blood music

War in Pieces: "Bellum I," the First Half of Aquilus' Symphonic Metal Masterwork (Early Stream + Interview)

After ten years, Australian symphonic (and much more) metal act Aquilus returns with a follow-up to “Griseus.” We spoke to mastermind Horace “Waldorf” Rosenqvist — learn more about the album’s creation and check out an early full stream here.

Master Boot Record's Dark Synthwave Injects Cyberpunk Into New Adventure Game "VirtuaVerse"

We dissect this thoroughly enjoyable (and dark) new point-and-click cyberpunk adventure game by Theta Division, featuring Master Boot Record whose soundtrack is both befitting and bewildering.

Öxxö Xööx's "Ÿ" Invites Bedlam to the Avant-Garde

We dig into “Ÿ,” the latest hyper-idiosyncratic work of French avant-garde doom outfit Öxxö Xööx, to unpack its esoteric array of sounds and effects.

Progspot #1: Irreversible Mechanism, an Irreplicable Machine

IO Staff Writer Thomas Hinds unveils an exegetical new column where he dissects then reassembles the complexities and contortions of progressive metal; the Belarusan tech-death duo-turned-force fit the inaugural bill perfectly.

Dreams to Reality: Astronoid's Latest Effort is Both Elevating and Grounding

The Massachusetts-based “dream thrash” outfit will unleash their sophomore full-length this Friday — we dive in to see what’s what.