About and who is Athenaeum of Sin Reviews?
Introduction
Who We Are: Athenaeum of Sin Reviews is an independent review platform based in the northeast of the United Kingdom. Formerly known as Metal 1on1 Reviews, we have spent years delivering in-depth analyses of music. Our team, led by passionate metalheads Kris and Gemma, works together to maintain the website, write reviews, and handle administrative tasks—all with a commitment to providing honest, quality content.
Meet The Team
Kris – Music has always been an integral part of my life, spanning various genres beyond rock and metal. My passion also extends to horror and cult classic films, including The Wicker Man, The Crow, The Thing, Predator, Highlander, and Alien/Aliens. At heart, extreme metal and black metal define my world.
Gemma – “I have a deep love for music, particularly bands like The Raven Age, Amon Amarth, and Lordi. I also enjoy films such as V for Vendetta, The Crow, and The Wicker Man, as well as the artistry of Ghibli Studios. Outside of music and film, I spend time sketching while listening to my favourite bands. My interests extend to witchcraft and the rich histories of Viking and Pagan cultures.”
Our Unique Review System
Athenaeum of Sin stands out with The Seven Sins Reviews, a distinctive approach inspired by the Australian death metal band Aetherial. Instead of traditional scoring, this format provides detailed music analysis:
01) Strings/Keys – Examines tones, riffs, rhythms, and synths.
02) Vocals – Explores vocal styles and tone variations.
03) Percussions – Analyses beats, tempos, and energy.
04) Overall Discussion – Reviews instrumentation, production, and artistic merit.
05) Memorable Elements – Highlights standout moments from the music.
06) Artwork – Discusses visual presentation and artistic themes.
07) Disrelish – Notes aspects that may not resonate with our tastes.
View one of our review pages to see our format in action.
Eleventh Ray – Reviving Tehom Review
Our Review Process
(a) Availability: We publish reviews Monday to Friday, accepting submissions daily.
(b) Special Requests: If you need a review published on a specific date, please let us know in advance.
(c) Holiday Breaks: Submissions are accepted on holidays, but may have delayed responses.
What we Accept
We welcome diverse musical styles, from dungeon synth to atmospheric ambient works, exploring themes such as horror and fantasy. However, our platform does not support bands/artists whose music primarily promotes political, religious, or extremist views. This includes:
— National Socialist Black Metal (NSBM)
— Porno/Gore Grind
— AI-generated music
— Any artist engaging in plagiarism or stealing creative works
“Music should unite people. At Athenaeum of Sin, we strive to create an inclusive space where music lovers can connect and explore new sounds.”
Accepted Formats
We review full-length albums, singles, EPs, demos, splits, and compilations. While our focus is on releases from 2020 onwards, we may consider earlier works that have been republished or remastered.
Promotion
Once your review is published, we promote it via Facebook and Instagram, tagging artists, labels, and PR teams to help spread the word.
Unique Terminology in Our Reviews
At Athenaeum of Sin, we aim to enrich our reviews with distinct language that enhances the experience for both readers and artists. We proudly incorporate the following terms:
- Forbidden Fruit of Art & Fruit of Art
The phrase “Forbidden Fruit” was originally coined by Grant Crossan and Paul Taylor of Acherontia Styx. With their permission, we integrate “Forbidden Fruit of Art” and “Fruit of Art” into our reviews. The “of Art” suffix, created by Athenaeum of Sin, signifies works that are exceptional, masterful, or profoundly artistic, celebrating music as an art form rather than just sound. - Devilmanship
Coined by Athenaeum of Sin, “Devilmanship” is a unique term encapsulating musicianship, craftsmanship, and showmanship. This single word simplifies the concept while remaining gender-neutral, making it applicable to all artists—whether vocalists, instrumentalists, or performers. - Usage Guidelines
With our explicit consent, you may reference these terms and our review format for promotional purposes only. Unauthorized use beyond reference and promotion is not permitted. (See our [T&C page] for further details.)
Our Philosophy
Our Commitment to Honest Reviews
Finding credible and unbiased reviews in the metal music scene can be challenging. That’s why Athenaeum of Sin is dedicated to providing trustworthy, detailed, and objective reviews that you can rely on.
- Our Review Philosophy – At Athenaeum of Sin, we pride ourselves on delivering in-depth music reviews that meet the highest standards of attentiveness and quality. Our commitment is to objectivity—we ensure that both the music and lyrics are fully understood, leaving no detail overlooked and never rushing through a review.
- Privacy & Confidentiality – We respect the privacy of artists and their submissions:
- Anonymous Submissions – We acknowledge and protect the anonymity of all submissions.
- Exclusive Access – Any files, music, or confidential information submitted to Athenaeum of Sin are strictly used for review purposes only.
- No Third-Party Sharing – We do not share submitted content with social media platforms, radio stations, blogs, or any external entities.
- Our Approach to Criticism – We believe in highlighting the best of an artist’s work, which is why we do not publish negative reviews. Instead, we incorporate a “Disrelish” section that notes elements that may not resonate with us—without resorting to unfair criticism. Our focus is on what stands out rather than what falls short.
- Helping You Discover Music – Looking for detailed, insightful, and unbiased reviews? You’ve come to the right place! We strive to introduce our readers to new and underrated artists—bands you may not have heard of, those flying under the radar, or unsigned musicians just beginning their journey. If you want authentic music critiques, Athenaeum of Sin is your trusted source.
Copyrighted Material Policy
We respect copyright laws. If you identify any content on our site that should not be displayed, please contact us for its removal.
All rights to audio and images remain with the respective artists and labels.
Thank You
Thank you for visiting Athenaeum of Sin Reviews! Our platform is a passion project, free from advertising or financial incentives. We believe in unbiased, honest reviews—because music is meant to be shared and celebrated.
