Newcomers Intercepting Pattern try their hand at the masterclass of songwriting. The Encounter is a 30-minute jazz metal experience. Read More
Looking Back: Gojira – From Mars to Sirius
In 2020, Gojira’s monumental From Mars to Sirius celebrates its 15th anniversary. In this issue of Looking Back, we will take a look at one of the heaviest albums in the history of metal. Read More
Conjuror – Spiritus Levàte
The true Conjuror has risen! From the american wilderness three warriors emerge to proclaim: It is done. A triad of anthems levitate the spirit. Spiritus Levàte is the new EP by the trio of Troll, Set, and Lurk under the Conjuror name. Read More
Catching Up: Havukruunu, Gorrch, Haken
This selection is the last part of the Catching Up series for now. This final set features triumphant pagan anthems, mind-bending technical black metal and a catchy prog excursion Read More
Catching Up: Paysage d’Hiver, Serment, Somniate
There’s yet more June releases to talk about and back into the black reaches of metal we go. This selection features a contender for the Top 10 of the year that I’ve been waiting to be able to talk about. Read More
Bongbongbeerwizards – Albong
L. returns to the Vortex with another guest review. Take a sneak peek at the new Albong EP by german doom trio Bongbongbeerwizards. Read More
Catching Up: Hail Spirit Noir, Valdrin, Circle of Sighs
After the darker shades of the first part, we’re easing up and broadening the scope. In the the second part of Catching Up, we enter the futuristic, the mythical and the occult. Read More
Catching Up: Enslaved, Foretoken, Árstíðir Lifsins
After an involuntarily break from writing for the Vortex, I want to cover some of the releases that came out in the meantime. Over this short series of posts, I’m going to work through the last two months chronologically. Read More
Conclusion of a Decade Part 6: 2015
I remember 2015 as the year of technical death metal and caverncore for metal at large. Around this time, I also began digging deep into the various nooks and crannies of the genre. As a result, the selection for this entry is much more diverse. From supergroups to newcomers, from post-hardcore to black metal. 2015 also brought two albums into my life that made it near the top of the end of the decade list. Read More
Pyrosis – Pyrosis
Another premiere for the Vortex. This time it’s a guest article written by musician and friend of the Vortex L. of Brache and beculted. With his review of pyrosis, L. takes us on an immersive journey into uncharted territory. Read More