Black metal – Page 19 – Wonderbox Metal

Esoctrilihum – Döth-Dernyàlh (Review)

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

Over the years I’ve developed a real fondness for the creative blackened output of this prolific artist. 2018’s Pandaemorthium (Forbidden Formulas to Awaken the Blind Sovereigns of Nothingness) started my journey, 2021’s Dy’th Requiem for the Serpent Telepath really made a mark, 2022’s Consecration of the Spiritüs Flesh was harsh and unforgiving, and then last year’s monster triple album Astraal Constellations of the Majickal Zodiac was far more enthralling than anything as long as that had any right to be. Of course, then there’s also the rest of the Esoctrilihum’s discography too, which I haven’t reviewed. For now though, we have the colossal 80-minute Döth-Dernyàlh. Continue reading “Esoctrilihum – Döth-Dernyàlh (Review)”

Wormwitch – Wormwitch (Review)

This is the fourth album from Canadian black metallers Wormwitch.

New Wormwitch! I’m a bit behind on this one, but I couldn’t let it pass me by. Whether it’s 2019’s Heaven That Dwells Within, 2021’s Wolf Hex, or this year’s split with Sadistic Ritual, Wormwitch always deliver the goods. Continue reading “Wormwitch – Wormwitch (Review)”

Avmakt – Satanic Inversion Of… (Review)

This is the debut album from Norwegian black metallers Avmakt.

Satanic Inversion Of… contains 46 minutes of old-school second wave 90s black metal worship. Avmakt’s music uses the Darkthrone template extensively, yet somehow manages to avoid coming off as a cheap knockoff. How? Basically, it’s just a damn good album. Continue reading “Avmakt – Satanic Inversion Of… (Review)”

Vafurlogi – Í Vökulli Áþján (Review)

Vafurlogi are a black metal band from Iceland and this is their debut album.

Í Vökulli Áþján contains 43 minutes of music and is brought to us by a current/ex-member of Sinmara and Svartidauði. Joined by a very capable drummer, (Beneath, Helfró, Ophidian I), Vafurlogi are a dark revelation that has long been threatening to spill over into reality, but now has. Continue reading “Vafurlogi – Í Vökulli Áþján (Review)”

Winterfylleth – The Imperious Horizon (Review)

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

The Imperious Horizon is the 58-minute follow up to 2020’s The Reckoning Dawn. With a new guitarist in tow, (from Necronautical), how does Winterfylleth’s atmospheric black metal sound in 2024? Continue reading “Winterfylleth – The Imperious Horizon (Review)”

Agrypnie – Erg (Review)

Agrypnie are a black metal band from Germany and this is their seventh album.

Erg contains 54 minutes of music, and is brought to us by members of The Negative Bias and Perchta, (as well as many others). Agrypnie’s music is of a high quality level, and Erg showcases the band in a good light throughout. Continue reading “Agrypnie – Erg (Review)”

Aethyrick – Death Is Absent (Review)

This is the fifth album from Finnish black metallers Aethyrick.

I always have time for Aethyrick’s brand of black metal, so it’s great to have some new material from them in the form of the 43-minute Death Is Absent. If you’re unfamiliar with the band, then as well as this new album it’s also worth checking out 2018’s Praxis, 2020’s Gnosis, 2021’s Apotheosis, and 2022’s Pilgrimage. Aethyrick may have only been around since 2016, but they’re quite prolific. Continue reading “Aethyrick – Death Is Absent (Review)”

Firtan – Ethos (Review)

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

Following on from 2022’s very enjoyable Marter, Ethos brings us 51 minutes of new material from Firtan. On this new album the band aren’t holding back. Continue reading “Firtan – Ethos (Review)”

Isolert – Wounds of Desolation (Review)

This is the third album from Greek black metallers Isolert.

Isolert gained my attention with 2015’s Isolated Soul, held it with 2016’s No Hope, No Light…Only Death and 2017’s split with Insanity Cult – Towards the Great Dissolution, and then exceeded all expectations with 2020’s fantastic World in Ruins. The latter ended up in my top three in my end of year list for that year, so to say expectations are high for Wounds of Desolation is an understatement. Continue reading “Isolert – Wounds of Desolation (Review)”

Marrow of Man – Ancient Hymns of Apocalypse (Review)

This is the debut album from Marrow of Man, a one-man black metal band from the Netherlands.

Ancient Hymns of Apocalypse contains 46 minutes of black metal, with some thrash metal elements added in for extra brutality. The promo blurb says that the primary influences of this act are Dissection, Bathory, Evilfeast, Darkthrone, Odium, and Lunar Spells, so that will give you a starting point for the Marrow of Man sound. Continue reading “Marrow of Man – Ancient Hymns of Apocalypse (Review)”