Back catalogue: Metal

Review: The Italian psychedelic-sludge trio, Ufomammut, have spent more than twenty years crafting and refining their unique, conceptual blend of all things cosmic and hefty.

On 'Fenice', their ninth full-length and first to feature drummer, Levre, they lean even further into the proggy, space-rock tamperings with layers of ethereal synths and heavily vocoded vocals, helping to elevate this latest concept album to transcendental heights.

Originally conceived as one extended piece before opting to divide the work into six separate movements, Ufomammut return with a towering, complex opus that desires repeat listens in exchange for constant, hallucinatory reward.

Review: Departing Roadrunner Records for the more fitting label home of Century Media, Portland, Oregon's Unto Others (FKA Idle Hands) have consistently been referred to in the music press as the likely torch bearers of the goth-metal revival, with many even heralding them as the 21st century successors to The Sisters Of Mercy or Type O Negative. While their macabre 2019 debut Mana and the more abrasive sophomore effort Strength both provided glimpses of this perceived greatness, it's with their highly anticipated third full-length Never, Neverland the band truly seize the mantle and rise to the weighted pressure. Tapping producer Tom Dalgety (The Cult, Ghost) has proved a stroke of genius, as his experience and melodious sonic penchants allow for glossy synthwave to pulse beneath gloomy, gothic, lovelorn death-rock bangers as accessible and instantaneous as they are menacing. Dust off your black shades and leather jacket, it's cool to be a sad, verbose goth with a deep voice again.