Slow – Abîmes I (Review)

Slow - Abîmes ISlow are a funeral doom band from Belgium and this is their seventh album.

Both 2017’s V – Oceans and 2019’s VI – Dantalion were colossal records of immersive atmospheric doom immensity. The latter made it onto my end of year list for 2019 too. With that in mind, and with expectations running high, we turn to the 44 minutes that Abîmes I has in store for us. Continue reading “Slow – Abîmes I (Review)”

Winterhorde – Neptunian (Review)

Winterhorde - NeptunianThis is the fourth album from Israeli melodic/progressive black Metallers Winterhorde.

Following on from 2016’s Maestro, Neptunian contains 54 minutes of new material from Winterhorde. Back with a new lineup, the band have crafted a record that is an impressive proposition. Continue reading “Winterhorde – Neptunian (Review)”

Devils Reef – The Droste Observer (Review)

Devils Reef - The Droste ObserverThis is the second album from Devils Reef, a death metal band from the US.

Following on from 2021’s Chosen by the Sea, The Droste Observer is an evolved form of this death metal predator. Offering up a lean, mean 36 minutes of new material, Devils Reef demonstrate that they are worth being mentioned in the same breath as bands like Revocation, The Black Dahlia Murder, Obscura, Allegaeon, Black Crown Initiate, and the like. Continue reading “Devils Reef – The Droste Observer (Review)”

Inculter – Morbid Origin (Review)

Inculter - Morbid OriginInculter are a thrash metal band from Norway and this is their third album.

Many, many, many moons ago thrash metal was one of my favourite genres. However, when compared to other genres these days, thrash just doesn’t hold my attention like it once used to. However, this is where Inculter come in to show people how it’s done. Their classic thrash attack hits the sweet spot between old-school hero worship and contemporary passionate energy. Continue reading “Inculter – Morbid Origin (Review)”

Eitrin – Eitrin (Review)

Eitrin - EitrinThis is the debut album from French avant-garde black metal band Eitrin.

And what do we have here, appearing out of nowhere in a cloud of poisonous fumes? We’re told the following – “The specially commissioned debut album from EITRIN brings together the talents of Vindsval (BLUT AUS NORD), Marion (MÜTTERLEIN) and Dehn Sora (THROANE) to celebrate 20 years of Debemur Morti Productions in fittingly defiant style.” Continue reading “Eitrin – Eitrin (Review)”

Phobocosm – Foreordained (Review)

Phobocosm - ForeordainedThis is the third album from Canadian death metal act Phobocosm.

Foreordained contains 41 minutes of cavernous, doom-infused death metal. It’s a journey into the lightless places that are hard to reach, but if you can endure the extreme environments they offer, then there are many potential rewards to be had. Continue reading “Phobocosm – Foreordained (Review)”

Convocation – No Dawn for the Caliginous Night (Review)

Convocation - No Dawn for the Caliginous NightConvocation are a funeral doom band from Finland, and this is their third album.

Having been impressed with Convocation’s colossal doom offerings on 2018’s Scars Across and 2020’s Ashes Coalesce, the arrival of No Dawn for the Caliginous Night is a welcome one. Continue reading “Convocation – No Dawn for the Caliginous Night (Review)”

Varathron – The Crimson Temple (Review)

Varathron - The Crimson TempleVarathron are a Greek black metal band and this is their seventh album.

I haven’t caught up with Varathron since 2014’s Untrodden Corridors of Hades, so reconnecting with them is long overdue. The Crimson Temple contains 49 minutes of new material, and it’s something quite something. Continue reading “Varathron – The Crimson Temple (Review)”

Ruadh – 1296 (Review)

Ruadh - 1296This is the fourth album from Scottish epic black metallers Ruadh.

Oh dear, it’s taken me an obscene amount of time to finally check out Ruadh, after thoroughly enjoying them at this year’s Reaper Festival. Ah well, better late than never, and 1296 has definitely been worth the wait. Continue reading “Ruadh – 1296 (Review)”

Valdrin – Throne of the Lunar Soul (Review)

Valdrin - Throne of the Lunar SoulThis is the fourth album from US black metallers Valdrin.

It’s been a long time since 2014’s Beyond the Forest, and Valdrin have had two other full albums since then. Throne of the Lunar Soul is their latest, and boasts an imposing 73 minutes of material. What does the Valdrin of 2023 have to offer the discerning black metal fan? Continue reading “Valdrin – Throne of the Lunar Soul (Review)”