Black metal – Wonderbox Metal

Esoctrilihum – Annochiül Xar Sorthïlazur (Review)

This is the fifteenth album from French one-man black metal band Esoctrilihum.

One never knows what the artist behind the prolific Esoctrilihum is going to gift unto the unworthy world, which makes every release both a surprise and a treat. For Annochiül Xar Sorthïlazur, he has bequeathed us a lavish 69 minutes of symphonic avant-garde black/death metal. While that description may get stuck in the mouth, Annochiül Xar Sorthïlazur itself goes down remarkably smoothly for something so idiosyncratic and barbed. But then, Esoctrilihum always seems to deliver the goods. Continue reading “Esoctrilihum – Annochiül Xar Sorthïlazur (Review)”

Firtan – Helios (Review)

Firtan are a German black metal band and this is their fifth album.

Following on from 2022’s Marter and 2024’s Ethos, Helios brings us 60 minutes of well-crafted atmospheric black metal and post-blackened might. It is a record that reeks of high quality. Firtan have obviously put a lot of energy and care into its creation, and the results pay off. Continue reading “Firtan – Helios (Review)”

Spirit Possession – Cathedral Speech (Review)

Spirit Possession are a black metal band from the US and this is their third album.

Brought to us by a member of Black Curse/Ulthar, Cathedral Speech contains 43 minutes of engaging blackened mayhem. Spirit Possession are not your average black metal band, so get ready to inject something notable into your listening habits. Continue reading “Spirit Possession – Cathedral Speech (Review)”

Death. Void. Terror. – To the Great Monolith III: Rifts (Review)

Death. Void. Terror. are a black/death/doom metal band from Switzerland, and this is their third album.

This new record follows hot on the sulphurous heels of last month’s EP To the Great Monolith 2.5. So, what do these strange, otherworldly travellers have in store for us this time? The answer, is something unexpectedly special. Something, in fact, to shake you out of your complacency and really, truly, feel the music. Continue reading “Death. Void. Terror. – To the Great Monolith III: Rifts (Review)”

Noctule – Extinguish Thy Flame (Review)

This is the second album from UK solo black metal band Noctule.

The artist behind Noctule, (from Svalbard), brings us 39 minutes of melodic black and death metal on Extinguish Thy Flame. The music of Noctule has taken an assured step forward with this new record. Continue reading “Noctule – Extinguish Thy Flame (Review)”

Fluisteraars – Jacht der Mysteriën (Review)

This is the sixth album from black metal band Fluisteraars, who are from the Netherlands.

Jacht der Mysteriën blesses us with three tracks equalling 42 minutes of music. Fluisteraars have a well-developed personality, and Jacht der Mysteriën is surely one of their more idiosyncratic releases. The music may ultimately be atmospheric black metal, but it’s an atypical expression of the style for sure. Continue reading “Fluisteraars – Jacht der Mysteriën (Review)”

Sworn – Null Crowned the Infinite (Review)

Sworn are a Norwegian black metal band and this is their fifth album.

Sworn are one of the best melodic black metal bands active right now. Coming off a genuinely top tier previous album, (2023’s A Journey Told Through Fire), and with a strong back catalogue overall, any new Sworn material is going to be hotly anticipated. Enter the 44-minute Null Crowned the Infinite. Continue reading “Sworn – Null Crowned the Infinite (Review)”

Fen – Elemental Part One: Mourning Earth (Review)

Fen are a UK black metal band and this is their eighth album.

Following on from 2023’s Monuments to Absence, Fen have now returned with 47 minutes of new material in the form of Elemental Part One: Mourning Earth. As the name might suggest, this is the first part of two. Continue reading “Fen – Elemental Part One: Mourning Earth (Review)”

Thanatomass – The Rabid Dead (Review)

This is the latest EP from Russian black/death metal band Thanatomass.

Following on from 2023’s Hades, Thanatomass have now returned with the three-track EP The Rabid Dead. Across 20 minutes, Thanatomass deliver a scorching display of corrosive black/death nastiness. Continue reading “Thanatomass – The Rabid Dead (Review)”

Death. Void. Terror. – To the Great Monolith 2.5 (Review)

Death. Void. Terror. are a black/doom metal band from Switzerland, and this is their latest EP.

This 3-track release from Death. Void. Terror. brings us something otherworldly and foul to become absorbed in. Seeping out its foul corruption across 29 minutes of material, To the Great Monolith 2.5 delivers an unholy ritual that’s sure to ensnare many of the unwary. Continue reading “Death. Void. Terror. – To the Great Monolith 2.5 (Review)”