Greet - I Know How To Die

Labels: Dry Cough Records/Fiadh Productions

Formats: Vinyl/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 17 Oct 2025

Tracklist:

1. Keening

2. No More

3. Revelry

4. The Leather Knight

5. May

6. The Mire

7. The Seer

8. The Dig

9. The Battle

10. Eulogy

There's a part of me that felt like this blog had run its course over the last twelve months. It's grown bigger than I could've imagined over the last fifteen years, yet I've held back from allowing it to grow even more, which is my own failing I guess. With all that said though, I'm wanting to give it another proper push. Let's see...

October saw the release of the newest album I Know How To Die from Leeds, UK dark folk act Greet. Greet's sole-member and songwriter Matthew Broadley gathers together all manner of instruments from guitars and percussion, to flutes, synthesisers and a harmonium to create drone-laden folk music that befits the act's surroundings. It was released on tape via US label Fiadh Productions and on vinyl, also via Fiadh Prods and one of my favourite UK labels Dry Cough Records.

Beginning with the teasing opener ‘Keening’, Greet is joined by Steve Von Till, who provides spoken-word lyrics to a backdrop of choral vocals and droning synth/harmonium. It’s eerily soothing, especially when set against the swirling winds of Storm Bram outside. It’s also surprisingly full of volume, as ‘No More’ shows. There are so many elements at play here, so many different instruments, all led by the harmonium. I’ve never been drawn to folk music before but Greet’s association with Dry Cough/Fiadh and bands that shall remain nameless here drew me in.

The upbeat Celtic influence that flows through ‘Revelry’ could make it the perfect song to see in the New Year. Please excuse the tweeness of that last sentence but ‘Revelry’ reminds me of how the Scots celebrate Hogmanay, to name but one example. As the album progresses, you begin to notice that Greet’s other instrumental elements come to the fore over and above the harmonium. ‘The Leather Knight’ sees the vocals sitting in a more prevalent spot, alongside layered choir-like backing singing and the medieval tones added by a flute.

‘May’ is initially mournful in tone but it’s mood is lifted by vocal melodies that sound way jollier than they should. It’s not a lengthy song and it goes by fairly quickly. It is engrossing though and I’m really warming to this album. Folk is such a broad term when it comes to music and even dark folk seems to have a spectrum all of its own. ‘The Mire’ feels like an interlude at just over a minute in length, but it’s one that’s filled with the haunting voices of those who have walked the moors and valleys where Greet calls home.

As ‘The Mire’ fades and flows into ‘The Seer’, there’s a feeling of unease and tension as rhythmic percussion beats beneath the characteristic melody of Greet. It has its own persona amongst the more upbeat songs on this album, making it standout somewhat. The beautiful birdsong and almost rhythmically ambient sounds of ‘The Dig’ make up the album’s final interlude and lead to ‘The Battle’, which is ominous in its title.

Again, authoritative percussion joins the musical fray, helping to keep the rhythm alongside the harmonium. It’s solely instrumental and as it finishes with a trance-like passage, it leads into album closer ‘Eulogy’. A fitting title perhaps, as it’s where Greet delivers a more expansive sound with guitar melodies and glorious violin provided by Simon Barr. The vocals draw you in one last time, hypnotically so. 

As a music listener, I have often stuck to my own stubborn tastes; moving from the immediacy of hardcore and extreme metal, to post-rock/metal and experimental heaviness with the odd pop record infiltrating my listening habits as years have passed. I Know How To Die left me with such a sense of calm this evening that I think I might be moving into another phase of that musical journey. This album is fantastic and I’m so glad I took a chance on it.

You can stream and purchase the album digitally below, where it's also available on physical formats (albeit they're running low!):-

You can also buy the album on physical formats from the labels below:-

Dry Cough Records - https://www.drycoughrecords.com/product/greet-i-know-how-to-die

Fiadh Productions - https://fiadh.bandcamp.com/album/i-know-how-to-die

Dry Cough Records - https://www.facebook.com/DryCoughRecords

Fiadh Productions - https://www.facebook.com/fiadhproductions

Inosuke - Allomancer

Labels: Dancing Rabbit Records/Dingleberry Records/Friendly Otter/HellaDecentRecords/New Knee Records/Oliver Glenn Records/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 03 Nov 2025

Tracklist:

1. a thousand years of ash and mist

2. the well

3. god metal

4. braving the new world

5. catacendre

I first discovered US doom/screamo duo Inosuke back in late 2023 thanks to Zegema Beach Records and reviewed their debut LP rage/ruin in January of last year. They released their newest EP 'Allomancer' in November and kindly got in touch to let me know about it. They must know that I really appreciate bands who release music on a regular (annual) basis. Once again ZBR had a hand in this EP's release, alongside the other excellent DIY labels mentioned above.

Even before I hit play on this EP, I have to call out the amazing artwork by Martin McCoy (alongside the layout by Matt Quietsch) It’s so striking, especially with the autumnal colours. EP opener ‘a thousand years of ash and mist’ sounds way doomier than anything that was on rage/ruin to me, and a lot more off-kilter too. Inosuke as a duo work so hard to create a huge soundstage when they’re in full chat. When they quieten down, the atmosphere that takes hold is equally as big.

It’s often astounding how a band’s song-writing and creativity can be translated musically. From percussion to guitar and piano to vocals, Inosuke grow with every bar. ‘the well’ is less than half the length of Allomancer’s opener yet it’s instrumental twists and turns make it feel just as long, as the semi spoken-word/screamed vocals join in during it’s latter-half. They remind me of somebody else in their delivery, but I can’t remember who right now (it’ll probably come to me in the middle of the night!).

I genuinely hope that ‘god metal’ is a humorous swipe at religion in metal. All I know though, as the piano-led instrumentation gets louder and the vocals get harsher, is that it’s a subtle angst-laden song that doesn’t outstay it’s welcome.

Penultimate song ‘braving the new world’ sees Inosuke retreating to a doomier position stylistically and I’m all for it. The riffs of Jason Kallicragas are excellent, while the drumming of Erik Anderson is truly pummelling at its most manic. Equally, Jason’s vocals (as I’ve already said) are vicious but also audible, which is rare. Erik’s recording and Jack Shirley’s mix/mastering helps to bring it all to life too.

Ending with ‘catacendre’, Inosuke move in an orchestral direction once again. This time, it’s solely the piano that leads with ambient sounds underneath. It’s a lovely way to end this EP. Inosuke have managed to chart their own path through the ever-growing tundra that’s made up of every band that’s vying for your attention ever! If you’re a fan of heavy screamo music or you’re just screamo-curious (sorry!), this is the release you should listen to next.

You can stream and purchase Allomancer digitally from Inosuke below:-

Inosuke - https://www.facebook.com/inosukeband

You can still grab physical copies from the labels below:-

New Knee Records - https://inosuke-knr.bandcamp.com/album/allomancer

Zegema Beach Records CAN/INTL - http://www.zegemabeachrecords.com/zegema-beach-releases/allomancer / USA - https://zbrusa.com/collections/zbr-releases/products/allomancer

Dancing Rabbit Records - https://www.instagram.com/dancingrabbitrec/

Dingleberry Records - https://www.facebook.com/DingleberryRecords

Friendly Otter - https://www.facebook.com/friendlyotterrex

New Knee Records - https://www.instagram.com/newkneerecords/

Oliver Glenn Records - https://www.instagram.com/oliverglennrecords/

Zegema Beach Records - https://bsky.app/profile/zegemabeachrecords.bsky.social

Sun of the Dying - A Throne Of Ashes

Labels: AOP Records

Formats: Vinyl/CD/Digital

Release Date: 21 Nov 2025

Tracklist:

1. Martyrs

2. Black Birds Beneath Your Sky

3. With Wings Aflame

4. The Greatest Of Winters

5. The House Of Asterion

6. Of Absence

I seriously need to do something about my inbox, but that's for another day! When I chose to write about the newest full-length from Spanish doom-death band Sun of the Dying, I had no idea it had been six years since their previous release The Earth Is Silent, which I wrote about back in December 2019. In cooperation with long time supporters AOP Records, Sun of the Dying have released A Throne Of Ashes on CD and vinyl formats, as well as digitally.

I find that I can listen to pretty much any genre of metal at any time of the year, but listening to doom-death on a dark/cold December night makes the experience even greater. Sun of the Dying open their newest album with the majestic ‘Martyrs’, which is filled with soaring gothic-like melodies and passages of searing death metal. I could draw on many comparisons here from both Scandinavia and the UK, but I’m not going to. It’s better that this music is allowed to stand alone.

You’d be forgiven for thinking that after such a melodramatic opener, Sun of the Dying would perhaps move in a more uptempo direction given the shorter length of ‘Black Birds Beneath Your Sky’; instead, they present a more minimalistic approach during the verses, which is punctuated by melodic choruses and heaviness that’s joined by choral brightness. 

This release contains boat loads of musical maturity, as the guitars, percussion and keys demonstrate throughout. ‘With Wings Aflame’ is beautifully symphonic early on and the mix of Eduardo Guilló’s deep melodic tones/harsh growls and the clean vocals of guest Antinoë seem to elevate the song and Sun of the Dying’s sound further as it progresses. 

This sextet has mastered the art of throwing the listener off the scent when it comes to musical direction, as ‘The Greatest Of Winters’ highlights. From the fast, blasting intro to the doom-laden verses to follow; there’s no room for guessing what Sun of the Dying are gonna do next. What they do is inject the song with a breathy mix of introspection and death metal ferocity all rolled into one cohesive package. The keys towards the end are absolutely beautiful too.

Penultimate song ’The House Of Asterion’ is heavy right from the off but once again, Sun of the Dying lull you into a false sense of security (for those of you who prefer your doom-death leaning more towards death metal), as they drop back into another loverly melodic passage soon after. Some might say that their song-writing and structure is traditional in one sense, but at the same time there’s an unexpected nature to it as well. The mix of gothic gloom, downtempo heaviness and orchestral unease accentuates that point.

Closing with ‘Of Absence’, Sun of the Dying have one more chance to explore their exquisitely melodic side, where keys and guitars rule over the drums as the harsh vocals enter the fray,. Thankfully, the vocals don’t overpower the music as a whole and add to what is a gloriously emotive song, filled with fantastic melodic elements.

This album is a beautiful body of work from a band that continue to forge their own path. The only genuine similarity I can draw on here would be Portuguese doom/death band Moonspell; however, Sun of the Dying in their own right need to be appreciated. Epic and thought-provoking in every sense.

You can purchase A Throne Of Ashes on all formats from Sun of the Dying below:-

Physical copies can also be ordered from AOP Records here - https://shop.aoprecords.de/gb/49-sun-of-the-dying.

Sun of the Dying - https://www.facebook.com/SunofTheDying

AOP Records - https://www.facebook.com/aoprecs

Car Bomb - Tiles Whisper Dreams EP

Labels: Self-Released

Formats: Vinyl/CD/Digital

Release Date: 01 Aug 2025

Tracklist:

1. Blindsides

2. Paroxysm

3. Tiles Whisper Dreams

It's the 1st of December today, which means it's officially acceptable for people to put up Xmas decorations (if you're in the UK, you'll know what I'm on about). What it doesn't mean though is that you can publish your end-of-year lists; save that for 2026. With that out the way, I'm not done with 2025, as this review demonstrates.

US Mathcore/Metal band Car Bomb self-released their newest EP back in August. After forming in 2000, they have pretty much been self-releasing all of their music; save for their 2007 full-length Centralia and a split 7" with Burnt By The Sun, which were both released via Relapse Records. This EP saw the light of day just over two years after their Live At Santa Cruz album in 2023.

The progressive end of metal has been growing exponentially over the last couple of years and Car Bomb slotting themselves back into that growth makes complete sense. Tiles Whisper Dreams sees them making use of the EP format perfectly. Starting off with ‘Blindsides’, Car Bomb waste no time in plunging you Into a sense of confusion with fast/slow instrumentation and harsh/clean vocals. There’s no point in hoping for a traditional verse-chorus-verse structure because that’s not what they’re about; instead, you should expect music that pushes boundaries in terms of time-signature and sound in general.

‘Paroxysm’ is a lot more immediate in delivery and a lot more aligned to the prog-metal of Meshuggah to begin with, before Car Bomb switches it up with grinding tempos and disgustingly good breakdowns. At times the clean vocals remind me of Chino Moreno from Deftones, but only just. At the end of the day, whatever comparisons I come up with mean nothing really. Car Bomb are very much their own beast and that’s how it should be.

Closing with the title-track ‘Tiles Whisper Dreams’, Car Bomb deliver one last dysfunctional, crazy blast of mathcore. It leans towards more straightforward metal early on before growing into mind-bending extremity later on. It’s performed with such passion and professionalism from beginning to end, as is the whole EP to be honest.

It’s often hard for bands to convey their sound to listeners during such short EP’s. Car Bomb being Car Bomb though, they manage it perfectly. The world may be getting caught up with AI and how It’s going to take over and enslave us all, but one thing it can’t do (yet at least) is make music sound genuine. Thank Jebus for both metal and Car Bomb.  

You can buy this EP on all formats directly from Car Bomb below:-

Car Bomb - https://www.facebook.com/CarBomb