Author: Team Uber

Bloodywood – ‘Rakshak’ (Self-Released)

Jonny B feels like he’s been waiting an age for this album after stumbling across this relatively unknown band a few years ago. When he first heard them, he was immediately taken aback by the unique combination of aggressive metal and traditional Indian music, it was almost like Bhangra with extra BHANG! This was coupled with an ability to not take themselves too seriously, which was made abundantly clear with their metal cover of viral hit ‘Tunak Tunak Tun’ which cemented Bloodywood in JB’s regular plays. More recently, it seems that the ÜK metal community has caught on to this cultural phenomenon with a slot at the 2020 Bloodstock event… which didn’t happen, so it rolled over into 2021… which they were unable to make. Nevertheless, we’re hoping that this year will be third time lucky as the Bloodywood hype just keeps on building, and expect it to gain even more momentum with the release of debut album ‘Rakshak’ which our man was fortunate enough to get an early listen to!

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ARÐ – ‘Take Up My Bones’ (Prophecy Productions)

ARÐ constitutes a solo project by Mark Deeks, who earned his PhD in Philosophy on the topic of ‘NationaI Identity in Northern and Eastern European Heavy Metal’. Perhaps best known as one third of ÜK black metal stalwarts Winterfylleth, Mark keeps himself busy as a musical director, arranger, piano coach and conductor as well as a bestselling author. On ‘Take Up My Bones’, Mark is supported by Wolcenmen mastermind Dan Capp on guitars and backing vocals. He is also joined by Atavist drummer Callum Cox, and a spellbinding performance from cellist Jo Quail (My Dying Bride et al.) The line-up could almost read like a super group.

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Minneriket – ‘Gjennom meg går ingen til hvile’ (Self-Released)

Norwegian black metallers Minneriket have just released their fifth album. The sounds of nature were all recorded by Stein Akslen while on field trips and include owl and wolf sounds. In all, Stein has spent six years working on this album and “it is dedicated in loving memory to those we have lost”. Stein plays guitar, bass, keyboards and sings, so this sounds like a solo album, and he is obviously a very talented man. Our man Bona was informed that this album might appeal to fans of Myrkur, Jinjer, Cradle of Filth, Dimmu Borgir, Arch Enemy and Evanescence in equal measure, so he was quite looking forward to getting into this review. ..

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