Oppression is a band from Montreal that combines lo-fi punk with diversified vocals varying from black metal shrieks over low melodic clean lines to sarcastically theatric vocals. The lyrics are nihilistic and point out the flaws of mankind, flirting with topics like destruction, murder and suicide. Despite the gloomy subjects, the music is creative, dynamic and entertaining from start to finish.

Sovannak's vocals are certainly the element that makes this band stand out. He convinces with fierce guttural black metal screams, a lower melodic register that wouldn't sound out of place on a gothic metal record and theatric vocals that have an almost classical vocal approach. The instrumental work is much simpler and is generally mid- to fast-paced with simple canny drum patterns, unspectacular bass lines and simplistic punk chord progressions. The combination of more elaborate vocals and reduced musicianship gives Sociopathie & Gloire a quite unique identity.

This album could equally appeal to underground punks and experimental extreme metal fans. The band could work on its atmospheric soundscapes, fine-tune the instrumental work here and there and perhaps even offer a slightly improved production without losing its raw spirit but especially the vocals, concise songwriting and sinister lyrics make for a great discovery. This vibrant album features eleven focused songs with a perfect length of twenty-seven minutes and is only available on cassette thus far. If you find it in a specialized store, make sure to pick up a copy since you probably won't find one anywhere else.

Final rating: 75%

Ladies and gentlemen!

A wonderful year 2018 is about to come to an end. It's about to time to take a look at what 2019 has to offer. I will take a look at anticipated music, movies and video games. This post presents video games that I find intriguing that will be released throughout the entire year. Enjoy your discovery!

Life Is Strange 2 (Five episodes released through 2018 and 2019)

Metro: Exodus (February 22nd 2019)

The Sinking City (March 21st 2019)

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (March 22th 2019) 

Days Gone (April 26th 2019)

A Plague Tale: Innocence (TBA 2019)

 Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night (TBA 2019)

Control (TBA 2019) 

Cyberpunk 2077 (TBA 2019)

Death Stranding (TBA 2019)

Ghost of Tsushima (TBA 2019)

In the Valley of Gods (TBA 2019)

Skull and Bones (TBA 2019)

 The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man of Medan (TBA 2019)

 The Outer Worlds (TBA 2019)

Exiled is an extended play of Russian one-man doom metal project Talsur that consists of tracks that weren't included on fifth studio album Tormented released a few months earlier. It's not difficult to understand why the material didn't make the cut.Simply stated, it's quite boring.

''Hopes'' is an endlessly plodding numb doom metal track with bored clean vocals. ''Dying'' sounds like a lo-fi blackened doom metal track with occasional misplaced clean vocals. ''Home'' is an instrumental song with simplistic slow-motion acoustic guitar notes, simplistic slow-motion piano melodies and simplistic distorted guitar sounds.

The only redeeming track is the rerecorded version of ''Crimson Shadow'' that evokes a mysterious occult atmosphere, shows some appropriate vocal variations that don't sound out of place and actually features some mid-paced instrumental passages that don't make me fall asleep.

Overall, the material on this extended play is simplistic, plodding and overlong. Some songs have an eerie atmosphere, the cover artwork taken from a Thomas Cole painting blends in perfectly and the poetic lyrics are intriguing as well but those elements aren't enough to save this record. Ironically, the most essential element being the musicianship is this record's biggest flaw. Maybe Talsur should publish his poetic lyrics or sell them to an actual band that could create some more exciting music around them.

Final rating: 30%

 Ladies and gentlemen!

A wonderful year 2018 is about to come to an end. It's about to time to take a look at what 2019 has to offer. I will take a look at anticipated music, movies and video games. This post presents movies that I find intriguing that will be released throughout the entire year. Enjoy your discovery!

Escape Room (January 4th 2019)

The Vanishing (January 4th 2019)

Glass (January 18th 2019)

Twelve Children Who Want to Die (January 25th 2019)

Arctic (February 1st 2019)

Alita: Battle Angel (February 14th 2019)

Happy Death Day 2U (February 14th 2019)

Godzilla: King of the Monsters (May 31st 2019)

Artemis Fowl (August 9th 2019)

It: Chapter Two (September 6th 2019)

Kingsman: The Great Game (November 8th 2019)

Knives Out (November 27th 2019) 

 The last three trailers are fan-made teasers.

Ladies and gentlemen!

A wonderful year 2018 is about to come to an end. It's about to time to take a look at what 2019 has to offer. I will take a look at anticipated music, movies and video games. This post presents releases that I find intriguing that will be released throughout the first three months of the new year. Enjoy your discovery!

Soilwork's Verkligheten (January 11th 2019)

Ewigheim's Irrlichter (January 18th 2019)

Oomph!'s Ritual (January 18th 2019)

Phlebotomized's Deformation of Humanity (January 18th 2019)

Evergrey's The Atlantic (January 25th 2019)

Within Temptation's Resist (February 1st 2019)

Avantasia's Moonglow (February 15th 2019)

Dream Theater's Distance Over Time (February 22nd 2019)

Over Kill's The Wings of War (February 22nd 2019)

In Flames' I, the Mask (March 1st 2019)

Subway to Sally's Hey (March 8th 2019)

Anthem's Nucleus (March 29th 2019)