For Fans Of: Napalm Death, Lamb Of God, Bolt Thrower

We need to talk about Misery Index. They haven’t done anything wrong, it’s just that they’re one of the most intense bands currently doing the rounds and yet nobody ever seems to mention them. Since forming at the turn of the millennium, they’ve evolved from a rabid death-grind riff-machine into a slightly more nuanced death-grind riff-machine, culminating in their magnificent 2019 album Rituals Of Power.

That record was the finest of their

Avatar frontman Johannes Eckerström looks very different in casual mode. When he performs live, he’s a psychotic, face-painted ringmaster who delights in spurring crowds into a frenzy. But offstage, he’s laidback, polite, and disarmingly friendly. His trademark clown make-up is nowhere to be seen and he’s a delightful person with an optimistic outlook. And given the events of the past two years, it’s pretty surprising.

Back in 2019, Avatar looked like they were about to go interstellar. Avatar

Well, this one’s a very pleasant surprise. Acoustic albums aren’t always the most exciting; most of the time they come burdened with a glaringly obvious ‘contract obligation’ subtext and feel more like placeholders than essential purchases. It’s refreshing then to say that Acoustic Adventures Volume One isn’t like that, it’s really good.

Stripped of their power metal bombast, Sonata Arctica are a far more sombre and poetic band. Their usual headbanging is replaced by laidback introspection and

Yorkshire quartet InVisions have been stalwarts of the UK metalcore scene for a while now. With two albums under their belts and a third on the way, they’re starting to tap at the glass ceiling and could be on the verge of a breakthrough. Tonight’s gig in Southampton demonstrates how dedicated they are to putting on a show, even when the odds are stacked against them.

This is the sort of gig that’s best described as a mixed bag. On the plus side, all the bands put in committed and enthusiastic

For Fans Of: At The Gates, Bloodbath, Katakl

After decades plying their trade, Hypocrisy have become very good at writing melodic death metal. So long as you don’t expect any significant boundary-pushing and are happy without any surprises, Worship is a pretty decent record. Peter Tägtgren and his not-so-merry-men seem to be settling into a comfortable middle-age and make no effort to rock the boat, but their thirteenth album is still an enjoyable listen.

Predictably, it’s a mix of fast, thras