Review / 200 Words Or Less
Bloody Hammers
Lovely Sort of Death

Napalm (2016) Kevin Fitzpatrick

Bloody Hammers – Lovely Sort of Death cover artwork
Bloody Hammers – Lovely Sort of Death — Napalm, 2016

Bloody Hammers hail from North Carolina and specialize in doom. The band was founded by Anders Manga, who remains the main songwriter and performer - recruiting others only for tours.

Manga's partner-in-dirge is keyboardist, Devalia and while she has been with Manga since the beginning, it would seem she is poised to assume a larger role with the band's music.

Providing atmospheric accompaniment in the past, Devalia's keyboards are in the forefront of almost every song on the album. While it helps to flesh out the more sparsely arranged tunes like "Shadows Out Of Time", they can come across a bit superfluous on the denser arrangements.

This is Bloody Hammers 4th album and I'm gonna be honest with you - it's really about time more people took notice, because there's some great songs here - as on previous efforts. Aside from the increased keys presence, the biggest change is the production, which had been one of the band's biggest detriments, but here they sound huge - every bit as apocalyptic as they should be.

Bloody Hammers – Lovely Sort of Death cover artwork
Bloody Hammers – Lovely Sort of Death — Napalm, 2016

Recently-posted album reviews

Between the Buried and Me

The Blue Nowhere
Inside Out (2025)

Between The Buried And Me are seasoned vets to the progressive metalcore, electronic, prog (whatever other genre they bend) scene and continue to drop album after album. Their career started back in 2000 from the ashes of one of the greatest metalcore bands of all time (in my humble opinion), Prayer For Cleansing. As the band has progressed over the … Read more

The Beths

Straight Line Was A Lie
Anti (2025)

Dear Beths, Congratulations on the new release. I’ve been reflecting on our relationship and, as I’ve recently started to write about music again, have been asked to share my thoughts with you. First and foremost, I want to say that this isn’t easy for me. I cherish your album Future Me Hates Me from 2018. The title track alone is … Read more

East End Redemption

Crashing Down
Independent (2025)

Who would’ve thought that from the land of lobsters and blueberries, you’d find a punk band? East End Redemption is a four-piece band that brings their flavor of punk from Portland, Maine to the masses with their eleven song, debut full-length album, Crashing Down. They mix elements of skate punk, power pop, and even hints of hardcore punk. The band … Read more