I discovered Coroza in 2019, when they then released their debut album Chaliceburner through Paranoid Beast Records. I was impressed. Very impressed in fact. They were doing well and then we all know what happened next…
Things went quiet after that with Ciaran focusing on Astralist and maybe Coroza had become a victim of that time? A lot of Irish bands folded throughout that era. But no, they never went anywhere and were working away in the background getting ready for another assault.
The band have released two tracks ahead of release aka Scorched Earth and the album’s title track As Within. Having heard them I knew this band really had something in the tank, and I was right! This album is absolutely amazing and a definite album of the year contender. There’s so much going on that it takes a couple of listens at first to fully process, but the more you listen the better it gets.
This is a musical journey that basically hooks you in and will not let go. It’s relentless, and some of the best musicianship I’ve heard in a while. It just shifts through the gears effortlessly in regards to tempo and tone.
Overall this is easily one of the best Irish albums I have heard and without doubt one of the best in regards to their genre. It won’t be for everyone, but if you like sludge/doom with an few more touches in there, you’ve got an absolute masterpiece here and your album of the year. It’s the perfect album, so it gets the perfect score.
10/10
Check out their previously released tracks Scorched Earth and As Within below.
UK sludge trio IRON MONKEY have released their new song “Off Switch” from their forthcoming new full-length, Spleen & Goad, set for release on April 5th through Relapse Records!
On Spleen & Goad, the legendary band is as uncompromising as ever, churning out some of the grittiest sounding sludge doom in their twenty-five-plus year history. Dubbed a “doom sludge vanguard” by The Sludgelord, IRON MONKEY lives up to their legacy, absolutely pummeling through each of the nine tracks on their new album.
From the two-ton, heavier-than-anything-else riff opening “Concrete Shock,” IRON MONKEY shows no signs of easing up; fuzzed out guitars crash against pulse-pounding drums, set against vicious, misanthropic snarls and barks. Elsewhere, tracks like the aptly titled “Rat Flag” kicks the band into high gear with palpable fury and malaise.
IRON MONKEY was formed in the year 1994AD in the city of Nottingham, England. The original members were J.P. Morrow, J. Rushby, D. Dalziel, S. Watson, and J. Greaves. IRON MONKEY released six tracks of raw sludge-core via the label Union Mill that were later re-released on Earache Records. During this period S. Watson was replaced by D. Berry.
1998 saw the release of the album Our Problem, widely regarded as a masterpiece of negative rock. This was succeeded by a split EP on Man’s Ruin Records with Church Of Misery from Japan.
IRON MONKEY destroyed itself sometime in 1999. Vocalist J. Morrow died from heart failure in June 2002. Rest In Noise…
The band reformed in the winter of 2016 with original members J. Rushby and S. Watson with the addition of the then Chaos UK drummer Brigga. As of 2023, IRON MONKEY are back with a new lineup featuring founding member J. Rushby and D. Berry from the Our Problem sessions and ex-Widows drummer Z. Big.
Get ready to embark on a legendary musical voyage! The mighty Irish Pagan Metal Vikings, REN MARABOU AND THE BERSERKERS, have just unleashed a groundbreaking announcement: they’re joining forces with the renowned Wormholedeath label for their much-anticipated album, “Helgafjell”, set to electrify the world on March 29th, 2024. This isn’t just an album; it’s a saga waiting to be told!
“The Berserker camp is buzzing with excitement! We’re absolutely thrilled to partner with the incredible team at Wormholedeath,” exclaimed the band with fiery enthusiasm. “This collaboration with Carlo, Nat, Max, and the entire WHD crew is like forging a new sword – sharp, strong, and ready for battle! We’re also immensely grateful to our allies at Splitscreen Management for navigating us to this epic milestone. And a roaring thank you to everyone at Wormholedeath Records for welcoming us into their rock n’ roll tribe. Stay tuned – ‘Helgafjell’ details are soon to follow!”
“Helgafjell,” The Sacred Peak, isn’t just an album; it’s a tribute, a myth, a journey through time and legend. Every track in this album is a meticulously crafted masterpiece, drawing inspiration from the depths of Norse Mythology, with an unwavering commitment to historical accuracy and mythological authenticity. “Helgafjell” is a soul-stirring tribute to Ren’s Father, Micka, who passed away in September 2022. It delves into themes of Life, Death, and the Norse Mythology Afterlife. The track “Holy Mountain” is a powerful homage to Ren’s Dad, a true warrior with a lion’s heart, now residing in the glorious Norse Afterlife, ‘The Holy Mountain’ – a place of eternal bliss for the righteous.
Every aspect of the album, from its evocative artwork by the talented Terence McCann of Blackdog Graphic Design to the captivating photography of Kathleen Curran, has been woven together with precision and passion. Ren Marabou himself has masterfully orchestrated the recording, mixing, and mastering of all tracks at Skåld Studios, ensuring that each note resonates with the spirit of the Norse legends.
The album ‘Helgafjell’ features an epic tracklist that reads like a saga: 1. The Journeys of Rig 2. Ran’s Hall 3. The Price of Glory 4. Curse Striker 5. Gramr the Bloodstained Beast 6. In the Hall of Gimle 7. Live and die by the sword (Einherjar) 8. The Duel of flint and steel 9. Idunn the Ever Young 10. Holy Mountain
Thanks for checking out my top ten new Irish bands list. This could have easily been 20, but time is against me and ten will have to suffice. This was really difficult, but here they are.
XIII Doors
This band are heavily experienced and dropped two absolute bangers in Lead The Way and Unleashed The Beast this year. Their album is on the way and no doubt it’s going to be absolutely brilliant. A big year ahead for the lads.
Limerick based Steiner released their debut EP First Contact early this year. A really good start for the lads. A great EP that was unlucky to miss out on the top 10.
Barmp are a three piece band based in the south east of Ireland. The band features Ritchie formally of Kerouac, and clearly an experienced bunch of musicians that released a cracker in their self titled debut EP.
Adversary started off as a solo project for Sean Hynes, that has now morphed into a three piece with his brother Tomas and uncle Shane Cahill of Death The Leveller and previously Mael Mordha. They have released one track as of now, but next year will tell a different story!
North west based Kraik released their debut single Effigy this year. A heavily experienced band featuring past members of Pursuit of Ruin, ProXist among others. They’re off to a flier.
The band have no Facebook page.
Imperial Demonic
Imperial Demonic are a band of heavily experienced musicians that released their debut EP Beneath The Crimson Eclipse to a great reception. We’re in the business end of this list now and this band had to get into the top five. A brilliant EP.
From here on in it could be anyone basically. All are excellent and had a great first year as an active band. Nebularis had a great year with three well received singles and an album on the way early next year. A band on the rise that are as good live as they are on record. A big year awaits!
This band will be number one for a great many, and for good reason too. They’re a special band that sound like themselves, which is rare! A truly great band that are unfortunate to finish third, but the top two are my top two and third is hardly a personal attack or the like. It’s so tough to pick. All three are number one…
Uragh were a complete unknown a few months ago. It’s not the case now! Coming from nowhere with an explosive live set that got them to the final of Metal 2 The Masses, and the dropping of their now debut single Monarch has really got people talking. They dropped another track Decimate which was also excellent, but it hasn’t been deemed enough to be included on their debut album which is coming soon. That’s a serious sign! A special band brewing here. I can see big things all going well. These lads can play! One to watch!!
The story of LaVein will live long and will never happen again. Formed at the tail end of last year they immediately hit the ground running. Their debut EP Fine Failure, and a performance at Bloodstock Festival after winning the Metal 2 The Masses final after a handful of gigs. In just mere months. Incredible! The band originally couldn’t find a Bass player, so a member of the bands brother just picked it up and learned it. That’s unbelievable! An amazing first year, and have to get first place when you consider all. It’s a story for the ages, and as I previously said, it won’t happen again!
That’s my top ten new Irish bands of 2023. As I said, it could have been 20 but time isn’t my friend. The Enigma Division dropped their debut album this year, but as they released music in 2019 I couldn’t include them. Asylum Road are officially releasing their music early next year, so they’ll be on next years list I’m sure. Another whooper year for the Irish scene and I’ve already got a few advances in. We’re in for another vintage year for sure! The Irish scene has never been this strong and the bar keeps getting raised.
Thanks for checking out my best international album post. The international scene is massive as we all know, with quality releases coming on a near constant basis. With Burning Metal I generally feature the Irish scene almost exclusively. A big reason is time. There could be ten releases in any given week, so that’s enough generally speaking as I don’t have time to check out music as I once did. I’ll still dip my toe in though when something is getting rave reviews or highly recommended.
Urne are a bit different though. I discovered them at Bloodstock 2021, and they were one of the best bands that weekend in my opinion. I followed up on them after and discovered their album Serpent & Spirit, which absolutely blew me away and was my album of the year at that time. So damned good!
I heard they had a new album coming out and naturally I was hyped for it. I did not expect this though! What a step up from the lads! It’s mad to think a three piece can have this sound. It sounds huge! It has definitely got at least 30 listens over the course of time, and every time I return to it, I’m in from the start until the end.
Every now and then a truly band comes along, and Urne are that band! Joe and Angus have played in a few different bands together over the years (Hang The Bastard) and grew as a unit to the point they have a real chemistry and the obvious will to push themselves all the time. They ain’t settling for good. This has to be great!
The result is an absolute masterpiece in A Feast On Sorrow. An album I’ll still be returning to many years from now and will always enjoy it. I’ve heard other great international albums this year, but nothing tops this in my opinion. All hail Urne!!
Thanks for checking out my top 20 Irish albums of 2023. Like the previous lists there will be no text. Just links to the music for you to check out. You don’t need my waffle anyway. Hopefully this introduces you to new music. Some really good stuff on this list.
That was my top 20 Irish albums of 2023. Apologies for the lack of text, but time is never my friend. I’ve got best new bands and best international album to come. Likely the 28th and 29th? A stellar year for the Irish scene!
Thanks for checking out my top twenty Irish EP’s list. This will be a very basic post as time is against me and want to get it out now. Links to all included and no words. You don’t need my input anyway. Check them out and make up your own mind.
Thanks for checking out my top 20 Irish singles list. This will be a very basic post as time is my nemesis and want to get it out. No words on any of the bands/projects on this list. Their name and a link to their music/social media is all my time allows. You don’t need my waffle anyway. Check them all out and make your own decisions.
Indominus are set to unleash War tomorrow. Their first new material in many years. At times over the years it had seemed they had hit the wall, but Mark and Logan kept going and found new members in Ricky and Oak to continue their musical journey.
This track will be a surprise to long term fans at first, as it’s a lot more direct and rawer than their previous works. In the past they had dual guitars and a lot of leads etc. That’s all out now and they’ve moved more towards slam in regards to their sound than what we had come to expect in the past. It works though, and this is the best they have sounded in years. They have the line up now to take them forward and have proven they can deliver the goods in a live setting.
2023 was the rebirth of Indominus and 2024 is looking good too. Be sure to check out War tomorrow on wherever you stream music.
Dublin based Crossfire are set to release their debut album Switch To Reset tomorrow via Wormholedeath. This is a band I’m aware for a long time now, going all the way back to the Face Melter days. Remember them? Not today or yesterday now. They were very young at the time, but you could see the lads had something in the tank. I didn’t think it would take the best part of ten years for them to release their debut album, but that was how it worked out and maybe taking the long road will benefit them far more as they look towards a very big year. They’re a force of nature live and have massive experience now to work from.
So, is the album any good? Yes, it is! In fact, listening to this is as strong as any great thrash album you can think of. It’s genuinely that good! Consisting of eight tracks that absolutely level it from start to finish for the first seven tracks. The albums final track Prometheus is a far different beast as it’s an almost eleven minute long instrumental track. Don’t let that put you off though. It’s absolutely brilliant, like every track on this album.
All in all, this is without doubt one of the best albums I’ve heard this year and stands alongside any great thrash album you can think of. It’s going to be in my forthcoming Irish top ten albums of the year for absolute sure, and you’re all in for a treat tomorrow.
Burning Metal 