BURDEN OF DESPAIR ~ Confutatis (2025)

Well, if I didn't know I had a brain, I do now because its just seeped out of my ears halfway through 'Confutatis' the debut full length from Japanese band Burden Of Despair. This is doom/sludge/death of the highest and unbelievably heaviest calibre. 

I love the fact that Japanese doom often mixes hints of stoner and psychedelia within its dirges but with 'Confutatis' Burden Of Despair has swept away any hint of branching out into slightly calmer aural pastures. Calamitous riffs of Uranium groove dominate your senses from the funereal lament of the opening track 'Slaughterfaith' all the way through to the deathlike hardcore tinged stomp of the final song 'Godforsaken.'. The unstoppable doom death dissonance ripping right through the blackened heart of 'Confutatis' adds chaos to the burgeoning mix and a menacing vocal delivery heightens the sense of foreboding.

An absolutely pulverizing release. An Event Horizon. The point of no return.

Behölder ~ In the Temple of the Tyrant (2025)

 BIO 

Behölder was formed in late 2021 by guitarist Carlos Alvarez (Shadowdance, ex-Power Theory), a lifelong fan of both D&D and old-school doom metal. It seemed only natural for him to fulfill his long-standing vision of bringing the two worlds together musically, but opportunity was ever elusive. When inspiration and timing aligned as his former band went on hiatus, he quickly composed nine songs. However, the project truly came to life when vocalist John Yelland of US power metal band Judicator joined in late 2022. With a powerful and theatrical voice, ranging from grandiose to truly sinister, he was the perfect choice to bring life to the stories being crafted.

Guitarist Matt Hodsdon soon joined the duo, followed by drummer Andrew Julkowski, both from progressive metal band Chaos Frame. As recording commenced in November 2023, bassist Michael “Oneirous” Sanchez (King Ov Worms, ex-Judicator) joined in early 2024, completing the lineup. With the band assembled, so too was their debut album, In the Temple of the Tyrant.

My thoughts on this fine album ~ A hugely impressive debut full length from Behölder. 'In The Temple Of The Tyrant' is inspired by the epic mythology of the likes of Dungeons & Dragons but this album explores deeper more arcane, subterranean levels with a devilish foundation of Candlemass like doom interwoven with the cutting edge and theatrics of classic power metal. Spells are cast and dragons are slain as the multitude of riffs and solos vie for battle honours glorified by the vocals of John Yelland resonating in triumph.

With 'In The Temple Of The Tyrant' Behölder has conjured up a potion of such spellbinding heavy metal alchemy that this first chapter will surely not be the last.

For fans of Candlemass, Solitude Aeturnus, Sorcerer, Memento Mori Etc

ANOINTING THE SICK ~ Sludge Dirty 30 Volume 4

 The first playlist of 2025 is armed and ready to be downloaded. It's non-curated so there's over 2 hours of the (im)purest sludge to dissect and consume.

~ Embrace The Sickness ~

The Abominable Iron Sloth / Bardo / Canyon Of The Crescent Moon / Darkmysticwoods / Egeria / Fange / Garadama / Hairy Mary Caterpillar / Icos / James Brown Gang / Kantamus / Lahius / Magnolia / Nautilus / Obsidian Sword / Path Of Might / Rain / Sadhus The Smoking Community / Taser / Ulme / Vails / Wall / Yore / Zozobra / Abrams / Bardus / Caphre / Darqo / Eibon / Fattura Della Morte

FREE DOWNLOAD

Tria Prima ~ Three Primes of Alchemy (2025)

 

BIO

The band was created in September 2024 in the city of Zhitomir(Ukraine) by members of various other famous Ukrainian projects(ex-Drudkh, ex-Lucifugum, ex-Blood of Kingu, Lutomysl, Bestial Invasion, Cosmic Jaguar and Violent Omen). The band's style is characterised as Death Metal with elements of Doom and Dungeon Synth. The main concept and theme of the band is alchemy and its different forms. In a short time the band recorded a 4 song mini album ‘Three Primes of Alchemy’ and shot a music video for the song Solar Sulfur with guest vocalist Anira. The band is currently working on a new full-length album, which they plan to release in the second half of 2025.

MY THOUGHTS

Ukrainian Alchemists Tria Prima blend death, thrash and doom metal stirred by the use of keyboards and symphonic harmonies into a punishing brew of raging riffs starting with the opening track 'Solar Sulfur' which begins in grandiose, operatic fashion before brutality is unleashed with a devastating death/thrash fury. The use of keyboards particularly during the more death/doom sections of the album adds a creepy dynamism studded with blistering solos and the excellent production ensures that the symphonic elements adds an extra tasty layer rather than dull the overall crunch of the guitar.

Based on the excellent quality of this 'Mini Album' I'm really looking forward to what the band has in store later this year with the release of their full length album.

ANOINTING THE SICK #237 ~ Where The Gallows Once Stood

 

Hold onto your breeches because The Anointing The Sick Show #237 is now available to stream or download. Opening with the folky, doomy tones of Distorted Reflection and bleeding out with the Italian jams of Rainbow Bridge.In between is a cacophony of thrash, death, doom and a lengthy section of stoner sounds. The filth pit has spewed forth a track off the new Holy Death album 'Paradice' while another of the heavy newies 'Buena Muerte' by Ocultum also crushes all in its path on this show.

~Embrace The Sickness~

Distorted Reflection

Emergency Rule

Bird                                              NYP Bandcamp

Necrowretch

Tim's Favourite

Exa

Jaggu

Astral Wizard                               Doom Charts Aug '23

Pander

Easy Death

Cactus Cathedral

Foetal Juice

Ocultum                                        Doom Charts Feb '25

Holy Death

Rainbow Bridge

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