Awenden/Feminazgûl – Split (Review)

Awenden Feminazgul - SplitAwenden and Feminazgûl are both atmospheric black metal bands from the US, and they have teamed up for this split release; three songs, 30 minutes in total.

We start with a single track from Awenden, which is a solo act with guests, (vocals/flute). Continue reading “Awenden/Feminazgûl – Split (Review)”

Nemorous – Nemorous (Review)

Nemorous - NemorousNemorous are a UK black metal band and this is their debut EP.

Nemorous contains 36 minutes of music in the form of four original tracks, (three songs), and a cover of a In Gowan Ring song. Featuring current and ex-members of bands such as Wodensthrone, Ahamkara, Vacivus, and Axis of Perdition, you know that Nemerous are an experienced bunch before the record even starts. Continue reading “Nemorous – Nemorous (Review)”

Oriflamme – L’égide Ardente (Review)

Oriflamme - L'égide ArdenteThis is the debut album from Canadian black metal band Oriflamme.

Oriflamme’s black metal combines furious intensity with atmospheric appeal. When the band play fast they play with fire and vigour, but when they slow down is when the real dark magic happens. Continue reading “Oriflamme – L’égide Ardente (Review)”

The Ember, the Ash – Fixation (Review)

The Ember, the Ash - FixationThis is the second album from solo blackened metalcore act The Ember, the Ash.

Fixation is an interesting blend of symphonic black metal and breakdown-heavy metalcore. Only a few bands are playing around with blackened elements in metalcore, to varying degrees of success, so it’s always good to hear another such act throw their interpretation of this unusual subgenre into the ring. Continue reading “The Ember, the Ash – Fixation (Review)”

Olhava – Frozen Bloom (Review)

Olhava - Frozen BloomOlhava are a Russian black metal band and this is their fourth album.

Frozen Bloom is a 59-minute exploration of loss and mournful intensity. The band’s post-blackened brew is concocted from the bones of atmospheric black metal, blackgaze’s warmth of emotion, dark ambience, and synth-driven drone. Continue reading “Olhava – Frozen Bloom (Review)”

In Asymmetry – Ashes of Dead Worlds (Review)

In Asymmetry - Ashes of Dead WorldsIn Asymmetry are an international death metal band and this is their debut album.

Featuring current and ex-members of bands such as The Ritual Aura, Deeds of Flesh, Arsis, Eschaton, Pillory, Inanimate Existence, and The Kennedy Veil, Ashes of Dead Worlds contains a lot of experience packed tightly into its 34 minutes. Continue reading “In Asymmetry – Ashes of Dead Worlds (Review)”

Inferno – Paradeigma (Phosphenes of Aphotic Eternity) (Review)

Inferno - Paradeigma (Phosphenes of Aphotic Eternity)Inferno are a black metal band from the Czech Republic and this is their eighth album.

I always enjoy a new encounter with the work from Inferno. Both 2013’s Omniabsence Filled by His Greatness and 2017’s Gnosis Kardias (of Transcension and Involution) were enjoyable and satisfying examples of sophisticated black metal art. Continue reading “Inferno – Paradeigma (Phosphenes of Aphotic Eternity) (Review)”

Empty Throne – Glossolalia (Review)

Empty Throne - GlossolaliaThis is the debut EP from Empty Throne. a blackened death metal band from the US.

After giving the promo email the once over, how could I not want to give Glossolalia a spin? Recommended for fans of bands such as At the Gates, God Dethroned, Dark Tranquillity, and Carpathian Forest? Containing current/ex-members of Possessed, Decrepit Birth, Black Crown Initiate, The Kennedy Veil, and Angerot? Listening to this was always going to happen. Continue reading “Empty Throne – Glossolalia (Review)”

Vokonis – Odyssey (Review)

Vokonis - OdysseyThis is the fourth album from Vokonis, a progressive doom metal band from Sweden.

Vokonis’ style mixes together progressive metal with stoner and doom metal, resulting in a colourful and enjoyable collection of tracks. While Mastodon is the obvious reference point, it’s also an inadequate one for Odyssey, as there’s a lot more at play here than simply Mastodon worship. I can also hear elements of bands as diverse as Sleep, Slomatics, Elder, Perihelion Ship, Rush, Khemmis, Alice in Chains, Witchkiss, Monolord, and Black Crown Initiate, to name but a few. Continue reading “Vokonis – Odyssey (Review)”