Category: Black metal

Schammasch – The Maldoror Chants: Old Ocean (Review)

Schammasch - The Maldoror Chants Old OceanSchammasch are a black metal band from Switzerland and this is their fifth album.

I have been really excited to hear this one. I’ve been a big fan of everything I’ve heard from Schammasch; make sure you check out 2016’s Triangle and 2019’s Hearts of No Light, both of which are top tier records, and both of which placed on my end of year lists for 2016 and 2019. Interestingly though, The Maldoror Chants: Old Ocean is the spiritual follow up to Schammasch’s 2017 avant-garde EP The Maldoror Chants: Hermaphrodite, making me even more interested to find out what this new opus had to offer. Continue reading “Schammasch – The Maldoror Chants: Old Ocean (Review)”

Gaerea – Coma (Review)

Gaerea - ComaThis is the fourth album from Portuguese black metallers Gaerea.

Ever since I first heard 2018’s Unsettling Whispers Gaerea have stood out to me as something pretty special. In 2020 Limbo solidified this opinion, and then in 2022 Mirage cemented this further. In fact, my appreciation of Mirage has only increased since catching the band’s transcendental live experience at this year’s fantastic Fortress Festival. I have high hopes for Coma. Continue reading “Gaerea – Coma (Review)”

Immortal Bird – Sin Querencia (Review)

Immortal Bird - Sin QuerenciaThis is the third album from US blackened extreme metallers Immortal Bird.

It’s been a long time since 2019’s Thrive on Neglect and an even longer time since 2015’s Empress/Abscess, (a standout release of that year), so it’s a real treat to have Immortal Bird back with us. Continue reading “Immortal Bird – Sin Querencia (Review)”

Persecutory – The Glorious Persecution (Review)

Persecutory - The Glorious PersecutionThis is the latest EP from Persecutory, a Turkish black metal band.

It’s been quite some time since I caught up with Persecutory. 2016’s Perversion Feeds Our Force, in fact. They’re had two albums released in the meantime, neither of which I’ve heard, so The Glorious Persecution is as good a time as any to get reacquainted with the band’s aggressive sound. Continue reading “Persecutory – The Glorious Persecution (Review)”

Oranssi Pazuzu – Muuntautuja (Review)

Oranssi Pazuzu - MuuntautujaThis is the sixth album from Finland’s black metallers Oranssi Pazuzu.

Since discovering Oranssi Pazuzu on 2016’s Värähtelijä they have been a band that easily stood out for me. Mestarin Kynsi followed in 2020, another album that took an expansive, creative vision for blackened music and explored it with engaging results. Which brings us to Muuntautuja, the band’s shortest album at 42 minutes in duration. What scintillatingly expressive sights and sounds does it has to offer? Continue reading “Oranssi Pazuzu – Muuntautuja (Review)”

Hell Is Other People – Moirae (Review)

Hell Is Other People - MoiraeThis is the second album from Canadian post-black metal band Hell Is Other People.

Moirae contains 44 minutes of music that combines elements of depressive, atmospheric, and post-black metal, (with a touch of doom), into a cohesive whole. Hell Is Other People, (who contain a member of Æpoch), are recommended by the promo blurb for fans of Agalloch, Altar of Plagues, Winterfylleth, White Ward, and Drudkh, so that should give you a decent starting point for their sound. Continue reading “Hell Is Other People – Moirae (Review)”

Death Like Mass – The Lord of Flies (Review)

Death Like Mass - The Lord of FliesThis is the debut album from Polish black metal band Death Like Mass.

Featuring current and ex-members of Enthroned, Lvcifyre, and Nightbringer, Death Like Mass play old-school black metal that boasts a keen edge of individuality that’s unusual in the style. Across 44 minutes of material The Lord of Flies impresses. Continue reading “Death Like Mass – The Lord of Flies (Review)”

Wolves’ Winter – The Medivm (Review)

Wolves' Winter - The MedivmWolves’ Winter are an Argentinian black metal band and this is their second album.

The Medivm contains 40 minutes of occult black metal. Wolves’ Winter’s music is melodic black metal that’s swathed in occult mists and arcane auras. The Medivm is an album that’s easy to enjoy if you’re a fan of the style, as Wolves’ Winter know what they’re doing. Continue reading “Wolves’ Winter – The Medivm (Review)”

Sørgelig – Φθορά (Review)

Sørgelig - ΦθοράSørgelig are a Greek black metal band and this is their third album.

I love Isolert, and also really like Insanity Cult. Why do I mention that here? Simply because Sørgelig is made up of members of these two bands, (plus a guitarist who is in neither). I haven’t caught up with Sørgelig since 2018’s Apostate, but the band have been busy since then with EPs, a split, and second album. Φθορά is their third, and a great opportunity to become reacquainted with their brand of hostile malice. Continue reading “Sørgelig – Φθορά (Review)”

1349 – The Wolf and the King (Review)

1349 - The Wolf and the KingThis is the eighth album from Norwegian black metallers 1349.

1349 boast current/ex-members of Gorgoroth, Keep of Kalessin, Mortem, and Satyricon in their ranks, and they provide us with 39 minutes of Norwegian black metal in the form of The Wolf and the King. Continue reading “1349 – The Wolf and the King (Review)”