J. Andrew

Mare Cognitum: “The Paradox of Harmony and Strife”

February 14, 2020

“That harsh, cold, and uncaring nature of the cosmos contrasts well with its immense beauty, grandeur, and mystery atop a musical canvas like black metal.”

Obsidian Tongue: “A Way to Expel the Sadness, Anger and Fear”

February 7, 2020

“My only ambition is that the music has the capability to help other people release some of the negativity dominating them.”

Hot Graves: “We Thrive on Having Those Anthemic, Fist-Pumping Vibes”

January 31, 2020

Jump back into the steaming coffin of black, death, thrash and crust-fueled glory on “Haunted Graves,” from the upcoming EP from Hot Graves.

Track Premiere: Kvaen – “Septem Peccata Mortalia”

January 27, 2020

For those of you devoted to the power of the unholy riff, Sweden’s Kvaen strikes just the right balance of melody, glory and aggression.

Full Album Stream: Death. Void. Terror.- “To The Great Monolith II”

January 24, 2020

Gaze into the terrifying indifference of the universe with the latest emanation of Switzerland’s Helvetic Underground Committee.

Track Premiere: Azure Emote- “Loss”

January 23, 2020

On the new song, “Loss,” Azure Emote is quite simply experimental tech-death at its best: the ol’ razzle dazzle with a brain-scrambling twist!

Video Premiere: Banisher- “Devil in ISO 5”

January 17, 2020

Check out the new video from Poland’s Banisher, who use riffs to summon the demons birthed from isolation, insanity and violence.

Comfort With Disorder: Finn Mckenty of The Punk Rock MBA

January 10, 2020

Finn Mckenty breaks down what The Punk Rock MBA is all about, and dishes on death metal, “selling out” and why the DIY ethic is a path to success.

My Dying Bride Returns on “Your Broken Shore”

January 3, 2020

The high priests of beautiful gloom and sorrow have returned to offer their latest sermon. Check out My Dying Bride‘s “Your Broken Shore” here.

Drown in Aseptic’s “Cascading Fluids”

January 3, 2020

For fans of classic, 80s-style “cassette death metal” in the vein of old Death and Autopsy, San Jose’s Aseptic is your new capital ship.

Ordeals: “We Will Seize Everything We Can”

December 27, 2019

New York’s Ordeals specializes in a certain kind of darkness. The band’s sound is an entrancing and at times terrifying blend of black metal and death metal.

10 Great Albums for Winter

December 20, 2019

The cold, grim, dark months are upon us. Prepare for your hibernation with 10 excellent albums filled with riffs, sythns and screams.

Genfærd Builds the Stairway to a Bloody “Hævnen”

December 13, 2019

Genfærd‘s new song is a melodic and melancholy work of danish black metal mastery from their upcoming new album due out in 2020.

Unreqvited Guides You as Night Falls

December 6, 2019

Unreqvited are uniquely talented at keeping their influences intact while still merging them into a cohesive force of blackened melancholy.

Let Winter Light Take You “From Sea to Starless Skies”

November 29, 2019

Winter Light, a new force in melodic death metal, unleashes their new EP, From Sea to Starless Skies, packed with riffs and growls for days.

“The Black Candle Volume III: Sympathy for the Devil”: The Interview

November 22, 2019

What does the author of the new Black Candle book have to bring to the world? Silence. Lies. Lust. Blood. Worship. Ritual. Intoxication.

Full Album Stream: Obsequiae – “The Palms of Sorrowed Kings”

November 19, 2019

Castle-metal fanatics, rejoice! The latest excellent offering from Obsequiae is here and streaming in its full glory here at Decibel.

Despised Icon: Q&A With Guitarist Eric Jarrin

November 15, 2019

More than any other band, Despised Icon stands above the remnants of deathcore. Check out our Q&A with guitarist Eric Jarrin to see where they stand now.

Tune Into Frecuencia De Muerte’s “Death Frequency”

November 8, 2019

For anyone wondering what’s going on in the world of punk, Portland’s Frecuencia De Muerte is one of the best bands to watch.

Vadiat: An Assembly of Death Metal Veterans Delivers New EP, “Darkness Proceeds”

November 1, 2019

For fans of classic, straightforward darkness ala Amorphis and Bolt Thrower, Vadiat delivers on everything you could want in a death metal band.

Mæntrə: Introducing Your New Favorite “Grindustrial” Band

October 30, 2019

If you enjoy the brutality of tech death, but wish you could add some Fear Factory, Godflesh and Nocturnus into the mix: you need to listen to this band.

Progressive Bashers Lowcaster Issue New Album: “Flames Arise”

October 25, 2019

San Fran’s Lowcaster brings a unique voice to the world of progressive heavy metal: crushing and powerful, but still connects on a deep emotional level.

Teitanblood Unleashes ‘The Baneful Choir’ Album

October 18, 2019

For fans of noisy and crushing blackened death metal, a Teitanblood album release day for The Baneful Choir is a good day.

Formless Master Greets You at the “Fatal Impasse”

October 11, 2019

Formless Master, a new force in grindcore, will unleash their first round of attack on November 15 via Horror Pain Gore Death Productions.

Runemagick Opens the Dead Gates

October 4, 2019

The Swedish masters of slow, plodding and crushing death-doom return with “The Opening of Dead Gates” off their new album due out on October 25.

Obsequiae: “Our Inspiration Is in the Wells Beneath This World.”

September 27, 2019

The great Obsequiae has returned to guide us through another series of castles and courtyards on “Ceres in Emerald Streams.”

10 Great Albums for Autumn

September 20, 2019

Enter an eternal autumn of moors and misty fields, walk through blackwater parks of rain without end, and look to the October rust as night shades descend.

Track Premiere: Vesperith- “Fractal Flesh”

September 13, 2019

For those who like their black metal to take them places beyond Earth’s tired atmosphere, Finland’s Vesperith is the band to watch.

Track Premiere: Sepsis- “Facial Deformities”

September 6, 2019

Santa Cruz’s Sepsis is here to bring the rot on “Facial Deformities,” a fun, impressive and catchy blast of old-school death metal.

Track Premiere: Astaroth Incarnate- “I Am Fire / I Am Death (Alpha)”

August 30, 2019

Claiming the throne of what they call “Apocalyptic Metal,” Astaroth Incarnate‘s new song is a storm of symphonic black and death metal glory.