Weekly Spotlight, Week 28 / 2025

In the slump of mid-summer, it would be a shame to siesta on these releases from Wytch Hazel, Meth Leppard and Mortual.

The "overground" isn't much more lively, but not completely dormant:

Gaupa - FYR (EP)

Warkings - Armageddon

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Wytch Hazel – V: Lamentations

Genre: Heavy metal

Subjective rating: 4.5/5

Objective rating: 4.5/5

Country of origin: England

What a beautiful sound this album has. From the exquisite vocal quality to the warm embrace of the production, eager rhythms and tastefully understated but-ever-present riffs, it doesn't break stylistic stride for a single second of its 45 minute, 9 second runtime. For those unfamiliar, this is medieval-styled heavy metal of the NWOBHM-variant, and yes, it's retro, but not in a way that limits it. I raved about their 2023 release "IV: Sacrament", and am more than happy to repeat myself in regards to this one. Although its mood is a tad brighter than the slightly doomy feel of its predecessor, I still recognize the use of epic groove and moderate melancholy to be like "Ghost at their absolute best", to quote myself. It's not an album for headbangers, although it's not a sleepy affair. It's more about storytelling and overall vibes, but keeps surprising you with inspired instrumental contributions and gorgeous melodies.  

Highlights: "I Lament" and "Elements"

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Meth Leppard – Gate Keepers

Genre: Grindcore/death metal

Subjective rating: 4/5

Objective rating: 3.5/5

Country of origin: Australia

14 minutes and 33 seconds is short even in the coked-up-hummingbird world of grindcore, but the amount of ground covered by this Australian outfit on their second full-length makes you start to question just how much of the material on records three or four times the length is actually essential for the listening experience. To be fair, this stuff is extremely to-the-point. Boosted by roaring vocals and a vey death metal-esque rhythm section, this isn't quite your typical punky grindcore, but a merciless barrage of gut-punches in the irreverent and relentless style of fellow countrymen Werewolves. Yes, it's a tad one-dimensional, but it's also so damn focused and entertaining.

Highlights: "Mind-Ctrl-Alt-Delete" and "Algorithm & Blues"

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Mortual – Altar of Brutality

Genre: Death metal

Subjective rating: 3.5/5

Objective rating: 3.5/5

Country of origin: Costa Rica

This is death metal that's never seen the light of day. It's an abomination of the dark, hissing and gurgling curses from the shadows. The band is clearly much more concerned with vibes than any sort of innovative songwriting or crowd-pleasing attributes like groove, but it's also far from hopelessly drowned in a mire of noise or fuzz. Although it's not the most punchy thing in the world, the low-end is very much present and threatening, and it knows how to jab at your throat with its murderous and impressively precise riff work.

Highlight: "Fiendish Visions"