Filthy Music Review - 'Valdur: At War With'

Valdur - At War With (2013) 

BloodyMountain Records.

Review by Trevor Proctor

Valdur are a three piece black/death group from Mammoth Lakes, California and this is only their third full length release despite enjoying their tenth anniversary during 2013. At War With was recorded at California’s Earhammer studios with Greg Wilkinson in charge of production.

Filthy Music Review - 'Suffering in Solitude: A Place Apart'

Suffering in Solitude – A Place Apart (2013)

Domestic Genocide Records

Review by Jude Felton

If there’s anyone out there that would like to send me a complete and detailed list of all the sub-genres within “Metal”, I’d be eternally grateful. On a serious note, I believe there are only two sub-genres, and that is good and bad; although I suppose you could add mind-numbingly average into the fold. Suffering in Solitudes debut album, released on Domestic Genocide Records, falls firmly into the good category.

Filthy Music Review - 'Falkenbach: Asa'

Falkenbach – Asa (2013)

Prophecy Productions

Review by Jude Felton

Such has been the quality of output in 2013 across the board, in terms of extreme metal, that I have only just got to this fine album. It was released at the beginning of November, and I’m still kicking myself for not getting to it sooner. The sixth album from German outfit, Falkenbach, but first to my ears, is an epic, sweeping thing of beauty.

Filthy Music Review - 'Immortal Bird: Akrasia'

Immortal Bird – Akrasia (2013)

Closed Casket Recordings

Review by Jude Felton

We are all obsessed with quite where a band “should” fall in terms of genre, whether we admit it or not. It can be a help, and it can all be quite the hindrance, with bands crossing borders between this, that and the other. The open-minded rejoice, whilst the purists plot world domination from behind their keyboards, although at the end of the day all that really matters is whether the tunes are any good. Right?

Filthy Music Review - 'שְׁאוֹל (Sheol): Sepulchral Ruins Below the Temple'

Sheol - Sepulchral Ruins Below The Temple (2013)

Iron Bonehead Productions/Invictus Productions 

Review by Trevor Proctor

Roughly translated from Hebrew Sheol means grave or place of the dead and December sees the release of Sheol’s eagerly anticipated debut EP – “Sepulchral Ruins Below The Temple.” Consisting of only two members, A.B.S. (vocals, guitar, bass) and A.H.S. (drums and guitar) Sheol play a brutal, coarse, raw style of death metal interspersed with occult themes.

Filthy Review - 'The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones'

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013)

Review by Jude Felton

Book adaptations are certainly nothing new, in the world of movies but, thanks in part to the combined box office slaying by the Harry Potter and Twilight flicks, they can be huge business. The combined returns of those two franchises must be well into the billions. The target audience is definitely of a younger variety and savvy old chaps, that the film studios are, they are always looking for the next big franchise.