REVIEWS

It's been just over a year since SKARLET ENVY opened their new era with lead single "Resurrection", but the payoff has arrived and what a payoff it is - the band's new album, "From The Ashes Of The Dark", sees the Hertfordshire gothic metallers back on top form (did they ever leave?) with 40 minutes of heavy, theatric riffage.

The end result is clear - Eld Varg are only continuing to refine and build their sound, delivering a Nordic-tinged metal soundscape. It's easy to see how they have earned a reputation.

The track is full of high energy, soaring riffs and infectious groove, all staples of the sound the band have been working on since their debut album last year.

Bursting onto the scene at the start of the year with "Awake", THORN quickly established themselves as one to watch, blending cinematic soundscapes with crushing riffs. Fast forward a few months, and new single "Show Me Your God" sees the intensity dialled up, replacing the atmospherics with a more traditional, darkened edge.

Throughout the track, the band flex their rock technicalities - fuzzed up choruses, snare backbeat, backing vocals providing some sonically pleasant "oohs". The band are refined in their skillset, producing a hard hitting sound that's easy to forget there's only two people.