Cattle Hammer prepare to bring a not-so-cheerful Dark Thoughts with Lights Out

 February 6. That week after January's pay day. The first hints of longer days, when even black metallers manage the hint of a smile.

Well Cattle Hammer are preparing to smash any hint of positivity as they bring misery and gloom with the release of Fark Thoughts With Lights Out on the Road To Masochist label.

The press release is below. And to be fair it is one of best examples of finding every word for misery and gloom in the thesaurus. 

Press Release text:

With foundations of loss and desperation, bricks of countless small rejections and a mortar of indifference…adorned in carefully sculpted cruelties, with a watchfire of self hatred blazing out into the night; so is my tower of pain and isolation built, my black edifice, my fortress and my prison. And even in the utter solitude behind these cold stone walls I am not master of myself. Even here I am a slave to the voices, speaking from the past, making their whispered incisions in my tattered, wastrel soul.

“…that’s what you’re entitled to…pain, suffering, misery…”

- Cattle Hammer, ‘Rotting’

Formed in the spring of 2023 by Duncan Wilkins (Fukpig/Mistress/ex-Anaal Nathrakh), Cattle Hammer is a caustic, unforgiving blend of sludge, drone, impenetrable blackness and deep rooted negative emotion.

Their first outpourings of choking, bleak despair included the 71 minute, uninterrupted track ‘Methlehem’ – a declaration of just how far into the darkness they were prepared to venture. Now Cattle Hammer are primed to unleash their formidable debut full length album, an amalgamation of four of their most harrowing songs, Dark Thoughts With Lights Out…

The descent begins with ‘Gloomsower’, vocals like tortured spirits howling behind thick walls of sludge. It’s a slow, painful march, like wading through quicksand with each agonising step dragging you down a little deeper, the certainty of suffocating death a constant presence. The raw, organic sound brings a reality to the emotions expressed, creating a tangible link between the misery within and the sound without. There’s no gilded artifice, just a soporific dirge that vibrates through every cell…

There is no relief…

‘Rotting’ rises up through words of bitter judgement, carefully enunciated, before riffs like towering, quivering monoliths drag your heart down through your stomach. While clearly a distinct entity from ‘Gloomsower’, ‘Rotting’ further intensifies that doomed aura, continuing the process of entombment in misery. A deep lethargy eats away at time and you can almost see your skin wither as days bleed into weeks, months, years, empty decades between chords…

There is no mercy…

‘Watchmen, Alone’ jabs at your torpid consciousness with disorientating, disjointed bursts of sound before the black hammer descends in inescapable slow motion and a chasm of abyssal grief opens beneath you. It’s vicious, lumbering, brutish, vile and painful…

There is no hope but death…

The final disassembling of reality comes with ‘Body Puzzle’. The sheer scale of the riffs is terrifying, like being caught between colliding planets, while a voice of damnation injects fear and panic into the claustrophobic onslaught.

Dark Thoughts With Lights Out will be released by Road To Masochist on CD and vinyl on February 6th. It will leave you a weeping wreck, with your sense of self worth bleeding from your ears. It will take you beyond the point of no return. Is it cruel or cathartic? Harmful or healing? All of the above? Whatever it turns out to be for you…approach it with care.

Line-up:

Wilkins, D – Vocals/Guitar

Cartwright, I - Drums 

Wyles, J - Guitar 

Von Donovan, D - Bass

Indominus return with Black Lake single

Fancy something to waken up the neighbours - rudely?  Then look no further than the new single from Indominus. 'Black Lake' is a bruising piece of death metal from the quartet.

Those familiar with Indominus will not be surprised that riffs are delivered as if they were dropping concrete paving stones from great height, while the rhythm section drives an HGV through brick walls.

One wonders have they watched the Adam Curtis documentary Black Lake, because the anger generated from watching this documentary is neatly tied to the fury from Ricky's voice.

While Logan delivers slab after slab of tight riffs of down tuned terror, all bolstered by Mark's hardened bass rumble and the precision of Ben on drums.

Given that it is a few (three years) since the last major release from Indominus hopes remain as to when there will be more from them - hopefully not too long to wait.

REVIEW: Cursed Sun rise to invite us all revel in Rituals of the Shattered Mind

From the rabid rambling of the human species, Cursed Sun cut a swathe through the vacuous noise with a declared intent to kill off mediocrity, deal a death blow to the inept, and ask questions of the collective mental illness afflicting the populace in pain.

Rituals of the Shattered Mind is an ep packed out throughout with the extremities of the metal’s outer edges, 22minutes, five songs that smack listeners straight in the face, and leave devotees smiling.

However, that is not to suggest it is one dimensional, lacking in subtleties. Cursed Sun understand that a wall of noise becomes white noise when delivered without shades of darkness painted aurally. Instead, they add the touches that separate them from contemporaries who play the noise game without consideration.

From the off this is a declaration of contemplation and contempt aimed squarely at the “clowns” whose plans are conveyed as ‘The Experiment’ (video below). There has been discussion of this neoliberal western ideal, but Cursed Sun slam it in an echo of the documentary Hypernormalisation.

Underpinning the delivery is a solid, stomach rumbling rhythm delivered by Chris and Craig, with Monty’s rhythm weaving riff patterns.

On tracks such as Lunacy Act it provides the foundations to provide Jonny space to challenge listeners to engage with the solos, and Jonesy to expedite his rage.

It could be argued that all tracks stand equal on this release, but Devils Night stands out, with almost hypnotic playing and the sinister declaration of the significance of November 4^th (the Nazi SA established on this date).

Delivery of challenging subjects amidst metal is an overlooked aspect of the genre, yet Cursed Sun believe it is their Northern Ireland roots that mean they can add edge. And, who would dare disagree.

Cursed Sun were birthed with a vision in 2007, just a year after this blog was established by an ageing rocker. That vision from Cursed Sun is realised by Rituals of the Shattered Mind: five tracks consciously designed to make you think, make you headbang, make your fragile frame dive into the pit, and, smile like you’ve hit on the best drug – metal..

Sylosis release second single, Erased, from forthcoming album The New Flesh

Sylosis have a  new song out. Press release and video below

Late last year, Sylosis almost left a rift in the cosmos with furious track 'The New Flesh'. Now they're back for blood, delivering devastating second single 'Erased'.

'Erased' is taken from their upcoming seventh studio album, The New Flesh, slated to drop on February 20th via Nuclear Blast Records. The New Flesh is a towering testament to destructive riffing, incisive melody and refined brute force.

Sylosis stated,

"Erased was one of the last songs to be written for the album. As we were approaching the deadline to get everything submitted there was a pressure there that really helped shape this song into something special. There's a massive chorus here and one of our favourite middle 8 sections that we've ever put together. We can't wait to play this one live."

The New Flesh is available to pre-order in the following physical formats:

CD Jewelcase

Solid Red Vinyl (All Retail)

Sky Blue with Black Splatter Vinyl (NB/Band Variant)

Red and Sky Blue Corona with Vinyl (Band Exclusive)

The New Flesh - Tracklisting

01. Beneath The Surface

02. Erased

03. All Glory, No Valour

04. Lacerations

05. Mirror Mirror

06. Spared From The Guillotine

07. Adorn My Throne

08. The New Flesh

09. Everywhere At Once

10. Circle Of Swords

11. Seeds In The River

Sylosis have included a Dublin date, on February 22, two days after the release of The New Flesh.

Viking metal act LN release new single Shield Wall

LN release new single Shield Wall and sign to Rock People Management

And here’s the press release, only slightly edited and yes I have a soft spot for Viking Metal

Hailing from the North-East, LN are carving a powerful and immersive path through the modern metal landscape. Rooted in Norse mythology, witchcraft, medieval lore, and ritualistic storytelling, they blend crushing modern metal with atmospheric folk elements to create music that feels ancient in spirit yet fiercely contemporary.

In conjunction with the announcement of signing to Rock People Management, LN also release their new single 'Shield Wall' today, 9th January.

Built on thunderous riffs and ritual-esque intensity, ‘Shield Wall’ is a rallying cry written for LN’s fiercely loyal fanbase, affectionately known as the Peasants. The track channels unity and collective strength, translating ancient Viking battle traditions into a modern metal anthem.

Frontwoman LN Hirst says: " ‘Shield Wall’ was inspired by and written for the LN fan base that we refer to as our loyal Peasants. Their fierce support has got us to where we are today and we are extremely grateful for not only their love for the band, but for being the kindest and most generous humans. The opening lyrics “Peasants of LN, Peasants of now, join in our battle and follow the sound” is a call to arms for our steadfast clan, bringing them together in spirit and when played live, brings them together physically in a wall of death (a Shield Wall). The fist-pumping and body-slamming is surely a beautiful sight to behold, especially when there are blow-up shields and swords in the mix."

LN Hirst adds - "No matter who you are or what you look like, you are welcome with LN and the Peasant community will stand side by side with you to make sure you are safe and feel appreciated. ‘Shield Wall’ is about solidarity and we are proud to be able to welcome more Peasants into the clan."

Watch the video for Shield Wall below

 

Cursed Sun want you to descend into The Rituals of the Shattered Mind

 Just a quick word to sk you to check out the new Cursed Sun EP, Rituals of the Shattered Mind: you won't regret it.

Brim-packed with aggression, hooks and groove that will have your neck straining.

As usual they are tighter than a shark's arse and you can stream it right now on the usual digital platforms.

Your can check out the video for lead track, The Experiment, below.

Hopeful for 2026 - not if Engorgement have their way

 Well, 2026 is upon us, all those good wishes, the hopes of a peaceful and prosperous year. If Engorgement have their way it will be a really miserable year. 

The UK band will be released in March, glorying in the title They Rot Beneath Our Floor.

And rather than humble old me try to summarise the testament of black tales below is the press release in all its wonderful hyperbole. [I'm sure they are very nice boys who love their wives and mothers]. 

Here you go:

It’s been more than a decade since the UK’s Engorgement vomited forth their first full length album of unspeakable acts and heinous imaginings, the pulverising Excruciating Intestinal Lacerations – an album which Metal Kaoz succinctly summarised as being comprised of “serial killers, bowels and shitloads of blood”. Well now it is time for devotees of deviancy and slam addicts everywhere to rejoice, because Engorgement are finally set to unleash the second chapter in their tome of torture – They Rot Beneath Our Floor!

 

They Rot Beneath Our Floor is bookended by the unsettling strangeness of ‘Prelude To Your Dismemberment’ and the simply titled ‘Outro’ – and between those skin crawling lullabies all hell is let loose. Violent, caustic, beast-like vocals tear at the skin, while colossal riffs and punishing drums hammer at the skull. ‘Sanctum Of Gore’ offers titanic swathes of filth, juxtaposed with flesh-raking bursts of machinegun fire and ‘Complete Bowel Extraction’ summons visions of drowning in the detritus of the dead – a tide of entrails and organs washing over you as you choke on blood, blood and more blood. ‘Unmerciful Redemption’ is a test of endurance, with every chord hitting like a physical blow…the attack is relentless; the tempo varying but the iron fist punches never ceasing. They Rot Beneath Our Floor is grim, rotten and barbarous, a shocking incision that reveals the sickening decay that lies behind the facade of humanity.

 

Mixed and mastered by Floor Van Kuijk of Korpse, Sijjeel and Carnifloor at his infamous GLDCHN Studios, They Rot Beneath Our Floor possesses a formidable, festering power; every note and battering beat sounding raw, intimidating and dangerous. When Comatose Music unleash this perverse and pitiless beast upon the world on March 20th utter carnage will ensue. Engorgement are coming…and there’s room beneath their floorboards for you.