DEAD METAL

For previous posts about Old Tower, see  here . Hailing from Holland, the dungeon synth/dark ambient artist is as prolific as he is talented. This latest five track/twenty-five minute offering comes with the following blurb: These songs were commissioned for Dark Ages Workshop/Grimdark Compendium for their series of miniature painting tutorial videos for the game Trench Crusade. The music was made to enrich the lore and atmosphere of the Trench Pilgrims, one of the game's factions. The Trench Pilgrims isn't the first OT release we would recommend to someone that is unfamiliar with the back catalogue, but if you're a fan it certainly won't disappoint. You can stream it below, and download it for free  here .

The first Rothadás album was high on our 2021 top ten list , and the demo before it was also great. This new full-length is out on 21st March, with Me Saco Un Ojo delivering the vinyl release and Pulverised handling the CD. Google Translate tells us that the (Hungarian) title translates to "Thorn Garden... The Eternal Sense Of Temptation... Nightmare Bell"; and that "Rothadás" means "Rot". ...which is appropriately uncheerful, given that these guys are a death-doom band. We can't wait for this one, anyway. Pre-orders go up tomorrow, and you can listen to a teaser track below. Töviskert... a kísértés örök érzete... lidércharang by Rothadás

Můra's first EP made our 2021 top ten . Does this new offering stack up? It sure does. Out this coming Monday, on Doomentia/Caligari, Needle Cathedral is more of that righteous death-doom (with some black metal elements). There is a healthy balance between the slow groovy sections and the faster parts. Three tracks, twenty-one minutes ...and a thoroughly enjoyable listen from start to finish. You can hear the title track below, and pre-order a vinyl/cassette/digital copy  here . This Prague band is definitely one to watch, they show a lot of promise. Fingers crossed for a full-length in the not-too-distant future.

Game Over,  Nuclear Assault 's debut album, was originally released in 1986. ...but it was first released on CD in 1987, along with The Plague (a mini-album that had come out earlier in the year); and the two offerings have been packaged together ever since. This band is something of an acquired taste, owing to the high-pitched vocals; but you will (probably) come to appreciate them if you persevere. The production on this early material is also a little challenging (particularly if you pick up a remastered reissue), but (along with the three outstanding full-lengths that followed) it is still essential listening.

This Mexican one man band is well worth a listen. Stenched arrived on the scene in 2023 with an excellent demo ( Gorging On Mephitic Rot ), which featured six songs (if you include the two bonus tracks). Earlier this year a similarly-excellent Headsplit compilation contribution ( Disemboweled ) surfaced. ...and the debut full-length is about to drop. Being delivered to us by Me Saco Un Ojo,  Purulence Gushing From The Coffin is more of the same putrescent goodness. Eight tracks of unpolished caveman death metal, it is an extremely consistent and enjoyable listen. Moreish stuff for sure.

The title translates to "Behind The Doors Of A Transcendent Arcana". It (and all of the songs) are in French owing to Sedimentum being Canadian. Brought to us by Me Saco Un Ojo/Dark Descent, this three-tracker is the band's doomiest effort to date. Some clear Incantation influence, hints of Evoken in places, and a few twists all of their own. The EP, clocking in at 21 minutes, is one of 2024’s finest releases. You can stream it below, and purchase a copy here .

Old Tower has been featured a number of times  previously . This Dutch dungeon synth/dark ambient artist never disappoints. Described as "a conceptual release" rather than an album, Portrait Of A Medieval Presence does lean more towards the ambient side of things. Eight tracks/thirty minutes of eerie soundscape, which comes with the following synopsis: heretics unjustly burned at the stake, the masses laughing at their despair, a new inquisition is on the rise... the cancer of civilization is circular, not linear. patterns repeat, the same portrait is painted every time. the canvas is dark, rotten, full of mold and stench. the painting a semblance of pain, knowledge and hate. we are the new dark age. You can preview it below, and purchase it here . Portrait Of A Medieval Presence by Old Tower