House of Wolf and Crow (Shaidar Logoth/Herzegovinian/Horrid Litany) – Dawn of the Trident – Split (Review)

House of Wolf and Crow (Shaidar Logoth Herzegovinian Horrid Litany) - Dawn of the TridentHouse of Wolf and Crow is a music collective primarily focusing on midwest USA/Minnesota bands, in this case, Shaidar Logoth, Herzegovinian, and Horrid Litany. All three bands contribute one song, and the split release has a total duration of 19 minutes. Continue reading “House of Wolf and Crow (Shaidar Logoth/Herzegovinian/Horrid Litany) – Dawn of the Trident – Split (Review)”

Obscurae – To Walk the Path of Sorrows (Review)

Obscurae - To Walk the Path of SorrowsObscurae are a black metal band from the US and this is their second album.

The style here is atmospheric black metal, with influence taken from the classic second wave era and enriched with traditional synth effects. Continue reading “Obscurae – To Walk the Path of Sorrows (Review)”

Bestialis – Ritus (Review)

Bestialis - RitusThis is the debut EP from German black metallers Bestialis.

Ritus provides 17 minutes of black metal, and serves as a good introduction to the nefarious talents of Bestialis. The band’s style is rooted in traditional black metal, but also contains elements of more modern styles too. As a very rough Continue reading “Bestialis – Ritus (Review)”

Eoront – Gods Have No Home (Review)

Eoront - Gods Have No HomeEoront are a Russian black metal band and this is their third album.

This is the follow up to 2017’s enjoyable Another RealmGods Have No Home follows on from its predecessor in a similar way, but is an even superior release. On their newest album Eoront offer us Continue reading “Eoront – Gods Have No Home (Review)”

Paul Sadler – Soon to Be Absorbed (Review)

Paul Sadler - Soon to Be AbsorbedThis is the debut solo album from UK progressive rock artist Paul Sadler.

Paul Sadler is apparently the vocalist/guitarist of UK progressive metallers Spires; unfortunately I’m unfamiliar with this band, so I can’t comment on how similar Paul’s material is to his main outfit. What I can comment on, however, Continue reading “Paul Sadler – Soon to Be Absorbed (Review)”

Gjendød – Angrep (Review)

Gjendød - AngrepGjendød are a Norwegian black metal band and this is their third album.

I’ve enjoyed all of Gjendød’s material so far, (Gjendød, Nedstigning, Krigsdøger), and I’m pleased to say that Angrep is no exception to this. Angrep is not a direct continuation of the band’s past material, however, as these new songs have been mercilessly filed down to a killing point. Continue reading “Gjendød – Angrep (Review)”

Wonderbox Metal End of Year List EXTRA! – Best Non-Reviewed Metal of 2020

I’ve decided to do something new for 2020 – a second End of Year list. If you’ve missed it, my standard, definitive best of 2020 list can be seen here, and is made up of albums I was lucky enough to get to review. However, this year I want to also highlight some of the many albums that I’ve enjoyed listening to, but for one reason or another never had the chance to review. So, consider this a complementary list of sorts to the main one. Continue reading “Wonderbox Metal End of Year List EXTRA! – Best Non-Reviewed Metal of 2020”

Saarkoth – Cult of Nature (Review)

Saarkoth - Cult of NatureThis is the second album from UK black metal band Saarkoth.

Saarkoth’s Bandcamp page says that they are inspired by bands like Winterfylleth, Agalloch, and Emperor, and this serves as a good starting point for approaching Cult of Nature. However, although you can hear the influences and recognise the style, I’m pleased to say that Saarkoth have found their own voice within it. Continue reading “Saarkoth – Cult of Nature (Review)”

Wonderbox Metal End of Year List – Best Metal of 2020

Almost every year I think about how challenging it is to compile a definitive best of list, and how subjective it is, etc. Although that’s still true for this collecting of albums, this year, however, has been easier than most. 2020 has been heavy on the black metal for me. It’s been my most reviewed genre, in all its myriad permutations, and this is reflected in the below list.

For the longest of times the bands in positions 5 and 6 vied for top position, but then October and November happened. All of a sudden, unexpectedly, these two months unleashed a wealth of quality, and stole the top four positions in a rampant display of blackened supremacy.

I hope you enjoy the below recommendations of mine and find something new to obsess over. Let me know how you get on.

Let’s dig in… Continue reading “Wonderbox Metal End of Year List – Best Metal of 2020”