This is the latest EP from Norwegian black metal band Tortorum.
This EP is on the longer side for such things, giving us 30 minutes of dark, occult black metal.
The songs are largely, (but not completely), slow-to-mid-paced, building on the band’s ability to create malevolent atmosphere and grim mood. Even when blast beats do appear though, the sense of atmosphere is retained. Continue reading “Tortorum – Rotten. Dead. Forgotten. (Review)”
This is the fourth album from this one-man US black metal band.
Over the years Mare Cognitum’s output has proven to be of exceptionally high quality, with 2014’s Phobos Monolith being a particular highlight.
Luminiferous Aether provides us with more of the progressively-edged atmospheric black metal that we’ve come to know and love from the outfit, all lavishly arranged, produced and delivered across over 50 minutes of Continue reading “Mare Cognitum – Luminiferous Aether (Review)”
Cara Neir are a black metal/crust/grind/whatever band from the US. They have teamed up with Wildspeaker, a blackened sludge/crust band, also from the US.
I’m a big fan of Cara Neir, so as far as I’m concerned any release of theirs is well worth giving a listen to. On this split they contribute seven songs spread over 21 minutes.
You never quite know what you’re going to be getting with Continue reading “Cara Neir/Wildspeaker – Guilt and His Reflection (Review)”
This is the debut album from US black metallers Predatory Light.
Featuring members of Mania, Triumvir Foul and Ash Borer, this release comes with high expectations before it even starts. As you can probably guess, those expectations are fulfilled.
Predatory Light play black metal with a serving of doom and a keen Continue reading “Predatory Light – Predatory Light (Review)”
This is the debut album by Pénitence Onirique, a French black metal band.
Pénitence Onirique play scathing black metal, filled with dark atmosphere and with a foreboding presence.
Razor sharp vocals lash out from the music like barbs, lacerating with ease, while the Continue reading “Pénitence Onirique – V.I.T.R.I.O.L. (Review)”
This is the third album from this Greek black/heavy metal band.
Now this is an interesting release. 14 years after their second album, Agatus return with even more of a progressive/heavy metal approach to their music.
70s progressive rock and NWOBHM influences collide head-on with the black metal background of the group, making for an album that sounds little like any of their contemporaries.
The closest I can come to compare with other bands would be a crazy fusion of Rotting Christ, Vintersorg and Countess, all given a workover by NWOBHM and 70s progressive rock. or something. All I know is it’s infectious, addictive, individual and bloody good.
The black metal aspects Continue reading “Agatus – The Eternalist (Review)”
Vrtra are a black metal/post-black metal/blackened doom band from the US. This is their debut album.
Holy shit this is good! Is that an appropriate way to start a review? I dunno. Probably not, but who cares, because holy shit this is good!
This is a sickly-blackened release that contains elements of doom, death, black and post-metal within its 31 minute length. Vrtra do not respect musical boundaries, and why should they? I’ll tentatively refer to them as Continue reading “Vrtra – My Bones Hold a Stillness (Review)”
Nox Formulae are a Greek black metal band and this is their debut album.
This is ritualistic/occult black metal that combines a raw delivery with elements of the avant-garde and atmospheric.
The band take the second-wave black metal template and mutate it into something a bit more atypical. Synths and dark Continue reading “Nox Formulae – The Hidden Paths to Black Ecstasy (Review)”
Vahrzaw are an Australian black metal band and this is their second album.
This is a blisteringly aggressive strain of virulent black metal, with some elements of death metal added in for extra ferocity.
Twin Suns & Wolves’ Tongues is raw and brutal, full of blackened darkness and raging hatred. More than a simple one-trick pony though, Vahrzaw are talented enough to create more than just pure aggression with Continue reading “Vahrzaw – Twin Suns & Wolves’ Tongues (Review)”
US black metallers Void Omnia have released quite a storming debut album. It’s called Dying Light and is definitely one that you should check out. With speed, melody and atmosphere, it’s a well-rounded release that latches onto the listener with its aggressive tempo, and stays there by virtue of dark moods and layered textures. The band’s vocalist Jamison Kester touched base with us to keep us informed about what they’re up to…
We are 5 piece atmospheric black metal band from Oakland, CA that began in 2011 but truly did not take shape until the latter half of 2013.
Our musical influences range from black, death, grind and classical. All of us are multi-instrumentalists who listen to a broad scope of music at varying degrees. Continue reading “Interview with Void Omnia”
Wonderbox Metal 