Have you ever felt the urge to wander through a moonlit forest, dressed in black, lightly adorned with black-and-white makeup, and draped in lace? Of course, neither have I—but that doesn’t stop me from being an avid fan of Jonathan Hultén. First, for his work with Tribulation (eternal longing) and later for his solo endeavors. His previous album (and its live version—yes, recorded in a forest...) was in heavy rotation at my place.

Unlike its predecessor, which was ... read more

An accordion, a saxophone, and a metal band walk into a bar. The bartender looks up and says, "Either this is the start of a joke or it’s the new Ckraft album." That joke was courtesy of ChatGPT—don’t look at me like that.

Here we are in 2025, diving into the latest album from the French outfit, an eclectic sonic journey packed with unconventional time signatures. Technically brilliant, it straddles the line between fusion jazz and metal… and yes, it features ... read more

Ah, the desert, the desert… I’ve never been there. The closest I’ve ever come to experiencing one was that time I had to fetch a football from the Guincho dunes—where, for a moment, I lost all visibility beyond those shifting waves of sand, threatening to swallow me whole. And yet, there’s something in this sound (which draws more than a slight inspiration from bands like Kyuss or Fu Manchu) that truly resonates with me, especially when it veers into stoner, ... read more

I can't quite grasp the deep affinity I feel for Eastern Orthodoxy—for these chants, the rituals, the burning candles, the black robes, the crosses, the skulls, and the blood dripping from their eyes. Of course, there are secular skeptics who tell me: "But in real-life Orthodox churches, there are no guitars, no black metal, and no blood flowing from skulls." And I say, the Prophet Elijah has mercy on them all the same, as I slowly bless them in the Orthodox manner.

What I ... read more

Another outstanding album from the Portuguese band, delivering yet another high-caliber release. Without straying from the core elements that define their sound, they venture into new textures and atmospheres, expanding their sonic palette with remarkable finesse. This record pushes the extremes even further than its predecessor, showcasing both more delicate, introspective moments and heavier, more intense passages. A must-listen for fans and newcomers alike. Highly recommended.