It’s been a hellish few months for Irish label Invictus trying to get this album through the pressing plant. Those responsible for the delays are now burned and died - and finally the new Tyrants Blood is able to hit the shelves.

In the label’s words, it’s “unbridled, brutal Death/Thrash like old Morbid Angel, Sadus, Morbid Saint, Possessed & Destruction!!!! Not to be missed!!!”. Dónal McBrien clambers past the exclamation marks to find out the real story. And guess what - it isn’t far off.

The new Fear Factory album has exercised many. Some like it. Some say it’s too much of a rehash of former glories. What’s the problem with that though? They’ve spent fifteen years putting out rubbish. So shouldn’t a return to the sounds of old be welcomed? You can’t have it both ways.

Anyway, ‘Mechanize’ is a rewarding spin. It wont bear much analysis, and wont generate much devotion. But with Gene Holgan on the drums, can you afford to pass it by completely? Not if you’re wise. There’s soul in this new machine.

Dublin recently experienced the full force of Swedish black metal veterans Marduk. Having toured heavily (and as we see, they kicked off with fifteen dates in Poland alone), some asked if the fatigue was beginning to show.

As Lorcan Archer found out however from main man Morgan Håkansson, it’s all part of the band’s hard grinding ethos - and why they’re especially keen to take it to Latin America.

Something for the eggheadbangers now - and this is one that will please many enthusiasts of daring and discerning metal. Liquid Graveyard feature an Irishman in their number and a powerful chanteuse at the front. Rasping, growling and singing, she fronts a band adept at interesting rhythms while powerfully channelling great old death metal.

The result is an interesting mix of styles, recalling some underground names largely buried by time and dust, yet no less interesting for it.

Dark Funeral - also rans of a genre for a decade and a half, probably more famous for t-shirts and artwork than their actual music. If they’re to be given credit for anything though, it’s just having been there the whole time. In doing so they’ve outlasted many a panda faced flash-in-the-pan.

It would be easy not to be arsed. But dont - this new album proves that familiarity needn’t lead to boredom. It’s surprisingly caustic, with some fantastic speed and a dark melodic vibe.