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  1. Desolate Pathway – Visions in Death Review By ClarkKent

    People have been imagining monsters as the harbingers of their doom for millennia. In Homer’s The Odyssey, men met their makers at the hands of creatures ranging from a man-eating cyclops to dangerously alluring sirens. The English epic poem, Beowulf, included the monstrous Grendel, who terrorized and ate townsfolk, and more than a thousand years later Bram Stoker would tell about a blood-sucking vampire, Count Dracula. Fears of worldwide annihilation eventually came in the form of Kaiju monsters and flesh-eating zombies. For the misery and despair these beings have wrought (at least on our imaginations), it’s only fitting that a band dabbling in epic doom takes on the theme of monsters and demons. England’s Desolate Pathway didn’t start out with an interest in this topic. They formed in 2014, focused on fantasy (2014’s Valley of the King) and mythology (2016’s Of Gods and Heroes). A decade later, on Visions in Death, they evoke the haunting beauty of monsters from a more romantic era.

    Desolate Pathway harken back to the old school epic doom of Candlemass, bring modern elements akin to Behölder, and mix in some gothic melancholy from My Dying Bride. They combine your typical funeral doom chuggery with elaborate and achingly beautiful lead riffs to achieve some of the most remarkable performances in doom this year. Visions in Death opens with its strongest cut, “Creeper,” which is catchy as hell, featuring a killer lead riff and a chorus that’s sure to infect your brain and make you belt out “Calling me, haunting me” until it infects your loved ones and eventually the world.1 The rest of the album doesn’t quite reach that level of catchiness, but there are plenty of other infectious numbers that’ll get you singing along about Lucifer (“Horrors of the Night”) and vampires (“The Dark Prince,” “Vampire’s Kiss”). There’s a level of poetry to the lyrics that heightens the emotional impact of the music.

    Konrad proves the heart of Visions in Death with his soulful croons and creative riffcrafting. His sudden emotional outpourings on guitar and the mic ensure this record will throw constant surprises your way. The lead riffs on “Creeper” never fail to give me goosebumps, and a gorgeous solo at the tail end of “Dark Prince” leaves me in awe every time I hear it. Vocally, Konrad doesn’t have your typical doom metal delivery, sounding more like Volbeat’s Michael Poulsen than any traditional doom vocalist,2 with a soulful delivery reminiscent of Isole’s Daniel Bryntse. Sparks of impassioned crooning often provide a lift as songs reach their conclusions—on “Dawn of Extinction,” Konrad belts out a stunner that left me feeling both ecstatic and melancholic. Desolate Pathway show a knack for such climactic payoffs, leading to lots of big feelings throughout the record.

    A weaker back half unfortunately keeps this from 4.0 territory. The instrumental “Angels without Words” is solid, but it’s missing the emotional oomph of Konrad’s voice. “Vampire’s Kiss” is also good, though it does play things safer and more subdued than the earlier tunes. An appreciable dip in production quality on the closing two songs does the most to weaken the overall impact, and Desolate Pathway’s usual tricks only go so far in redeeming these missteps. “Beasts of Doom” has a rather strong payoff as Konrad turns on the passion towards the end, but this doesn’t quite save the song from its muddy and loud production choices. Closer “Visions in Death” has a cavernous quality that sounds off, and this one never really pops off like the rest. More consistent mixing would have gone a long way towards pushing this to the next level.

    Visions in Death proves an astonishing return for a band that’s been out of the game for a decade. Desolate Pathway has also shown incredible growth in that span of time. Their first two albums were rougher around the edges and lacked the inspiration shown here. “Creeper” has made a strong case for my song of the year, and if Desolate Pathway continues to write tunes like that, they will prove themselves a band to keep an eye out for. If you love great riffs and soulful singing in your doom, don’t pass this one up.

    Rating: 3.5/5.0
    DR: 7 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
    Label: Meuse Music
    Websites: Bandcamp | Facebook
    Releases Worldwide: September 25th, 2026

    #2026 #35 #Behölder #Candlemass #DesolatePathway #DoomMetal #EnglishMetal #EpicDoomMetal #HeavyMetal #Isole #MeuseMusic #MyDyingBride #Review #Reviews #Sep26 #VisionsInDeath #Volbeat
  2. Desolate Pathway – Visions in Death Review By ClarkKent

    People have been imagining monsters as the harbingers of their doom for millennia. In Homer’s The Odyssey, men met their makers at the hands of creatures ranging from a man-eating cyclops to dangerously alluring sirens. The English epic poem, Beowulf, included the monstrous Grendel, who terrorized and ate townsfolk, and more than a thousand years later Bram Stoker would tell about a blood-sucking vampire, Count Dracula. Fears of worldwide annihilation eventually came in the form of Kaiju monsters and flesh-eating zombies. For the misery and despair these beings have wrought (at least on our imaginations), it’s only fitting that a band dabbling in epic doom takes on the theme of monsters and demons. England’s Desolate Pathway didn’t start out with an interest in this topic. They formed in 2014, focused on fantasy (2014’s Valley of the King) and mythology (2016’s Of Gods and Heroes). A decade later, on Visions in Death, they evoke the haunting beauty of monsters from a more romantic era.

    Desolate Pathway harken back to the old school epic doom of Candlemass, bring modern elements akin to Behölder, and mix in some gothic melancholy from My Dying Bride. They combine your typical funeral doom chuggery with elaborate and achingly beautiful lead riffs to achieve some of the most remarkable performances in doom this year. Visions in Death opens with its strongest cut, “Creeper,” which is catchy as hell, featuring a killer lead riff and a chorus that’s sure to infect your brain and make you belt out “Calling me, haunting me” until it infects your loved ones and eventually the world.1 The rest of the album doesn’t quite reach that level of catchiness, but there are plenty of other infectious numbers that’ll get you singing along about Lucifer (“Horrors of the Night”) and vampires (“The Dark Prince,” “Vampire’s Kiss”). There’s a level of poetry to the lyrics that heightens the emotional impact of the music.

    Konrad proves the heart of Visions in Death with his soulful croons and creative riffcrafting. His sudden emotional outpourings on guitar and the mic ensure this record will throw constant surprises your way. The lead riffs on “Creeper” never fail to give me goosebumps, and a gorgeous solo at the tail end of “Dark Prince” leaves me in awe every time I hear it. Vocally, Konrad doesn’t have your typical doom metal delivery, sounding more like Volbeat’s Michael Poulsen than any traditional doom vocalist,2 with a soulful delivery reminiscent of Isole’s Daniel Bryntse. Sparks of impassioned crooning often provide a lift as songs reach their conclusions—on “Dawn of Extinction,” Konrad belts out a stunner that left me feeling both ecstatic and melancholic. Desolate Pathway show a knack for such climactic payoffs, leading to lots of big feelings throughout the record.

    A weaker back half unfortunately keeps this from 4.0 territory. The instrumental “Angels without Words” is solid, but it’s missing the emotional oomph of Konrad’s voice. “Vampire’s Kiss” is also good, though it does play things safer and more subdued than the earlier tunes. An appreciable dip in production quality on the closing two songs does the most to weaken the overall impact, and Desolate Pathway’s usual tricks only go so far in redeeming these missteps. “Beasts of Doom” has a rather strong payoff as Konrad turns on the passion towards the end, but this doesn’t quite save the song from its muddy and loud production choices. Closer “Visions in Death” has a cavernous quality that sounds off, and this one never really pops off like the rest. More consistent mixing would have gone a long way towards pushing this to the next level.

    Visions in Death proves an astonishing return for a band that’s been out of the game for a decade. Desolate Pathway has also shown incredible growth in that span of time. Their first two albums were rougher around the edges and lacked the inspiration shown here. “Creeper” has made a strong case for my song of the year, and if Desolate Pathway continues to write tunes like that, they will prove themselves a band to keep an eye out for. If you love great riffs and soulful singing in your doom, don’t pass this one up.

    Rating: 3.5/5.0
    DR: 7 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
    Label: Meuse Music
    Websites: Bandcamp | Facebook
    Releases Worldwide: September 25th, 2026

    #2026 #35 #Behölder #Candlemass #DesolatePathway #DoomMetal #EnglishMetal #EpicDoomMetal #HeavyMetal #Isole #MeuseMusic #MyDyingBride #Review #Reviews #Sep26 #VisionsInDeath #Volbeat
  3. Desolate Pathway – Visions in Death Review By ClarkKent

    People have been imagining monsters as the harbingers of their doom for millennia. In Homer’s The Odyssey, men met their makers at the hands of creatures ranging from a man-eating cyclops to dangerously alluring sirens. The English epic poem, Beowulf, included the monstrous Grendel, who terrorized and ate townsfolk, and more than a thousand years later Bram Stoker would tell about a blood-sucking vampire, Count Dracula. Fears of worldwide annihilation eventually came in the form of Kaiju monsters and flesh-eating zombies. For the misery and despair these beings have wrought (at least on our imaginations), it’s only fitting that a band dabbling in epic doom takes on the theme of monsters and demons. England’s Desolate Pathway didn’t start out with an interest in this topic. They formed in 2014, focused on fantasy (2014’s Valley of the King) and mythology (2016’s Of Gods and Heroes). A decade later, on Visions in Death, they evoke the haunting beauty of monsters from a more romantic era.

    Desolate Pathway harken back to the old school epic doom of Candlemass, bring modern elements akin to Behölder, and mix in some gothic melancholy from My Dying Bride. They combine your typical funeral doom chuggery with elaborate and achingly beautiful lead riffs to achieve some of the most remarkable performances in doom this year. Visions in Death opens with its strongest cut, “Creeper,” which is catchy as hell, featuring a killer lead riff and a chorus that’s sure to infect your brain and make you belt out “Calling me, haunting me” until it infects your loved ones and eventually the world.1 The rest of the album doesn’t quite reach that level of catchiness, but there are plenty of other infectious numbers that’ll get you singing along about Lucifer (“Horrors of the Night”) and vampires (“The Dark Prince,” “Vampire’s Kiss”). There’s a level of poetry to the lyrics that heightens the emotional impact of the music.

    Konrad proves the heart of Visions in Death with his soulful croons and creative riffcrafting. His sudden emotional outpourings on guitar and the mic ensure this record will throw constant surprises your way. The lead riffs on “Creeper” never fail to give me goosebumps, and a gorgeous solo at the tail end of “Dark Prince” leaves me in awe every time I hear it. Vocally, Konrad doesn’t have your typical doom metal delivery, sounding more like Volbeat’s Michael Poulsen than any traditional doom vocalist,2 with a soulful delivery reminiscent of Isole’s Daniel Bryntse. Sparks of impassioned crooning often provide a lift as songs reach their conclusions—on “Dawn of Extinction,” Konrad belts out a stunner that left me feeling both ecstatic and melancholic. Desolate Pathway show a knack for such climactic payoffs, leading to lots of big feelings throughout the record.

    A weaker back half unfortunately keeps this from 4.0 territory. The instrumental “Angels without Words” is solid, but it’s missing the emotional oomph of Konrad’s voice. “Vampire’s Kiss” is also good, though it does play things safer and more subdued than the earlier tunes. An appreciable dip in production quality on the closing two songs does the most to weaken the overall impact, and Desolate Pathway’s usual tricks only go so far in redeeming these missteps. “Beasts of Doom” has a rather strong payoff as Konrad turns on the passion towards the end, but this doesn’t quite save the song from its muddy and loud production choices. Closer “Visions in Death” has a cavernous quality that sounds off, and this one never really pops off like the rest. More consistent mixing would have gone a long way towards pushing this to the next level.

    Visions in Death proves an astonishing return for a band that’s been out of the game for a decade. Desolate Pathway has also shown incredible growth in that span of time. Their first two albums were rougher around the edges and lacked the inspiration shown here. “Creeper” has made a strong case for my song of the year, and if Desolate Pathway continues to write tunes like that, they will prove themselves a band to keep an eye out for. If you love great riffs and soulful singing in your doom, don’t pass this one up.

    Rating: 3.5/5.0
    DR: 7 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
    Label: Meuse Music
    Websites: Bandcamp | Facebook
    Releases Worldwide: September 25th, 2026

    #2026 #35 #Behölder #Candlemass #DesolatePathway #DoomMetal #EnglishMetal #EpicDoomMetal #HeavyMetal #Isole #MeuseMusic #MyDyingBride #Review #Reviews #Sep26 #VisionsInDeath #Volbeat
  4. Desolate Pathway – Visions in Death Review By ClarkKent

    People have been imagining monsters as the harbingers of their doom for millennia. In Homer’s The Odyssey, men met their makers at the hands of creatures ranging from a man-eating cyclops to dangerously alluring sirens. The English epic poem, Beowulf, included the monstrous Grendel, who terrorized and ate townsfolk, and more than a thousand years later Bram Stoker would tell about a blood-sucking vampire, Count Dracula. Fears of worldwide annihilation eventually came in the form of Kaiju monsters and flesh-eating zombies. For the misery and despair these beings have wrought (at least on our imaginations), it’s only fitting that a band dabbling in epic doom takes on the theme of monsters and demons. England’s Desolate Pathway didn’t start out with an interest in this topic. They formed in 2014, focused on fantasy (2014’s Valley of the King) and mythology (2016’s Of Gods and Heroes). A decade later, on Visions in Death, they evoke the haunting beauty of monsters from a more romantic era.

    Desolate Pathway harken back to the old school epic doom of Candlemass, bring modern elements akin to Behölder, and mix in some gothic melancholy from My Dying Bride. They combine your typical funeral doom chuggery with elaborate and achingly beautiful lead riffs to achieve some of the most remarkable performances in doom this year. Visions in Death opens with its strongest cut, “Creeper,” which is catchy as hell, featuring a killer lead riff and a chorus that’s sure to infect your brain and make you belt out “Calling me, haunting me” until it infects your loved ones and eventually the world.1 The rest of the album doesn’t quite reach that level of catchiness, but there are plenty of other infectious numbers that’ll get you singing along about Lucifer (“Horrors of the Night”) and vampires (“The Dark Prince,” “Vampire’s Kiss”). There’s a level of poetry to the lyrics that heightens the emotional impact of the music.

    Konrad proves the heart of Visions in Death with his soulful croons and creative riffcrafting. His sudden emotional outpourings on guitar and the mic ensure this record will throw constant surprises your way. The lead riffs on “Creeper” never fail to give me goosebumps, and a gorgeous solo at the tail end of “Dark Prince” leaves me in awe every time I hear it. Vocally, Konrad doesn’t have your typical doom metal delivery, sounding more like Volbeat’s Michael Poulsen than any traditional doom vocalist,2 with a soulful delivery reminiscent of Isole’s Daniel Bryntse. Sparks of impassioned crooning often provide a lift as songs reach their conclusions—on “Dawn of Extinction,” Konrad belts out a stunner that left me feeling both ecstatic and melancholic. Desolate Pathway show a knack for such climactic payoffs, leading to lots of big feelings throughout the record.

    A weaker back half unfortunately keeps this from 4.0 territory. The instrumental “Angels without Words” is solid, but it’s missing the emotional oomph of Konrad’s voice. “Vampire’s Kiss” is also good, though it does play things safer and more subdued than the earlier tunes. An appreciable dip in production quality on the closing two songs does the most to weaken the overall impact, and Desolate Pathway’s usual tricks only go so far in redeeming these missteps. “Beasts of Doom” has a rather strong payoff as Konrad turns on the passion towards the end, but this doesn’t quite save the song from its muddy and loud production choices. Closer “Visions in Death” has a cavernous quality that sounds off, and this one never really pops off like the rest. More consistent mixing would have gone a long way towards pushing this to the next level.

    Visions in Death proves an astonishing return for a band that’s been out of the game for a decade. Desolate Pathway has also shown incredible growth in that span of time. Their first two albums were rougher around the edges and lacked the inspiration shown here. “Creeper” has made a strong case for my song of the year, and if Desolate Pathway continues to write tunes like that, they will prove themselves a band to keep an eye out for. If you love great riffs and soulful singing in your doom, don’t pass this one up.

    Rating: 3.5/5.0
    DR: 7 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
    Label: Meuse Music
    Websites: Bandcamp | Facebook
    Releases Worldwide: September 25th, 2026

    #2026 #35 #Behölder #Candlemass #DesolatePathway #DoomMetal #EnglishMetal #EpicDoomMetal #HeavyMetal #Isole #MeuseMusic #MyDyingBride #Review #Reviews #Sep26 #VisionsInDeath #Volbeat
  5. #NowPlaying the recent album "In the Templer of the Tyrant" by the band #Behölder from the #USA

    #EpicDoomMetal #Dark #PowerMetal #HeavyMetal #AlbumsOf2025

    Personal Rating: 8 / 10

    Recommended Tracks: "Draconian (Slave or Master)", "I Magus", "Into the Underdark", "A Pale Blood Sky", "Eyes of the Deep", "For those who Fell", "Summoned & Bound"

    beholderblacklion.bandcamp.com

  6. #NowPlaying the recent album "In the Templer of the Tyrant" by the band #Behölder from the #USA

    #EpicDoomMetal #Dark #PowerMetal #HeavyMetal #AlbumsOf2025

    Personal Rating: 8 / 10

    Recommended Tracks: "Draconian (Slave or Master)", "I Magus", "Into the Underdark", "A Pale Blood Sky", "Eyes of the Deep", "For those who Fell", "Summoned & Bound"

    beholderblacklion.bandcamp.com

  7. #NowPlaying the recent album "In the Templer of the Tyrant" by the band #Behölder from the #USA

    #EpicDoomMetal #Dark #PowerMetal #HeavyMetal #AlbumsOf2025

    Personal Rating: 8 / 10

    Recommended Tracks: "Draconian (Slave or Master)", "I Magus", "Into the Underdark", "A Pale Blood Sky", "Eyes of the Deep", "For those who Fell", "Summoned & Bound"

    beholderblacklion.bandcamp.com

  8. Αδιανόητη η επιστροφή των Candlemass με Messiah. Έπαιξαν αψεγάδιαστα, ο Messiah κρυστάλλινος και ευδιάθετος, σαν να μη πέρασε μια μέρα. Συγκινητικό και να βλέπεις τον Leif Endling ακόμα στη σκηνή ύστερα από τα θέματα υγείας που έχει περάσει. Ο Lars Johansson να διαλύει την κιθάρα με μερικά από τα πιο εμπνευσμένα σόλο που έχουν γραφτεί στο Metal. Πολλά τα δυνατά συναισθήματα και η συγκίνηση, όταν ξαναβλέπεις μία από τις πιο αγαπημένες μπάντες των εφηβικών και μετεφηβικών χρόνων, στην απόλυτη σύνθεση, μετά από 20 χρόνια. Το σέτλιστ τέλειο, έπαιξαν όλα τα υπερχιτς που θέλαμε να ακούσουμε. Το κοινό ήταν δυναμικότατο, δεν σταμάτησε δευτερόλεπτο να τραγουδάει και να φωνάζει το όνομα του Messiah και των Candlemass.

    Υποτίθεται λένε ότι ήταν μία και μοναδική συναυλία, αλλά πιστεύω ότι θα κάνουν κι άλλες (αν ήταν και έξυπνοι επιχειρηματίες, αυτό θα το κάνουν). Μακάρι δηλαδή, είναι κρίμα να μην τους έχει δει κάποιος με αυτή τη σύνθεση.

    Candlemass (with Messiah) - Marche Funebre & The Well of Souls (Live in Athens, Greece - 2025)
    Candlemass (with Messiah) - Bewitched (Live in Athens, Greece - 2025)
    Candlemass (with Messiah) - At the Gallows End (Live in Athens, Greece - 2025)

    #music #μουσική #doommetal #metal #epicdoommetal #candlemass #gigs #συναυλίες

  9. Αδιανόητη η επιστροφή των Candlemass με Messiah. Έπαιξαν αψεγάδιαστα, ο Messiah κρυστάλλινος και ευδιάθετος, σαν να μη πέρασε μια μέρα. Συγκινητικό και να βλέπεις τον Leif Endling ακόμα στη σκηνή ύστερα από τα θέματα υγείας που έχει περάσει. Ο Lars Johansson να διαλύει την κιθάρα με μερικά από τα πιο εμπνευσμένα σόλο που έχουν γραφτεί στο Metal. Πολλά τα δυνατά συναισθήματα και η συγκίνηση, όταν ξαναβλέπεις μία από τις πιο αγαπημένες μπάντες των εφηβικών και μετεφηβικών χρόνων, στην απόλυτη σύνθεση, μετά από 20 χρόνια. Το σέτλιστ τέλειο, έπαιξαν όλα τα υπερχιτς που θέλαμε να ακούσουμε. Το κοινό ήταν δυναμικότατο, δεν σταμάτησε δευτερόλεπτο να τραγουδάει και να φωνάζει το όνομα του Messiah και των Candlemass.

    Υποτίθεται λένε ότι ήταν μία και μοναδική συναυλία, αλλά πιστεύω ότι θα κάνουν κι άλλες (αν ήταν και έξυπνοι επιχειρηματίες, αυτό θα το κάνουν). Μακάρι δηλαδή, είναι κρίμα να μην τους έχει δει κάποιος με αυτή τη σύνθεση.

    Candlemass (with Messiah) - Marche Funebre & The Well of Souls (Live in Athens, Greece - 2025)
    Candlemass (with Messiah) - Bewitched (Live in Athens, Greece - 2025)
    Candlemass (with Messiah) - At the Gallows End (Live in Athens, Greece - 2025)

    #music #μουσική #doommetal #metal #epicdoommetal #candlemass #gigs #συναυλίες

  10. Αδιανόητη η επιστροφή των Candlemass με Messiah. Έπαιξαν αψεγάδιαστα, ο Messiah κρυστάλλινος και ευδιάθετος, σαν να μη πέρασε μια μέρα. Συγκινητικό και να βλέπεις τον Leif Endling ακόμα στη σκηνή ύστερα από τα θέματα υγείας που έχει περάσει. Ο Lars Johansson να διαλύει την κιθάρα με μερικά από τα πιο εμπνευσμένα σόλο που έχουν γραφτεί στο Metal. Πολλά τα δυνατά συναισθήματα και η συγκίνηση, όταν ξαναβλέπεις μία από τις πιο αγαπημένες μπάντες των εφηβικών και μετεφηβικών χρόνων, στην απόλυτη σύνθεση, μετά από 20 χρόνια. Το σέτλιστ τέλειο, έπαιξαν όλα τα υπερχιτς που θέλαμε να ακούσουμε. Το κοινό ήταν δυναμικότατο, δεν σταμάτησε δευτερόλεπτο να τραγουδάει και να φωνάζει το όνομα του Messiah και των Candlemass.

    Υποτίθεται λένε ότι ήταν μία και μοναδική συναυλία, αλλά πιστεύω ότι θα κάνουν κι άλλες (αν ήταν και έξυπνοι επιχειρηματίες, αυτό θα το κάνουν). Μακάρι δηλαδή, είναι κρίμα να μην τους έχει δει κάποιος με αυτή τη σύνθεση.

    Candlemass (with Messiah) - Marche Funebre & The Well of Souls (Live in Athens, Greece - 2025)
    Candlemass (with Messiah) - Bewitched (Live in Athens, Greece - 2025)
    Candlemass (with Messiah) - At the Gallows End (Live in Athens, Greece - 2025)

    #music #μουσική #doommetal #metal #epicdoommetal #candlemass #gigs #συναυλίες

  11. Anchorite – Realm of Ruin Review

    By Steel Druhm

    2025 has not given me nearly enough epic doom. I need a lot of that stuff to offset my obsession with sub-basement phlegm-death, or my entire equilibrium starts to go pear-shaped and fall off the tracks. Luckily, international collective Anchorite are on the job with their sophomore opus, Realm of Ruin. Using the tried-and-trve sound profile of Candlemass, Solitude Aeturnus, Crypt Sermon, and Sorcerer, all the key landmarks are present, with heavy riffs, powerful vocals, and a sense of melancholy lurking behind the iron fistery. What gives Anchorite a leg up is a sizeable dose of testosterone and machismo in their doom chowder. They borrow from acts like Pale Divine and Argus and aim to kick you in the nether regions even as they harsh your mellow emotionally. Is that the sort of dual-tracked abuse you want from your metal? If so, follow me to the punishment area.

    The gates open wide on the opening title track to reveal a powerful, punchy sound with burly riffs pushing the song forward as Leo Stivala (Forsaken, Pagan Altar) delivers manly, rough-hewn bellows and plaintive, somber tones as the moment requires. This is almost like vintage Iced Earth doing epic doom, and honestly, it works pretty damn well. Better still is “The Lighthouse Chronicles,” which takes you on a moody, emotional voyage over 7-plus minutes with hooks deployed expertly along the way to snare your ear. It’s plenty mournful and forlorn, but the epic energy crackles just below the surface and the riffs are meaty and forceful. The chorus is immediately memorable, supported by dour riffing that reeks of Paradise Lost. Add an intriguing midpoint segment that screams introspective Nevermore, and it’s clear Anchorite are onto something. Through it all, Stivala moves adroitly from rougher tones to weepy sadboi wails, convincing at all times. Showing Anchorite’s range, “Devil on the Throne” shifts to muscular, bluesy biker doom like Place of Skulls and Pale Divine. It’s less direct, more classically doomy, and 70s Sabbath jam-intensive. It checks all the boxes, and Stivala once again channels Warrel Dane’s potent spirit to good effect.

    If things had slipped a bit on the album’s back half, I’d still be pretty impressed with Realm of Ruin. Instead, you get shellacked by the majesty and might of “The Apostate’s Prayer,” which is half vintage Candlemass, half Sorcerer, and all badass. The guitar work here is stellar, and Stivala ups his game significantly for a vocal tour de force running across misery, grief, and soul-killing inner conflict. His despondent cries of “I have fallen so far” will give you goose bumps and pierce your cold, dead heart. This tune is aces. Closer “Kingdom Undone” is another big moment with a gripping chorus that blends classic metal, doom, and just a hint of power cheese for something extra hooky. It reminds me of the material on Human Fortress’ stellar Defenders of the Crown, but with a melancholic sheen slathered over everything. There are no duds here, and every track brings something interesting to the table, though they don’t all reach the same peaks as the aforementioned highlights. A few tracks suffer from slight bloating around the edges, but at 54 minutes, Realm of Ruin doesn’t feel overlong, nor would I want to see any selections cut.

    I’m quite impressed with Leo Stivala’s performance. He mixes forceful Jorn-esque bellows with effectively downcast classic doom singing and switches up his delivery enough to provide surprises and meet the material where it is. He’s got some of the same charm and appeal as Crypt Sermon’s Brooks Wilson, and also reminds one of Robert Lowe (Solitude Aeturnus) at times. Then there are the scattered Warrel Dane bits. Not bad company to find oneself in. Matching Stivala at each step is the guitar work by Martin Andersen. He blends classic heavy metal tropes with all the expected epic doom sounds and brings in touches of power metal to round out the experience. He delivers emotional moments in his solos and harmonies while keeping things heavier than one might expect. Impressive showing in all phases.

    Realm of Ruin is one of those albums you enjoy on the first go-through, and with each spin, it reveals more of itself until you’re fully submerged in the band’s craftwork. Anchorite have writing chops, and Realm comes fairly close to reaching the upper levels of doom glory. As it stands, it’s an immersive stroll through the ruins with moments of genuine brilliance and grandeur. I’ll be watching these cats closely because their potential is writ large. A happy surprise and well recommended.

    Rating: 3.5/5.0
    DR: 8 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
    Label: Personal Records
    Website: facebook.com/anchoritedoom
    Releases Worldwide: August 1st, 2025

    #2025 #35 #Anchorite #Argus #Aug25 #Candlemass #CryptSermon #DesolateRealm #DoomMetal #EpicDoomMetal #InternationalMetal #PaleDivine #RealmOfRuin #Review #Reviews #SolitudeAeturnus #Sorcerer

  12. Anchorite – Realm of Ruin Review

    By Steel Druhm

    2025 has not given me nearly enough epic doom. I need a lot of that stuff to offset my obsession with sub-basement phlegm-death, or my entire equilibrium starts to go pear-shaped and fall off the tracks. Luckily, international collective Anchorite are on the job with their sophomore opus, Realm of Ruin. Using the tried-and-trve sound profile of Candlemass, Solitude Aeturnus, Crypt Sermon, and Sorcerer, all the key landmarks are present, with heavy riffs, powerful vocals, and a sense of melancholy lurking behind the iron fistery. What gives Anchorite a leg up is a sizeable dose of testosterone and machismo in their doom chowder. They borrow from acts like Pale Divine and Argus and aim to kick you in the nether regions even as they harsh your mellow emotionally. Is that the sort of dual-tracked abuse you want from your metal? If so, follow me to the punishment area.

    The gates open wide on the opening title track to reveal a powerful, punchy sound with burly riffs pushing the song forward as Leo Stivala (Forsaken, Pagan Altar) delivers manly, rough-hewn bellows and plaintive, somber tones as the moment requires. This is almost like vintage Iced Earth doing epic doom, and honestly, it works pretty damn well. Better still is “The Lighthouse Chronicles,” which takes you on a moody, emotional voyage over 7-plus minutes with hooks deployed expertly along the way to snare your ear. It’s plenty mournful and forlorn, but the epic energy crackles just below the surface and the riffs are meaty and forceful. The chorus is immediately memorable, supported by dour riffing that reeks of Paradise Lost. Add an intriguing midpoint segment that screams introspective Nevermore, and it’s clear Anchorite are onto something. Through it all, Stivala moves adroitly from rougher tones to weepy sadboi wails, convincing at all times. Showing Anchorite’s range, “Devil on the Throne” shifts to muscular, bluesy biker doom like Place of Skulls and Pale Divine. It’s less direct, more classically doomy, and 70s Sabbath jam-intensive. It checks all the boxes, and Stivala once again channels Warrel Dane’s potent spirit to good effect.

    If things had slipped a bit on the album’s back half, I’d still be pretty impressed with Realm of Ruin. Instead, you get shellacked by the majesty and might of “The Apostate’s Prayer,” which is half vintage Candlemass, half Sorcerer, and all badass. The guitar work here is stellar, and Stivala ups his game significantly for a vocal tour de force running across misery, grief, and soul-killing inner conflict. His despondent cries of “I have fallen so far” will give you goose bumps and pierce your cold, dead heart. This tune is aces. Closer “Kingdom Undone” is another big moment with a gripping chorus that blends classic metal, doom, and just a hint of power cheese for something extra hooky. It reminds me of the material on Human Fortress’ stellar Defenders of the Crown, but with a melancholic sheen slathered over everything. There are no duds here, and every track brings something interesting to the table, though they don’t all reach the same peaks as the aforementioned highlights. A few tracks suffer from slight bloating around the edges, but at 54 minutes, Realm of Ruin doesn’t feel overlong, nor would I want to see any selections cut.

    I’m quite impressed with Leo Stivala’s performance. He mixes forceful Jorn-esque bellows with effectively downcast classic doom singing and switches up his delivery enough to provide surprises and meet the material where it is. He’s got some of the same charm and appeal as Crypt Sermon’s Brooks Wilson, and also reminds one of Robert Lowe (Solitude Aeturnus) at times. Then there are the scattered Warrel Dane bits. Not bad company to find oneself in. Matching Stivala at each step is the guitar work by Martin Andersen. He blends classic heavy metal tropes with all the expected epic doom sounds and brings in touches of power metal to round out the experience. He delivers emotional moments in his solos and harmonies while keeping things heavier than one might expect. Impressive showing in all phases.

    Realm of Ruin is one of those albums you enjoy on the first go-through, and with each spin, it reveals more of itself until you’re fully submerged in the band’s craftwork. Anchorite have writing chops, and Realm comes fairly close to reaching the upper levels of doom glory. As it stands, it’s an immersive stroll through the ruins with moments of genuine brilliance and grandeur. I’ll be watching these cats closely because their potential is writ large. A happy surprise and well recommended.

    Rating: 3.5/5.0
    DR: 8 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
    Label: Personal Records
    Website: facebook.com/anchoritedoom
    Releases Worldwide: August 1st, 2025

    #2025 #35 #Anchorite #Argus #Aug25 #Candlemass #CryptSermon #DesolateRealm #DoomMetal #EpicDoomMetal #InternationalMetal #PaleDivine #RealmOfRuin #Review #Reviews #SolitudeAeturnus #Sorcerer

  13. Anchorite – Realm of Ruin Review

    By Steel Druhm

    2025 has not given me nearly enough epic doom. I need a lot of that stuff to offset my obsession with sub-basement phlegm-death, or my entire equilibrium starts to go pear-shaped and fall off the tracks. Luckily, international collective Anchorite are on the job with their sophomore opus, Realm of Ruin. Using the tried-and-trve sound profile of Candlemass, Solitude Aeturnus, Crypt Sermon, and Sorcerer, all the key landmarks are present, with heavy riffs, powerful vocals, and a sense of melancholy lurking behind the iron fistery. What gives Anchorite a leg up is a sizeable dose of testosterone and machismo in their doom chowder. They borrow from acts like Pale Divine and Argus and aim to kick you in the nether regions even as they harsh your mellow emotionally. Is that the sort of dual-tracked abuse you want from your metal? If so, follow me to the punishment area.

    The gates open wide on the opening title track to reveal a powerful, punchy sound with burly riffs pushing the song forward as Leo Stivala (Forsaken, Pagan Altar) delivers manly, rough-hewn bellows and plaintive, somber tones as the moment requires. This is almost like vintage Iced Earth doing epic doom, and honestly, it works pretty damn well. Better still is “The Lighthouse Chronicles,” which takes you on a moody, emotional voyage over 7-plus minutes with hooks deployed expertly along the way to snare your ear. It’s plenty mournful and forlorn, but the epic energy crackles just below the surface and the riffs are meaty and forceful. The chorus is immediately memorable, supported by dour riffing that reeks of Paradise Lost. Add an intriguing midpoint segment that screams introspective Nevermore, and it’s clear Anchorite are onto something. Through it all, Stivala moves adroitly from rougher tones to weepy sadboi wails, convincing at all times. Showing Anchorite’s range, “Devil on the Throne” shifts to muscular, bluesy biker doom like Place of Skulls and Pale Divine. It’s less direct, more classically doomy, and 70s Sabbath jam-intensive. It checks all the boxes, and Stivala once again channels Warrel Dane’s potent spirit to good effect.

    If things had slipped a bit on the album’s back half, I’d still be pretty impressed with Realm of Ruin. Instead, you get shellacked by the majesty and might of “The Apostate’s Prayer,” which is half vintage Candlemass, half Sorcerer, and all badass. The guitar work here is stellar, and Stivala ups his game significantly for a vocal tour de force running across misery, grief, and soul-killing inner conflict. His despondent cries of “I have fallen so far” will give you goose bumps and pierce your cold, dead heart. This tune is aces. Closer “Kingdom Undone” is another big moment with a gripping chorus that blends classic metal, doom, and just a hint of power cheese for something extra hooky. It reminds me of the material on Human Fortress’ stellar Defenders of the Crown, but with a melancholic sheen slathered over everything. There are no duds here, and every track brings something interesting to the table, though they don’t all reach the same peaks as the aforementioned highlights. A few tracks suffer from slight bloating around the edges, but at 54 minutes, Realm of Ruin doesn’t feel overlong, nor would I want to see any selections cut.

    I’m quite impressed with Leo Stivala’s performance. He mixes forceful Jorn-esque bellows with effectively downcast classic doom singing and switches up his delivery enough to provide surprises and meet the material where it is. He’s got some of the same charm and appeal as Crypt Sermon’s Brooks Wilson, and also reminds one of Robert Lowe (Solitude Aeturnus) at times. Then there are the scattered Warrel Dane bits. Not bad company to find oneself in. Matching Stivala at each step is the guitar work by Martin Andersen. He blends classic heavy metal tropes with all the expected epic doom sounds and brings in touches of power metal to round out the experience. He delivers emotional moments in his solos and harmonies while keeping things heavier than one might expect. Impressive showing in all phases.

    Realm of Ruin is one of those albums you enjoy on the first go-through, and with each spin, it reveals more of itself until you’re fully submerged in the band’s craftwork. Anchorite have writing chops, and Realm comes fairly close to reaching the upper levels of doom glory. As it stands, it’s an immersive stroll through the ruins with moments of genuine brilliance and grandeur. I’ll be watching these cats closely because their potential is writ large. A happy surprise and well recommended.

    Rating: 3.5/5.0
    DR: 8 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
    Label: Personal Records
    Website: facebook.com/anchoritedoom
    Releases Worldwide: August 1st, 2025

    #2025 #35 #Anchorite #Argus #Aug25 #Candlemass #CryptSermon #DesolateRealm #DoomMetal #EpicDoomMetal #InternationalMetal #PaleDivine #RealmOfRuin #Review #Reviews #SolitudeAeturnus #Sorcerer

  14. Anchorite – Realm of Ruin Review

    By Steel Druhm

    2025 has not given me nearly enough epic doom. I need a lot of that stuff to offset my obsession with sub-basement phlegm-death, or my entire equilibrium starts to go pear-shaped and fall off the tracks. Luckily, international collective Anchorite are on the job with their sophomore opus, Realm of Ruin. Using the tried-and-trve sound profile of Candlemass, Solitude Aeturnus, Crypt Sermon, and Sorcerer, all the key landmarks are present, with heavy riffs, powerful vocals, and a sense of melancholy lurking behind the iron fistery. What gives Anchorite a leg up is a sizeable dose of testosterone and machismo in their doom chowder. They borrow from acts like Pale Divine and Argus and aim to kick you in the nether regions even as they harsh your mellow emotionally. Is that the sort of dual-tracked abuse you want from your metal? If so, follow me to the punishment area.

    The gates open wide on the opening title track to reveal a powerful, punchy sound with burly riffs pushing the song forward as Leo Stivala (Forsaken, Pagan Altar) delivers manly, rough-hewn bellows and plaintive, somber tones as the moment requires. This is almost like vintage Iced Earth doing epic doom, and honestly, it works pretty damn well. Better still is “The Lighthouse Chronicles,” which takes you on a moody, emotional voyage over 7-plus minutes with hooks deployed expertly along the way to snare your ear. It’s plenty mournful and forlorn, but the epic energy crackles just below the surface and the riffs are meaty and forceful. The chorus is immediately memorable, supported by dour riffing that reeks of Paradise Lost. Add an intriguing midpoint segment that screams introspective Nevermore, and it’s clear Anchorite are onto something. Through it all, Stivala moves adroitly from rougher tones to weepy sadboi wails, convincing at all times. Showing Anchorite’s range, “Devil on the Throne” shifts to muscular, bluesy biker doom like Place of Skulls and Pale Divine. It’s less direct, more classically doomy, and 70s Sabbath jam-intensive. It checks all the boxes, and Stivala once again channels Warrel Dane’s potent spirit to good effect.

    If things had slipped a bit on the album’s back half, I’d still be pretty impressed with Realm of Ruin. Instead, you get shellacked by the majesty and might of “The Apostate’s Prayer,” which is half vintage Candlemass, half Sorcerer, and all badass. The guitar work here is stellar, and Stivala ups his game significantly for a vocal tour de force running across misery, grief, and soul-killing inner conflict. His despondent cries of “I have fallen so far” will give you goose bumps and pierce your cold, dead heart. This tune is aces. Closer “Kingdom Undone” is another big moment with a gripping chorus that blends classic metal, doom, and just a hint of power cheese for something extra hooky. It reminds me of the material on Human Fortress’ stellar Defenders of the Crown, but with a melancholic sheen slathered over everything. There are no duds here, and every track brings something interesting to the table, though they don’t all reach the same peaks as the aforementioned highlights. A few tracks suffer from slight bloating around the edges, but at 54 minutes, Realm of Ruin doesn’t feel overlong, nor would I want to see any selections cut.

    I’m quite impressed with Leo Stivala’s performance. He mixes forceful Jorn-esque bellows with effectively downcast classic doom singing and switches up his delivery enough to provide surprises and meet the material where it is. He’s got some of the same charm and appeal as Crypt Sermon’s Brooks Wilson, and also reminds one of Robert Lowe (Solitude Aeturnus) at times. Then there are the scattered Warrel Dane bits. Not bad company to find oneself in. Matching Stivala at each step is the guitar work by Martin Andersen. He blends classic heavy metal tropes with all the expected epic doom sounds and brings in touches of power metal to round out the experience. He delivers emotional moments in his solos and harmonies while keeping things heavier than one might expect. Impressive showing in all phases.

    Realm of Ruin is one of those albums you enjoy on the first go-through, and with each spin, it reveals more of itself until you’re fully submerged in the band’s craftwork. Anchorite have writing chops, and Realm comes fairly close to reaching the upper levels of doom glory. As it stands, it’s an immersive stroll through the ruins with moments of genuine brilliance and grandeur. I’ll be watching these cats closely because their potential is writ large. A happy surprise and well recommended.

    Rating: 3.5/5.0
    DR: 8 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
    Label: Personal Records
    Website: facebook.com/anchoritedoom
    Releases Worldwide: August 1st, 2025

    #2025 #35 #Anchorite #Argus #Aug25 #Candlemass #CryptSermon #DesolateRealm #DoomMetal #EpicDoomMetal #InternationalMetal #PaleDivine #RealmOfRuin #Review #Reviews #SolitudeAeturnus #Sorcerer