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In the early '90s, a band named Timeghoul, which only released two demos before disbanding without much attention, has, since the 2010s, spawned a wave of numerous "ghoullike" bands. Amid the old-school death metal revival that began in the late 2000s, several excellent “second Timeghouls” have emerged. Among them, Desolation Realm, hailing from Oslo, Norway, stands out as a band that has achieved significant musical distinction. Though this review focuses on Desolation Realm's self-titled debut EP, I began with an extended introduction to Timeghoul because their shadow unmistakably looms over Desolation Realm’s music. Nevertheless, this band manages to deliver music that is impressive in its own right.

Timeghoul’s belated rise in popularity can be attributed to the unique… More

In the summer of 1984, with the specter of Big Brother looming in the background, two significant records were released back-to-back—Haunting the Chapel by Slayer in June and Ride the Lightning by Metallica in July. Both bands, who had borrowed elements from speed metal that had existed since the '70s and was being played by various bands in the early '80s, intensified the speed metal characteristics and infused them with their own unique style, creating the new genre of thrash metal. While both bands’ debut albums also contained tracks with elements that could be classified as thrash, they didn’t present as cohesive and definitive a sound as their subsequent works. However, despite both being thrash metal bands, it’… More

This EP is undoubtedly one of the best NWOTHM releases of 2023. Though it’s a short record with only two tracks, each song offers its own distinct appeal, and the overall composition is highly satisfying. While their previous self-titled EP wasn’t bad, it couldn’t escape feeling like a mere replica of the '80s. In contrast, this EP firmly establishes their unique identity while significantly elevating the quality of their music, delivering top-tier NWOTHM.

The tracks "Rogue Warrior" and "La Fuerza Negra" each demonstrate different characteristics. The former emphasizes a more melodic side with a mid-tempo pace, while the latter stands out with its faster, speedier execution. Both songs stick to a traditional structure, with repeating verses and… More

Intranced is definitely a band worthy of attention among the NWOTHM acts of the 2020s. Fundamentally, this band knows how to craft genuine "heavy metal riffs." In a genre where straying too far from the legacy of the '80s is often seen as a flaw, Intranced has a strong grasp of what traditions to preserve. However, the NWOTHM genre should not merely be a simplistic, anachronistic revival of music from 30 to 40 years ago—just as the Renaissance was not a mere copy of Greco-Roman antiquity, NWOTHM must be a "new" rebirth to find its true significance. This is where the EP leaves something to be desired.

Excluding the intro "Ángeles Nocturnos" and the outro "Danza Macabra," this EP… More