Sinister Realm - World Of Evil (Shadow Kingdom, 2013)

Track Listing:

1. Dark Angel Of Fate (4.24)
2. Bell Strikes Fear (4.13)
3. World Of Evil (6.21)
4. The Ghosts Of Nevermore (6.52)
5. Prophets Of War (5.10)
6. Cyber Villain (6.17)
7. The Forest Of Souls (1.33)
8. Four Black Witches (8.43)

Synopsis: Sinister Realm return for album number three, sporting one of the best covers you are likely to see this year, and thankfully, when it comes down to it, the music is equally impressive. This is just pure heavy metal, with a subtle injection of doom, not retro by any means but also not overtly modern either. There is also a good balance between slower tracks and more up tempo numbers such as standout "Prophets Of War" all of which are memorable and potent. Overall "World Of Evil" is exactly what you would want from a band in this style, classic metal performed with power and conviction resulting in one of the highlights of the year to date.

www.sinisterrealm.net

Xanthochroid - Blessed He With Boils (Earth & Axen, 2012)

Track Listing:

1. Aquatic Deathgate Existence (3.00)
2. Blessed He With Boils (7.29)
3. Winter's End (5.01)
4. Long Live Our Lifeless King (8.55)
5. Deus Absconditus I (3.58)
6. Deus Absconditus II (5.36)
7. The Leper's Prospect (5.51)
8. In Putris Stagnum (6.26)
9. Here I'll Stay (2.39)
10. Rebirth Of An Old Nation (9.00)

Synopsis: "Blessed He With Boils" is a fine example of a young band with obvious talent and ambition that, considering it is their first full-length and independently released, can't help but impress. The music is highly complex, bringing to mind Emperor or Borknagar at times, yet despite the melodic, blackend intensity that serves as the basis of most of their compositions the use of orchestration and acoustic moments are exceptionally well done. If there is one criticism, and it is minor, it is the production which is decent but a bit underwhelming considering the strength of the music. Of course, this in no way diminishes what Xanthochroid have achieved here and if they can make the slight improvement in that area they could be unstoppable. 

www.facebook.com/xanthochroidmetal

Isole - Born From Shadows (Napalm, 2011)

Track Listing:

1. The Lake (7.14)

2. Black Hours (7.10)

3. Born From Shadows (9.27)

4. Come To Me (6.49)

5. My Angel (10.31)

6. Condemned (8.49)

7. When All Is Black (5.28)

Synopsis: Isole are back with another album full of epic doom metal and, as you would expect, very has little has changed since their last release, "Silent Ruins".  I mean that in the best possible way as, if anything, this is a darker album than its predecessor, exemplified by the increased use of growled vocals, yet it hasn't lost any of the atmosphere, nor the solemn harmonies, in the process. Isole are one of those bands that can be uplifting one minute then crestfallen the next and "Born From Shadows" is another fine chapter in their consistently accomplished discography.

http://www.forevermore.se/