Metal Storm logo
Staff picks


Vastum - Hole Below
24.12.2015 | Death Metal

This is dirty, menacing & crushing Death metal of the highest order that grabs your attention from the first note until the last.

Sound like your kinda thing? Then check it out here
Picked by:
Thumbs up:
Nefarious
wormdrink414
Dead To A Dying World - Litany
16.10.2015 | Blackened Crust/Doom

Despite the long running time, Litany's numerous stylistic influences, great atmosphere & compositional depth keep the listener engaged for the entire duration of the album. In fact, with music this good the challenge isn't really about if you can get to the end without hitting the 'stop' button...but if you can stop yourself from immediately hitting 'play' again!

Listen here
Picked by:
Thumbs up:
Nefarious
Deadsoulman, ScreamingSteelUS, Mr. Doctor, Starvynth
Anopheli - The Ache Of Want
03.07.2015 | Post-hardcore , Crust punk

Having released one of the best EP's of the year in 2014 with their demo A Hunger Rarely Sated, Anopheli have followed this up with an equally brilliant yet slightly more refined debut album The Ache Of Want. This is 40 minutes of cello infused Crust punk/post-hardcore that deserves your attention, so go give it a listen NOW!

Listen here
Picked by:
Thumbs up:
Nefarious
Darkside Momo, Deadsoulman, BloodTears, ScreamingSteelUS, Mr. Doctor, Starvynth
Serdce - Timelessness
07.07.2014 | Jazz-infused Progressive Death Metal

To put it bluntly, Timelessness is nothing short of a masterpiece!

Don't believe me? Go give it a spin HERE, and decide for yourself.
Picked by:
Thumbs up:
Nefarious
R'Vannith, Darkside Momo
Herder - Gods
15.05.2014 | Sludge / Stoner / Doom

You've probably heard some heavy sludge/stoner doom in your time......but Herder is harder!

Listen here.
Picked by:
Thumbs up:
Nefarious
Marcel Hubregtse, Collin, Ag Fox, Abattoir, wormdrink414, Mr. Doctor, psykometal, BitterCOld
Benevolent - The Covenant
18.03.2014 | Progressive

Combining djent grooves and progressive death metal with a great use of ambiance, Dubai's Benevolent have really raised the bar as to what we can expect from bands in this region. Despite many songs on The Covenant being around the 7-10 minute mark, it never overstays it's welcome due to the great musicianship showcased throughout as the albums flows back & forth between beauty & brutality.

Listen here.

Read review ››
Picked by:
Thumbs up:
Nefarious
Darkside Momo, BloodTears, Troy Killjoy
Black Fast - Starving Out The Light
01.01.2014 | Progressive Black/Thrash

A really interesting and engaging blend of Progressive Black and Thrash Metal. Imagine Vektor with a little bit of Death & Enslaved mixed in. Sounds good right?

Go give them a listen.
Picked by:
Thumbs up:
Nefarious
wormdrink414, psykometal, !J.O.O.E.!, Mr. Doctor, R'Vannith
Eye Of Solitude - Canto III
26.11.2013 | Death/Doom

Simply put, this is a great follow-up to last years album Sui Caedere that further solidifies Eye Of Solitude as one of the elite UK death/doom metal acts.

Listen here.
Picked by:
Thumbs up:
Nefarious
Marcel Hubregtse, Abattoir, psykometal, Doc Godin, Apothecary, Mr. Doctor, Collin, Troy Killjoy
Omb - SwineSong
13.10.2013 | Progressive / Avantgarde

If you like your prog to be ambitious, diverse, theatrical & technically proficient, then you are gonna love what these Israelis have in store for you!

Listen here.
Picked by:
Thumbs up:
Nefarious
Ivor, R'Vannith, Dane Train
Carpe Noctem - In Terra Profugus
20.09.2013 | Black Metal

52 minutes of raw, chaotic Black Metal from Iceland that is as haunting as it is hypnotizing. Fantastic songwriting, amazing atmosphere, great debut!

Listen here
Picked by:
Thumbs up:
Nefarious
!J.O.O.E.!, psykometal, Daniell, BitterCOld, Mr. Doctor, Marcel Hubregtse, Troy Killjoy, wormdrink414
Ade - Spartacus
13.06.2013 | Death Metal

"Death Metal comes to us all. Press me again, and you shall find yours."
Picked by:
Thumbs up:
Nefarious
psykometal
Apocynthion - Sidereus Nuncius
27.04.2013 | Post Black Metal

Following on from my most recent staff pick, Vallendusk, here is another great debut Black Metal release from the Pest Productions label. This time it is of the Post Black Metal variety.

Listen here.
Picked by:
Thumbs up:
Nefarious
Mr. Doctor
Vallendusk - Black Clouds Gathering
20.04.2013 | Atmospheric Black Metal

The Indonesian metal scene is more known for its brutal death metal but Vallendusk try and break that mould by showing that the scene has a lot more to offer by serving up some seriously high quality atmospheric black metal. Unlike the majority of atmospheric black metal bands that operate with that more depressive mid-tempo sound, Vallendusk differentiate themselves by employing a faster & more upbeat tempo with undoubted post & folk influences. The standout element of this record is without a doubt the excellent guitar work. Whether it's the melodic hooks or acoustic folk passages, it will grip you throughout.

Black Clouds Gathering consists of 7 tracks with the shortest track being 8 minutes long and is admittedly not the most varied record out there, so it will not suit those with a short attention span. But if epic melody-driven atmospheric black metal is your thing, I seriously suggest you give this a spin.

Listen here.

Read review ››
Picked by:
Thumbs up:
Nefarious
Abattoir, Mr. Doctor, Susan
Anciients - Heart Of Oak
10.04.2013 | Progressive Metal

Anciients employ an extremely varied and eclectic mix of styles, from blues rock to black metal, that combine together so effortlessly to form what is surely one of the best debut albums of 2013 so far. Heart Of Oak is as unique & ambitious as it is memorable, and will undoubtedly be a hit with any fan's of progressive, expansive music.

Listen here.

Read review ››
Picked by:
Thumbs up:
Nefarious
psykometal, R'Vannith, Susan, jupitreas, Ag Fox, Doc Godin, Mr. Doctor
Xanthochroid - Blessed He with Boils
01.01.2013 | Epic/Melodic Black Metal

Interesting, innovative, engaging, diverse & technically proficient. This Epic/Melodic/Progressive Black metal release takes influences from many different genres & combines them together so well to form an absolute gem of a debut album. Xanthochroid are going places, and wherever they go you should follow.

Listen here
Picked by:
Thumbs up:
Nefarious
Susan, psykometal, Mr. Doctor, Darkside Momo, BloodTears