Narvik are a German black metal band and this is their second album.
Grim black metal screams make up the bulk of the vocal output on this release. The singer has depth to his voice and is a shade deeper and stranger than is traditional.
The guitars have that nicely blackened tone to them; sharp Continue reading “Narvik – Ascension to Apotheosis (Review)”
Inculcator is a one-man UK black metal project. This is his début album.
With roots firmly growing out of the distant 80s, this is black metal with thrash influences. Or thrash metal with blackened influences. Who cares; turn up the volume, press play and revel in the ridiculously OTT 80s nature of this thoroughly endearing release.
The recording has a wonderfully cosmic edge, surely influenced by Continue reading “Inculcator – Void Abecedary (Review)”
This is the fourth album from Czech band Panychida, who play black metal.
Panychida’s 2013 release Grief for an Idol was an enjoyable slab of Pagan-influenced black metal, which is why I have been looking forward to their latest release.
Let’s start off with the album artwork; I like a good cover and this is one Continue reading “Panychida – Haereticalia – The Night Battles (Review)”
Uhtcearu are a melodic black metal band from the US. This is their début album.
The production on The Plight of Wanderers is enough to turn blood to pure ice. It’s the perfect kind of recording that allows for that intimate sense of frozen fragility and icy winds to permeate every fibre of your being, while at the same time retaining enough clarity and power to showcase the band in the best darkened light. Also, the bass can be heard. Bonus. Continue reading “Uhtcearu – The Plight of Wanderers (Review)”
Abisso are a black metal band from Italy and this is their début album.
Abisso specialise in underground atmospheric black metal that has an emphasis on the murk and grime of the underworld, rather than the starry, keyboard enhanced heavens that a lot of atmospheric black metal sets its sights on.
As such, this album contains atmospheric dissonance with Continue reading “Abisso – WRNSS (Review)”
Sarcoptes are a black metal band from the US. This is their début album.
This record makes me feel nostalgic. The band play a classic style of black metal that incorporates elements of the 90s symphonic style alongside a few thrashier bits here and there. It really does take me back to the early days of bands like Cradle of Filth, Emperor, Bal-Sagoth, Hecate Enthroned, Dimmu Borgir, etc.
The singer has Continue reading “Sarcoptes – Songs and Dances of Death (Review)”
Seedna are an atmospheric black metal band from Sweden. This is their third album.
I like music like this; some of my favourite albums are those where it sounds as if the band are taking the listener on a journey, and Forlorn is very much a release like this.
Seedna play atmospheric black metal that’s big on emotional content and Continue reading “Seedna – Forlorn (Review)”
This is the fifth album from this Israeli black metal band.
Ever since I first heard Satanic War in Jerusalem back in 2002, it was immediately apparent that there was something different, something special, about Arallu’s music. Sure, it was black metal and contained recognisably black metal components, but there was also something extra that the band had. They’ve nurtured and developed it over the years, and every time I hear them I’m reminded of just how individual they are.
So basically, we get black metal in the recognisable format, but twisted with Continue reading “Arallu – Geniewar (Review)”
This is the fifth album from this Finnish black metal horde.
There’s something remarkably pure about Behexen that manages to encapsulate everything I like about orthodox black metal, without ever becoming stale or tired.
There’s a lot of music on The Poisonous Path; 58 minutes of utter Continue reading “Behexen – The Poisonous Path (Review)”
This is the sixth album from this Swedish black metal institution.
With a new lineup, (including a new vocalist), this is the first Dark Funeral album in seven years, and it lands with the impact of a swinging broadsword.
Make no mistake; this is Continue reading “Dark Funeral – Where Shadows Forever Reign (Review)”
Wonderbox Metal 