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Album Review: The Ruins of Beverast – Tempelschlaf

Artist: The Ruins of Beverast

Album: Tempelschlaf

Genre: Black Metal/Doom Metal/Gothic Metal/Death Doom

Label: Ván Records

Rating: 7/10

I’m just gonna start this review by admitting that I am a part time metalhead. I love me some Metal but I am picky. If the Metal starts off with kickass demonic I need an exorcism ass guttural growls and then transitions into the cleanest and prettiest vocals you’ve ever heard I’ve lost interest. If the Metal relies too heavily on shredding it just sounds like the Power Rangers theme song to me and I can’t help but think it’s morphin’ time, and some stuff (I’m not gonna name any subgenres) just gets a little monotonous after awhile. Um, if I haven’t pissed you off by now and you’re still reading this… well, if you’re a metalhead you’re probably not reading this anyway…. actually let’s be honest, no one is reading this… wait where was I? Oh yeah, allow me to introduce you to the kind of Metal that hits every note and strikes every fancy for me, THE RUINS OF FUCKING BEVERAST! “Fucking” isn’t actually in their name but you get the point. Lead by sole songwriter Alexander von Meilanwald, “The Ruins of Beverast” is a hard to categorize project with a myriad of genres such as Black Metal, Doom Metal, Gothic Metal, Death Doom, and Atmospheric Black Metal to their name, and yet none of these genres are a definitive category for the band’s sound. Whether it be the the Gothic-tinged Doom combined with shamanism of their album Exuvia, or the reverb soaked atmospheric and at times psychedelic dark and sinister journey of an album like The Thule Grimoires, it’s clear Alexander von Meilanwald has no intention to pigeonhole himself and every intention to experiment. His new album Tempelschlaf is no exception. Continuing with the epic and grandiose nature of the aforementioned albums, Tempelschlaf is a more refined album dialing back the atmospherics in favor of more precise instrumentation less focused on odd time signatures and more focused on direct heavy riffs and continuous blast beats, which I feel this was done to focus on the live aspect of these songs by stripping back the studio wizardry. This direction unfortunately makes this album the band’s least ambitious release, but it’s still a solid installment in their discography with plenty to enjoy. There’s even some shredding, and thank God it doesn’t sound like the Power Rangers theme.

https://theruinsofbeverast.bandcamp.com/album/tempelschlaf

Written By: Steven Sandoval

David Bowie’s “Blackstar” Turns 10

Today David Bowie’s final album “Blackstar” turns 10. Which also means it’s been 10 years since he sadly left us. This album means a lot to me. Not only is it a superb album, but it was the first album I reviewed back when I started “MELT Reviews,” so you can imagine my surprise and shock when Bowie passed away just a couple of days later. It was insane to me that at this stage in his career he managed to make one of his best albums in his extensive discography, and even in his final days drew influence from contemporary artists such as Kendrick Lamar and Death Grips. This is a perfect album. Happy 10th Anniversary to “Blackstar,” and Rest In Peace Starman.

MELT REVIEWS IS ONLINE

Wow. Has it really been 5 years since I’ve posted on this site? It’s been far too long. A lot has happened in the past 5 years. I am now a Dad to a beautiful baby girl, I’ve been making music under the name BEACHY, and beertending. My interest in new music never died, but at some point in 2021 I just got burnt out from reviewing music. I took a much needed break and well, here we are 5 years later. Just last year I created a Rate Your Music profile and it rekindled my love for music analysis. I’m feeling that feeling I felt when I first started MELT REVIEWS 10 years ago, so I’m writing this to tell you all that MELT REVIEWS is back. Expect reviews of new music and even new movies on this site again. Can’t wait to see what 2026 brings.

Check out my music here:

https://linktr.ee/beachy72vn?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=4398ed54-8739-4f03-82de-3562ff8d1594

https://rateyourmusic.com/~beachy72vn

Riki Shares New Music Video for “Florence & Selena”

We’re just two weeks away from the release of Riki’s upcoming album Gold, and while we wait, Riki has shared a stunning new music video for her track “Florence & Selena” for us to enjoy. The video is directed by Travis Waddell, and is as visually compelling as the song is sonically enticing. Gold will be released on November 26th via “Dais Records.” You can watch the music video for “Florence & Selena” below:

Merlyn Wood Shares New Single “S.Y.K.” featuring CONNIE

Being quite possibly the most eccentric member of “BROCKHAMPTON,” Merlyn Wood has had many of us aching for solo material, and now that day has finally arrived. Produced by CONNIE, Wood’s new single “S.Y.K.” is explosive, infectious, and rich in personality. Everything you would expect from MERLYN! You can watch the music video for “S.Y.K.” below:

Furrowed Brow Share New Single “The Endless Shouting Tomorrows”

You can always count on a band like “Furrowed Brow” to drop music that knows no bounds, which separates themselves from any of their contemporaries, even the ones that might welcome them with open arms. Why does this work in their favor? Well, they’re uncompromisingly themselves, less worried about building their “brand,” and more focused on exploring their endless wit and inventiveness comprised of sardonicism and commentary on the absurdity of our species. Their new single “The Endless Shouting Tomorrows” delves further into what makes them so enticing without straying into monotony. In fact, this is by far the most concerned the band have sounded viewing modern living through an isolated lens, but in doing this, the band maintain that element of dark humor that’s oh so delicious to feast on. You can listen to “The Endless Shouting Tomorrows” below:

Backxwash Shares New Song “ROSEMARY’S REVENGE”

Just in time for Halloween, Backxwash has released a new track titled “ROSEMARY’S REVENGE,” so don’t finish your Halloween playlist just yet, because this track is a Nu-Metal-dominated banger that you must include. The track was inspired by the lore of Rosemary, who is a ghost in Zambian folklore, and acts as a soundtrack to her told from the perspective of the men that came across her. You can listen to “ROSEMARY’S REVENGE” below:

https://backxwash.bandcamp.com/track/rosemarys-revenge

Kylie Minogue and Jessie Ware Share New Single “Kiss of Life”

Following Kylie Minogue’s 2020 album Disco, as well as the 20th anniversary of her classic album Fever, and following Jessie Ware’s superb 2020 album What’s Your Pleasure? which recently received a deluxe release consisting of bonus bangers, the two queens of Disco have teamed up to create another dance floor -ready track that solidifies their status as modern Disco’s torch carriers. This is a collab we knew we needed, and seeing this come to fruition is a gift. The track is titled “Kiss of Life,” and you can listen to it below:

Maryze Shares New Music Video for “Squelettes” Featuring Backxwash

It’s Halloween season, which means you can count on Montreal-based Alt-Pop artist Maryze to bless us with something that reflects the delightfully dark and sinister nature of the beloved holiday. This year she has shared a brand new music video for her single “Squelettes” which features an infectiously confrontational verse from Backxwash, who has had a successful year following the release of her masterpiece I Lie Here Buried with My Rings and My Dresses. “Squelettes” was released last year, but still holds up as powerhouse of a track, and now we have a beautifully haunting music video rich in Gothic imagery to accompany it thanks to multidisciplinary artist Méchant Vaporwave. You can watch the music video for “Squelettes” below:

Riki Shares New Single “Florence and Selena”

Every time Riki releases new music it’s impossible not to swoon over her angelic vocals and impeccable attention to dreamy soundscapes consisting of retro synth-laden New Wave that explores a myriad of emotions. Her new single “Florence and Selena” is no departure, but the track offers a refreshing sense of balladry that’s absent from modern Pop music. The track will appear on her upcoming album Gold, which is set to drop on November 26th via “Dais Records.” You can listen to “Florence and Selena” below: