Labyrinthus Stellarum – Rift in Reality (Review)

Labyrinthus Stellarum - Rift in RealityLabyrinthus Stellarum are a black metal band from Ukraine and this is their third album.

Rift in Reality contains 37 minutes of engaging black metal with a sci-fi theme. Labyrinthus Stellarum play black metal that’s enhanced with electronic elements and extraterrestrial keyboards. Overall it’s a mix of melodic, atmospheric, and industrial black metal, although There are actually a few other styles mixed into the DNA of this too, including a bit of symphonic deathcore, to name just one. Continue reading “Labyrinthus Stellarum – Rift in Reality (Review)”

Drouth – The Teeth of Time (Review)

Drouth - The Teeth of TimeThis is the second album from US black/death metal band Drouth.

It’s been five long years since 2020’s Excerpts from a Dread Liturgy, but now Drouth are back, with a new bassist in tow, (current/ex-Cormorant/Ursa). So, let’s turn our attention to the five new songs we have here in the form of the 41-minute The Teeth of Time. Continue reading “Drouth – The Teeth of Time (Review)”

Lust Hag – Irrevocably Drubbed (Review)

Lust Hag - Irrevocably DrubbedThis is the second album from Lust Hag, a solo black metal act from the US.

I didn’t expect a new Lust Hag album so soon after the artist’s first one from last year, but I shouldn’t have been surprised I suppose. After all, since then, she has also released Prayers Unanswered, (a split with Reaping Fields,), and a split with Genital Shame. As a big fan of Lust Hag, the 44-minute Irrevocably Drubbed is very well-received. Continue reading “Lust Hag – Irrevocably Drubbed (Review)”

Ghost Bath – Rose Thorn Necklace (Review)

Ghost Bath - Rose Thorn NecklaceGhost Bath are a depressive black metal band from the US and this is their fifth album.

I do like a bit of Ghost Bath. Both 2017’s Starmourner and 2021’s Self Loather were very enjoyable, despite actually being quite different. Out if the two, Rose Thorn Necklace is probably closer in style overall to Self Loather, although is by no means a repeat of it. Continue reading “Ghost Bath – Rose Thorn Necklace (Review)”

Acceptance – Crucifixion of Orchids (Review)

Acceptance - Crucifixion of OrchidsAcceptance are a post-black metal band from the UK and this is their debut album.

Previously known as Fatalist, (with an album under that name, so whether this is their first or second I suppose is up for debate), Acceptance exist at an interesting intersection between atmospheric black metal, sludge, blackgaze, and post-rock. Continue reading “Acceptance – Crucifixion of Orchids (Review)”

Ahamkara – The Harrow of the Lost (Review)

Ahamkara - The Harrow of the LostThis is the second album by UK black metal band Ahamkara.

I’ve been waiting for a new Ahamkara album since 2014, which is a shockingly long time to wait for anything. The Embers of the Stars was a damn good album though, so now that a new record is here, it was not one I wanted to overlook. Unfortunately, it seems there was a good reason for this delay, as the promo blurb tells us – “Following ten years of silence after the release of their debut album “The Embers of the Stars” and the untimely death of vocalist Steven, Ahamkara return with a new lineup and new album “The Harrow of the Lost”, an unflinching exploration of the transformative nature of grief.” Continue reading “Ahamkara – The Harrow of the Lost (Review)”

Silver Knife – Silver Knife (Review)

Silver Knife - Silver KnifeSilver Knife are an international post-black metal band and this is their second album.

Silver Knife is the 47-minute successor to 2020’s well-received Unyielding/Unseeing. Containing the extremely busy and talented Déhà, as well as current/ex-members of Burial Remains, Laster, Monads, Paramnesia, and Vuur & Zijde, Silver Knife is an album with a lot of experience poured into it, and it shows. Continue reading “Silver Knife – Silver Knife (Review)”

Serpentes – Desert Psalms (Review)

Serpentes - Desert PsalmsSerpentes are a Portuguese black metal band and this is their debut album.

Brought to us by current/ex-members of Angrenost, Misþyrming, Naðra, Skáphe, and Svartidauði, Desert Psalms contains 46 minutes of malicious black metal. Continue reading “Serpentes – Desert Psalms (Review)”