This is the third album from US black metallers Stormkeep.
Bright to us by members of Blood Incantation, Lykotonon, and Wayfarer, The Nocturnes of Iswylm contains 46 minutes of engaging symphonic black metal. The return of Stormkeep is one heralded by change, but it’s a most welcome change, as this record is a beast. Continue reading “Stormkeep – The Nocturnes of Iswylm (Review)”
Has it really been a year since last year’s excellent Fortress Festival? Apparently so. Fortress has quickly established itself as one of the world’s premier black metal festivals, (some would say THE premier black metal festival), and it’s brilliant to have yet another year with a massive amount of fantastic bands. Increasingly, attendees get to experience some very rare appearances too.
Before we get into it – as was the case last year, this review is greatly enriched by the stunning photographs from the very talented Aleksandra Hogg, so a huge thanks to her once more. I urge you to check out her work at Acidolka here, here, or here. Continue reading “Fortress Festival 2026 – Scarborough Spa, Scarborough, 30/05/26-31/05/26 (Live Review)”
This is the thirteenth album from Finnish black metallers Azaghal.
Following on from 2018’s Valo Pohjoisesta 2023’s Alttarimme on Luista Tehty, the mighty Azaghal have now unleashed the 43-minute Nekrohelios on the world. What a beast it is too. Continue reading “Azaghal – Nekrohelios (Review)”
This is the second album from US blackened death/doom band Galvanist.
Seemingly arising from the ashes of Arkheron Thodol, Galvanist offer up a 39-minute journey into their well-formed world of idiosyncratic hybrid extreme metal. Taking in elements of atmospheric black metal, progressive death metal, and blackened sludge/doom, The Silence Between Stars is a monstrous record. Continue reading “Galvanist – The Silence Between Stars (Review)”
This is the fourth album from French black metal band Haemoth.
After 12 years of silence since their last release, Haemoth now bring the world the 46-minute Black Dust. It’s traditional black metal, filled with satanic violence and unholy hatred. Continue reading “Haemoth – Black Dust (Review)”
This is the third album from UK solo artist AA Williams.
Playing an engaging form of dark alternative rock tastefully laced with post-rock flavours, (and a touch of post-metal influences here and there), Solstice contains 58 minutes of charismatic material. A.A. Williams has crafted a record that’s immersive and engaging. Continue reading “A.A. Williams – Solstice (Review)”
This is the debut album from US grindcore band Kuzu Knot.
Deceitful Above All Things contains 34 minutes of merciless grinding darkness, but of a rarefied sort. Kuzu Knot’s music is abrasive and harsh, but is also a good deal more than just this. Continue reading “Kuzu Knot – Deceitful Above All Things (Review)”
This is the second album from UK sludge/post-metal band Urzah.
A Tranquil Void is the 49-minute successor to 2024’s The Scorching Gaze. This debut record caused more than a few to pay attention to Urzah’s progressive, sludgy post-metal. Have they band managed to capitalise on this for its follow up? Continue reading “Urzah – A Tranquil Void (Review)”
Converge are a hardcore band from the US and this is their eleventh album, (or twelfth if you count their collaboration with Chelsea Wolfe).
A second Converge album in the space of a few months you say? Apparently so. Love Is Not Enough hasn’t even cooled, yet Converge are back at it again, treating the world to their distinctive brand of idiosyncratic hardcore. Continue reading “Converge – Hum of Hurt (Review)”
This is the third album from Japanese death metallers Pharmacist.
Vertebrae after Vertebrae consists of seven delightfully brutal pieces of rotten offal. Each one vomits forth a disgusting eruption of malignancy, as if Pharmacist have chewed on too much ancient Carcass and Exhumed and are now paying the price as their insides expel the horror in direct and horrible ways. Continue reading “Pharmacist – Vertebrae after Vertebrae (Review)”
Wonderbox Metal 