symphonic metal

Nine Circles ov… Colin’s 2023 So Far

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We’re already coming close to the halfway point for 2023 and since I’ve had too much going on to actively seek out new music recently, I figure it’s time to highlight albums that have made some degree of impact on me over the past few months. Aside from one or two exceptions I don’t expect many of the albums here will join Enslaved and Dødheimsgard on my AOTY list; nevertheless, they deserve a shoutout, even if the wheel isn’t being reinvented.

I’ve made sure to select albums that haven’t been featured on the site yet (aside from popping up in our weekly playlist or mentioned on the AOTM podcast), so let’s dive in with a chronological look at what 2023 has had to offer so far.

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Profile: Jordan Milner of The Breathing Process

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The Breathing Process

The fact that The Breathing Process set a benchmark back in 2008 for infusing symphonic black metal into deathcore coupled with the fact that their just released fourth full length, Labyrinthian, is their best yet is nothing short of impressive. In fact, there’s very little ‘core’ left to their sound other than a brutalicious breakdown here and there. It’s an album that steps on the gas just before the green light and doesn’t let off until the last second of its nearly an hour runtime and EPIC is definitely a worthy descriptor, particularly when the symphonic aspect of their sound trickles in around the edges. We recently had the chance to pose our Profile questions to guitarist Jordan Milner to get some insights so read on to see how it went down and be sure to snag a copy from the links contained within.

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Album Review: Ad Infinitum — “Chapter I: Monarchy”

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Ad Infinitum

At this point, everyone knows how I feel about symphonic metal, and I have discussed at length about how the genre has been severely over-saturated over the years. However, this genre just keeps pulling me back, a siren’s call to those who hold out some hope regarding something new that is not coming from the pioneers and the well-known bands of the genre. As such, when I see a new band with the symphonic metal label, I immediately stand up and take notice of what they could potentially do. After all, finding a diamond within the grime and the white noise in a genre is the one thing that makes this old cynic want to give symphonic metal another chance. Ad Infinitum is that chance, as their debut Chapter I: Monarchy, checks all the boxes that makes good symphonic metal great. Continue reading →

The Path to Paradise Begins in Hell – Addendum, Part I

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The Path to Paradise Begins In Hell

It’s been a hot minute since I wrote anything for the column. I have been trying to take things easy in the meantime, but life has been fucking with me. Not only has it been giving me more things to be concerned about, but has led to a worsened mental state and a depressive episode to boot. Don’t worry, though – I am feeling a lot better and I am in a better place mentally. With that in mind, we can now move towards talking about the leftover albums I didn’t have time to discuss. Continue reading →

Premiere: Dialith – “Libra”

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Dialith - Extinction Six

Connecticut may not be the first rock you pull for symphonic metal but Dialith hope to change that with their debut full length, Extinction Six, due out August 16 on the band’s Bandcamp page. Their 2017 EP, Through Stone, hinted at the power they harness through melodic riffs and towering vocals but Extinction Six pulls the ace out of the proverbial sleeve and offers all anyone could ask from heavy, symphonic metal. Today, we are pleased to bring you an exclusive premiere of the album’s fourth track “Libra” to whet appetites of what to expect come release day so head directly below to get your fill. Continue reading →