#slimelord — Public Fediverse posts

As AMG readers surely know, death metal and science fiction go together like science and fiction. Foundational and contemporary examples alike confirm that atonal riffing, guttural growling, and machine-gun drumming pair well with spaceships, aliens, and exoplanets. On the surface, Italy’s Into Darkness fit nicely into this milieu—that cover recalls the content of Spheres (Pestilence) and the color palette of The Key (Nocturnus).1 The band insists, however, that they do not play ‘sci-fi’ or ‘spacey’ death metal. Instead, Into Darkness describe Route to the Outer Side, their long-gestating debut album, as timeless death metal with a focus on ‘divulgative astronomy,’ which translates complex science into accessible language. Death metal, too, constitutes its own specialized language, with experts in the Commentariat ready to evaluate this Italian trio’s contribution to the discourse.

Route to the Outer Side took a while to arrive, but it enters the death metal stratosphere with a bang. Formed in 2011, Into Darkness released several demos, splits, and EPs before their first full-length. Doomed Warrior is the ‘Commander’ of this musical mission, handling vocals, a host of guitar duties (rhythm, lead, acoustic), and bass. Santo is ‘Pilot,’ propelling the Into Darkness ship with his dexterous drumming, while Filippo serves as ‘Mission Specialist,’ mixing more guitars into the melee.2 Despite their Italian heritage, Into Darkness claim Dutch death metal as their primary influence. Indeed, the razor-wire tones, thrash-doom fluctuations, and merciless rhythmic assaults recall Asphyx. I’m also reminded of Spiritual Healing-era Death, insofar as Into Darkness illuminates their tried-and-true murkiness with a tech/prog sensibility. For a more contemporary referent, one can cite the elevated nastiness of Horrendous, seeing as the band favors walloping production that isn’t too low-end heavy. The result is a familiar, consistent debut of quality death metal that rips, grooves, and punishes.

The big question is whether its concept elevates Route to the Outer Side. As an exercise in divulgative astronomy, each song emblematizes an object in the outer region of our solar system: the four gas/ice giants, the Kuiper belt, and—of course—little old Pluto. A peek at their lyrics proves that Into Darkness aren’t joking when they describe their songs as ‘divulgative’ (i.e. informative). In opener “Jupiter,” for example, Doomed Warrior shreds a squeal-laden guitar maelstrom while screaming quantitative data about the fifth planet: ‘Its mass alone, heavy might, outweighs what stands beside / Two and a half times the mass of the other planets combined.’ Like much death metal, the lyrics are generally inscrutable; in this way, the lyrics ‘don’t matter,’ as is frequently true in the subgenre. The informative lyrics are unique, however, seeming to map onto melodic shifts and key changes (“Saturn”). This mapping isn’t obvious, though, revealing a potential over-reading on my part.3 Lyrics aside, the songwriting doesn’t quite stick after the mission ends, but each individual journey excites in the moment.

At 41 minutes, Route to the Outer Side comprises a concisely expansive voyage, though it’s hard to see the galaxy for the celestial objects. One might expect the opening quartet of “Jupiter” through “Neptune” to grow increasingly icy; alas, the four giants play out as dynamic yet interchangeable onslaughts. Into Darkness sprinkles black-box-sounding voiceovers throughout, reinforcing the divulgative concept. “Halley” doesn’t feel especially ‘comet-like,’ but “Kuiper Belt” is a nice interlude into “Pluto,” which should be the closer. Its concluding guitar melody (akin to “For Whom the Bell Tolls”) fades out in album-ending fashion, whereas the closing title track is a brief rager that absolutely sounds like liftoff.

Into Darkness have created a debut that should please most fans of death metal. As long as listeners don’t go in expecting it to be cosmic or atmospheric (despite the cover), they’ll be fine. Route to the Outer Side isn’t terribly original, but it’s totally righteous. It also taught me a thing or two about our solar system, which I can’t say is a typical result of consuming death metal. I’ll definitely be looking to the skies for Into Darkness to reappear. Hopefully, the band won’t be like Uranus, taking ‘eighty-four years to reach the end / Of another lone journey.’

Rating: 3.0/5.0
DR: 6 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Dying Victims Productions
Websites: Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram
Releases Worldwide: July 24th, 2026

Bleed – Bleed Review

By Saunders

Record label dependability is a handy gauge for assessing quality in the crowded realms of the metalverse. The gauge isn’t always foolproof, but more often than not, a handful of trustier labels in the biz deliver on both quality and individuality. Pittsburgh-based record label 20 Buck Spin has championed many a fine band since its inception 20 years ago, boasting a diverse roster, currently including wide-ranging acts such as Fulci, Vastum, Slimelord, Bedsore, Tribunal, and Worm. It was a curious promotion of Texan band Bleed that piqued my interest. Even amidst the label’s solid variety and idiosyncrasies, on paper Bleed appear an unusual fit. Firstly, Bleed have no affiliation with the extreme sounds of many of their labelmates, instead leaning into a chunky and melodic alternative metal/rock sound channeling late ’90s and early ’00s vibes. Although carrying enough metallic clinks and weighty riffs, in many facets, Bleed fall into the metal adjacent category, bound to satisfy and repel this fine readership in divisive ways. With a solid 2021 EP under their belts, can Bleed add some fresh threads to an endearingly modern meets retro formula?

Nostalgia is a strong emotion in the music world, and Bleed ride those throwback feels hard across a tight and punchy collection of airy, spacey alt metal tunes. There is a deceptive versatility gushing from Bleed’s emotive songwriting. Shoegazing atmospherics, throwback nü grooves, Deftones-powered dynamics, and hints of Helmet, early Incubus, and Failure coalesce into a crunchy, riff-centric slab of moody alt metal. Bleed possess the chunky modern elements and fresh vibes to transcend mere throwback values. Furnishing fat riffs and fatter grooves with soft-loud dynamics, where dreamy, glistening melodies, subdued verses, and mellow breaks intertwine with nü flavored heavy rock and angsty alternative metal. The formula largely works to reel in the target audience, delivering a collection of compact, infectious, hooky delights.

Showing their hand from the outset, the chunky opening riffs and turntable scratching of opener “Climbing Down” deliver a retro trip. Bolstered by punchy riffs crashing over moody textures and an ethereal melodic sheen, the song plays on the band’s strengths. These recurring factors create the signature dreamy feel permeating the album, as Bleed prove talented musicians with a knack for hooky songwriting and tightly synced performances. Bleed’s formula it not overly complicated or flashy, yet they nail execution, the engaging melodies and catchy riffs creating a soothing atmosphere comfortable to get lost in. Keeping their writing on a tight leash, Bleed rigidly remain true to their formula, imbuing each song with individual character and throwing down the occasional curveball. “Shallow” dabbles in more subdued, acoustic-driven waters, featuring a chilled, almost hypnotic, psychedelic cadence, rippling with interesting melodies. The heavier vocal turns add a welcome edge to earworm nuggets on lead singles “Marathon” and “Enjoy Your Stay” (featuring Static Dress). Elsewhere, the riffs do the heavier lifting, driving the likes of “Fixate” and “Killing Time,” setting the stage for the shifting dynamics and enveloping melodies to take hold.

“Through the Cylinder” is another solid showcase of what Bleed do well, threading engaging melodies through an escalating arrangement, culminating in heavier vox and a bruising breakdown. Over the course of the album, singer/guitarist Ryan Hughes offers up deceptively earwormy, emotive vocal hooks, though his airy style may present as ‘whiny’ to some listeners, potentially being a deal breaker. The heavier backing screams and barks sporadically cutting through the mix create a pleasing counterpoint, and extra grit in the vocal department would be a welcome addition. Nevertheless, his chilled, emotive style has its charms, especially when coupled with the band’s sturdy riff foundation and floating melodic currents. Hughes and fellow guitarist Noah Boyce drive Bleed’s richly textured sound, combining subtle motifs, shoegazing vibes and cool atmospheric licks, with a memorable range of killer riffs and extra chunky grooves.

Bleed’s self-titled debut is bound to cause a buzz in the metal and rock scenes, while proving a divisive experience for many. As an impressionable youngster when the new millennium rolled around, with one foot in the extreme metal sounds and the other exploring the trends of the times, Bleed’s fresh spin on a retro sound forms a nostalgic, transportive experience with enough tricks and character to ground things in the here and now. And despite its flaws, Bleed’s endearing charms, muscular riffs, contemplative shoegazing, and subtly addictive hooks prove difficult to shake.

Rating: 3.5/5.0
DR: 7 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: 20 Buck Spin
Website: Bandcamp
Releases Worldwide: May 2nd, 2025

#20BuckSpin #2025 #35 #AlternativeMetal #AlternativeRock #AmericanMetal #Bedsore #Bleed #Deftones #Fulci #Helmet #Incubus #Review #Reviews #Shoegaze #Slimelord #StaticDress #Vastum #Worm

Just came out of a gig at #Vessel11 a cool venue in the #rotterdam harbour, featuring #cryptworm and #slimelord These two bands hail from the deepest British swamps. We are lucky their doomy, mephitic brand of #deathmetal didn’t sink the boat. Lovely stuff.

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#BrooklynVegan
11 Metal Bands to Watch in 2024
We asked an array of metal lovers what metal bands they think people should be keeping an eye on this year. Here’s what they came up with…

https://www.brooklynvegan.com/11-metal-bands-to-watch-in-2024/

#PierceJordan #SloGlo #Undulation #PeelingFlesh #KIM #Cheree #Slimelord #Uranium #Knoll #HullOfLight #TraumaBond #Agriculture