has one of the most p...

Thronehammer is a doom metal band of international orgions that formed in 2012.  Their latest release, “ Slay, Kill, Erase ,” is their fourth full-length album; they have also released a demo and a split.  I'll be 100% honest: up until I dived into this album, I wasn't overly familiar with Thronehammer . I did enjoy “ Incantation Rites ” but beyond that it has just been a song here and there. I'm dumb. Real dumb. This band should have stayed on my radar. There wasn't any particular reason why they left—just too much music and too little time.  But I'm going to make the time because this album is the balls (compliment). It is very clear that even in my limited experience with them, that “ Slay, Kill, Erase ” is their most aggressive album yet. Everything that I heard from the band has now been expanded upon and amplified tenfold.  The album’s overall sound is deeply rooted in doom metal, no doubt about that.  But I can hear elements of traditional, power, death, ...

Tårfödd is a one-man black metal band from Sweden, the mastermind behind it being Simon Lindgren (also of Grimveil ).  This latest album, “En Känsla Av Hopplöshet ,” is the project/band’s seventh full-length album, in addition to several EPs and a compilation.   The album title translates roughly to “A Feeling of Hopelessness.” The lyrical and concept is focused around loss of someone close to Lindgren. This results in “ En Känsla Av Hopplöshet ,” being very raw in terms of its emotions.  Musically, it is atmospheric and melodic but also visceral and intense. The contrast between these levels of tender pain and roaring intensity make the album have a natural feel to it–this is a very grief ridden but honest album.   I don’t know if I would call this DSBM per say but the atmosphere is obviously haunting and depressing but I also sense quiet moments of clarity throughout.  I find this to be a unique album in the Tårfödd discography because it sounds like th...