Seven years after their debut full-length offering Carnal Confessions, German epic doom metal ensemble Fvneral Fvkk now return from the shadows. The dubious priests have entered the sacred halls of the studio this very day, to conjure the as-yet-unnamed successor to their first sermon. This unholy offering shall be unveiled through Dying Victims Productions, the group’s new label. Read more…
Enemy Inside have launched an official music video for their newly streaming single, “R.I.P.”. The latter was produced and recorded by Evan K at Epsilon Studio. Mix and mastering was handled by Manuel Renner at Überlärm Studios. Read more…
Alright, friends, the world might be going to Hell in a handbasket, but that doesn’t mean you need be deprived of your monthly glimpse into the listening habits of the Last Rites Staff. In other words: It’s time for Staff Infections. Let us rejoice.
Having rejoiced, let us now see which album has seized the cherished prize of album of the month. First, the runners-up, three albums from two bands: A Forest of Stars with both Grave Mounds and Grave Mistakes and Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface, and Emperor with the classic Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk. If you know the Last Rites staff like I do, this month’s winner is no surprise. A disappointment, but no surprise. Neurosis has returned (minus one shithead, thankfully) with its first album in a decade, An Undying Love for A Burning World, and I’m sure the band’s fans are thrilled. I am not. However, If you need a second opinion, Craig has a review for you right here.
As usual there is a staff-curated Spotify Playlist for your listening pleasure just below, and we would be pleased if you shared your own playlist in the comments. For our group discussion this month, give us your favorite Neurosis album. I don’t have one. I was a pretty big fan of the group’s recent fallow period. Sadly, all good things must come to an end.
That’ll do for this edition. You all be good to yourselves and each other. If the world is still here next month, I’ll see you all then.
Zach Duvall Neurosis – An Undying Love for a Burning World Neurosis – everything else Twisted Tower Dires – Make it Dark Egregore – It Echoes In The Wild Fluisteraars – Dromers Hällas – Panorama
Andrew Edmunds Elder / Kadavar – Eldovar Melting Rot – Infatuation With Premeditation Black Crowes – Amorica Emperor – Anthems To Christopher Walken At Dusk Exodus – Tempo Of The Damned Paul Chain – Master Of All Times Van Morrison – Veedon Fleece Wolf Rambatz Ectovoid – In Unreality’s Coffin Bitter Branches – Let’s Give the Land Back to the Animals Corima – Hunab Ku DBR – Unbearable Tomeka Reid – dance! skip! hop! Xylitol – Blumenfantasie Danhammer Obstkrieg Ignobleth – Manor of Primitive Anticreation Neurosis – An Undying Love for a Burning World Raw Addict – Compulsion Lividus – Scarabaeus Janel Leppin’s Ensemble Volcanic Ash – Pluto in Aquarius Polygonia – Ceaseless Motion Captain Old Man Gloom – Seminar II: The Holy Rites of Primitivism Regressionism Old Man Gloom – Seminar III: Zozobra Old Man Gloom – Christmas Neurosis – An Undying Love for a Burning World A Forest of Stars – Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface Ben Seretan & John Thayer – Sunbeam of No Illusion David Fonseca A Forest of Stars – A Shadowplay for Yesterdays Archspire – Relentless Mutation Eternal Champion – Ravening Iron Emperor – Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk Sodom – Tapping the Vein Cult of Luna – Salvation Isaac Hams Callisto – Noir Slayyyyter – WOR$T GIRL IN AMERICA A Forest of Stars – Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface A Forest of Stars – Grave Mounds and Grave Mistakes An Axis of Perdition – Deleted Scenes From The Transition Hospital Spencer Hotz Neurosis – An Undying Love For A Burning World A Forest Of Stars – Grave Mounds And Grave Mistakes Emperor – In The Nightside Eclipse Cannibal Corpse – Kill Sectarian Defacement – Hostile Consuming Rapture Bekor Qilish – Consecrated Abysses Of Dread Jeremy Morse Iommi Watts – VIDETE CΛELVM (Watch the Skies) Incantation – Unholy Deification Black Breath – Slaves Beyond Death Defeated Sanity – Chronicles of Lunacy Iron Maiden – Somewhere in Time Mahavishnu Orchestra – Birds of Fire Lone Watie Jakabol – Leornian Emperor – Prometheus: The Discipline Of Fire & Demise Deathrow – Deception Ignored The Marshall Tucker Band – Where We All Belong Nujabes – Metaphorical Music Cal Tjader – Soul Sauce
US hard rockers Iconic will release its sophomore album [album band_id=17027], on July 31st 2026 via Frontiers Music Srl. To taste a first piece of the new music, give a listen to the song called “Cry No More”. Read more…
Wisconsin-based death metal entity Pig’s Blood have debuted “Standing In Depravity”, the newest single and opening track off their soon-to-be-released studio record Destroying The Spirit. Read more…
In September, the Finns Whispered will perform a string of headlining shows in United Kingdom. Direct support on all these shows will come from As The Sun Falls and The Drowning. Read more…
In wake of their upcoming album release The Secret Of Death, death metallers Desecresy now stream a visualizer video for the new track in preview “Crypthymn”. Read more…
It is my first time visiting Clwb Crown in Merthyr, Tydfil and what an occasion for a first visit. The 400-cap venue is completely sold out, and the crowd is eagerly awaiting the return of Merthyr’s favourite sons, Florence Black. The atmosphere is charged, and you just know, even before a single chord has been struck, we are in for a great night.
Whipping up the crowd by playing AC/DC’s Highway To Hell as an intro, by the time Florence Black hit the stage with the double whammy of Other Side Of The World and Coloured In, the Clwb Crown crowd are at fever pitch.
Florence Black are now all-conquering masters of their trade.
They mix melodic and metallic effortlessly, and the audience hangs on and sings along to every word. The incredible set we are treated to this evening ranges from their early EPs to their latest album, Pouring Rain, which has been out a week today.
Florence Black – Clwb Crown, Merthyr Tydfil – 17 April 2026. Photo: Georgia Brittain/MetalTalk
From monstrous riffs to melodic bliss, Florence Black gives us a masterclass in modern hard rock/Metal. There is no stage show as such, just the band’s logo on a screen behind them. They do not need theatrics. The power trio are entertaining enough.
Florence Black have been on a steady upward trajectory over the last five years or so and have worked their arses off to get where they are today. They have certainly paid their dues, and seeing and feeling the love in the room is a testament to their talent, work ethic and their down-to-earth attitude towards their fans.
Frontman/lead guitarist Tristan Thomas has been shorn of hair and has clearly been spending time in the gym. He looks and sounds great. He tells us that his voice is “fucked” and asks the audience to help him sing.
No one notices as both bass player Fozzy and drummer Perry are no slouches in the vocal departments either, and they complement each other perfectly.
Florence Black – Clwb Crown, Merthyr Tydfil – 17 April 2026. Photo: Georgia Brittain/MetalTalk
As the band work through their set, the crowd gets more and more boisterous and seeing the grins on the band’s faces as every word is sung back to them is priceless.
I look around and see that the audience ranges from young to…ahem…slightly older. Florence Black have that rare ability to appeal to everyone. We get a good mix of material from Weight Of The World, Bed Of Nails and Pouring Rain. The band show that they are now heavyweight headliners.
Tracks like Zulu, Start Again and Bed Of Nails feel like old friends. They are now part of our musical DNA. Rockin’ Ring, one of my favourite FB tunes, sounds incredible live. It has more of a sense of urgency, and the crowd goes nuts.
Florence Black – Clwb Crown, Merthyr Tydfil – 17 April 2026. Photo: Georgia Brittain/MetalTalk
A frenetic version of Budgie’s Breadfan pushes the crowd over the top, and Tristan has to tell them to “calm it down.” The mosh pit opens up, pushed on by drummer Perry, who is smashing his kit like it owes him money and whipping his head around like Linda Blair in The Exorcist.
It is an incredible moment, the audience loses all abandon, and I get a feeling that the Clwb Crown owners may be a bit concerned that their lovely venue will not look the same after the gig.
Florence Black – Clwb Crown, Merthyr Tydfil – 17 April 2026. Photo: Georgia Brittain/MetalTalk
Florence Black close the show with the wonderful Sun & Moon, which has the biggest sing-along of the night. Incredible stuff. The big leagues beckon for Florence Black, but one does wonder if now is the time to sign a record deal to ensure the world knows what we do, that Florence Black are world class.
Florence Black released their third album, Pouring Rain, this month. Available in several different formats, visit florenceblack.tmstor.es for more details.
Delour
Before we get to see and feel the sheer power of FB, local lads Delour take to the stage. The band stroll on with no fanfare. They do not need it. Over the next half an hour or so, we are treated to a set full of power and intricacy. Crushing riffs mixed with powerful vocals and melodies are the order of the day. Think of Sleep Token mashed up with the Deftones, and you are somewhere near the Delour vibe.
The band are extremely competent musicians, drummer Tom Williams reminds me of Gene Hoglan in stature and talent. A special mention needs to go to vocalist Aaron Roberts. He really is exceptional. Tracks including Drown Out the Silence, Hold Fast, and Sun Crusher are well received by the crowd, and I can hear the collective acceptance of the band by the Florence Black fans.
Even though the mix is slightly muddy, Delour’s power pushes through. Keep an eye out for Delour, they are something special.
