Crypt Sermon - The Stygian Rose + Saturnian Appendices (2024 & 2025)

I was about to review Crypt Sermon latest album The Stygian Rose when I found out they have an EP (Saturnian Appendices) coming out this month, so you'll get a review for both at the same time. The Stygian Rose has been hailed for good reasons as one of the best recent release in a heavy/epic doom metal vein, with main influence being probably Candlemass and the other one Iron Maiden, and I also evn hear a touch of Megadeth (mostly because the vocalist reminds me of Dave Mustaine at times, but not only because of that). It is really an album anyone into old school metal could love. And what about the new four songs EP Saturnian Appendices? Those songs are from the Stygian Rose studio session, so it's in the same vein, and doesn't sound like leftovers the quality level as well is similar, and the unexpected Mayhem cover (De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas) is a nice touch, so I totally recommend it as well. 

 The Bandcamp page.

 

Amyl and the Sniffers - Cartoon Darkness (2024)

Cartoon Darkness, the third album from Amyl and the Sniffers, released last year, manages to be as good as the previous one, also full of catchy songs full of energy, and with sarcastic, fun and smart lyrics, and again great vocals from Amyl. I'm telling you, maybe you don't know it yet, but you need Amyl and the Sniffers music in your life.

 

The BC page. 

 

The Young Gods - Appear Disappear (2025)

Yes, The Young Gods sounds eternally fresh, neither from the past nor in the present, but in their own time dimension. And every album is a new variation in their blend of industrial rock/metal and psychedelic rock, and... their own stuff. On their new one Appear Disappear we get more nice songs with heavy guitars, grooves, but also plenty of subtle atmospheres, melodic and/or trippy in their own special way. With good vocals either in French (they're from Switzerland) or in English, with poetic lyrics. Strongly recommended, as usual!

 

The BC page. 

 

Unsu - Darkest in The Sun (2025)

Unsu are from North of France and Darkest in The Sun is their second album (and seventh release) and is a very solid and convincing piece of modern grindcore, evoking both Nasum and Rotten Sound. Recommended.

 

The BC page.

 

 

Black Magnet - Megamantra (2025)

Black Magnet is no more a one-man band and is now a quartet, but the music on their third album Magamantra itself didn't change much, their industrial metal still sounds heavily influenced by industrial metal from the 90' and especially, and maybe even more than previously, by NIN and Marilyn Manson. In fact it's a good time travel machine taking us back to 1996, and it would be a good companion to the Trent Reznor produced Antichrist Superstar MM album. Overall it is quite nice, I enjoy the trip!

 

The BC page. 

 

The Shits - You're a Mess (2023)

We had The Stooges, and needless to say they were awesome, then came Brainbombs, and they are still awesome, and now we also have The Shits, who are awesome as well. Thank the mad deities of wild and twisted rock'n'roll, listen to You're a Mess, and rejoice!

 The BC page. 

 

Meth Leppard - Gatekeepers (2025)

Saw Australian grind duo Meth Leppard live a few days ago (at Les Passagers du Zinc in Besançon, with promising local grinders Proudhon and Travolta from Belgium who also put up a good show) and it felt a bit like being hit by a demolition truck. Believe it or not, I enjoyed it! Vocals are a bit too uniform, but cool riffing and the drummer is a relentless beast. What about their second album, Gatekeepers? Might be the best release yet, with the inclusion of slightly more nuanced moments, while staying pure old school grind rampage.

 

The BC page.