Horned Almighty – Contagion Zero (Review)

Horned Almighty - Contagion ZeroHorned Almighty are a black metal band from Denmark and this is their seventh album.

It has been a long ten years since I last caught up with Horned Almighty, (which is somewhat of a shocking realisation to be honest), so catching up with them is long overdue. Contagion Zero offers up 36 minutes of infectious black metal. Continue reading “Horned Almighty – Contagion Zero (Review)”

Liminal Shroud – Visions of Collapse (Review)

Liminal Shroud - Visions of CollapseThis is the third album from Canadian black metal act Liminal Shroud.

Following on from 2022’s All Virtues Ablaze, comes the 44-minute Visions of Collapse. On their new record Liminal Shroud continue to forge ahead with their brand of black metal, refining it further, with some very tasty results. Continue reading “Liminal Shroud – Visions of Collapse (Review)”

Alcest – Les Chants de l’Aurore (Review)

Alcest - Les Chants de l'AuroreThis is the seventh album from French post-black metallers Alcest.

Les Chants de l’Aurore contains 44 minutes of new music from the legendary Alcest. This is a band that many people hold a special place in their heart for, and a new album is a big deal in certain circles. So the question is, have Alcest delivered or disappointed? Continue reading “Alcest – Les Chants de l’Aurore (Review)”

Nimbifer – Der Böse Geist (Review)

Nimbifer - Der Böse GeistThis is the debut album from German black metal band Nimbifer.

I unfortunately missed this record when it came out in April, but there have been enough rumblings about it that I wanted to check it out. I’m glad I did. Der Böse Geist contains 36 minutes of raw black metal, and it’s a real underground gem. Continue reading “Nimbifer – Der Böse Geist (Review)”

Ende – L’aube des Anathèmes (Review)

Ende - L'aube des AnathèmesEnde are a French black metal band and this is their sixth album.

I always like being able to catch up with Ende’s work. If you’re unfamiliar with the band, make sure you check out 2015’s The Rebirth of I, 2017’s Emën Etan, or 2018’s Goétie Funeste, (or indeed any of their other work), and you’ll be assured of encountering an album of traditional black metal that’s worth your time. Which brings us to the 41 minutes of new material on L’aube des Anathèmes; has Ende’s quality streak continued? Continue reading “Ende – L’aube des Anathèmes (Review)”

Aklash – Reincarnation (Review)

Aklash - ReincarnationThis is the fourth album from UK black metal band Aklash.

According to the promo blurb, Aklash “…cite Drudkh, Wolves in the Throne Room, and Judas Priest as key influences”, which sounds like an interesting enough mix to me to merit further investigation. That description doesn’t quite do Reincarnation justice though, as Aklash’s music is diverse and rich. Continue reading “Aklash – Reincarnation (Review)”

Inherits the Void – Scars of Yesteryears (Review)

Inherits the Void - Scars of YesteryearsThis is the third album from French one-man black metal band Inherits the Void.

Hot on the heels of last year’s The Impending Fall of the Stars, the artist behind Inherits the Void has returned with 44 minutes of new material with Scars of Yesteryears. Are you concerned about the lack of time between releases? Don’t be, as Scars of Yesteryears is a cracking album. Continue reading “Inherits the Void – Scars of Yesteryears (Review)”

Kvaen – The Formless Fires (Review)

Kvaen - The Formless FiresThis is the third album from Swedish black metal solo act Kvaen.

The name Kvaen hit the black metal underground hard with 2020’s The Funeral Pyre, and then followed this up in 2022 with The Great Below, which showed that the quality of the debut was no fluke. Another two years have passed, and now we have The Formless Fires. Do the 39 minutes of new music here still demonstrate a continuation of these quality levels? Continue reading “Kvaen – The Formless Fires (Review)”

Ogasawara – The Age of Stars (Review)

Ogasawara - The Age of StarsThis is the debut album from solo US black metal band Ogasawara.

The Ages of Stars is a 35-minute concept album that ably showcases what the artist behind Ogasawara is capable of. If you’re looking for a well-crafted black metal album that covers a few different bases, then this is for you. Continue reading “Ogasawara – The Age of Stars (Review)”

Solar Temple & Dead Neanderthals – Embers Beget the Divine (Review)

Solar Temple & Dead Neanderthals - Embers Beget the DivineSolar Temple and Dead Neanderthals are both from the Netherlands. The former plays black metal, (and contains members of Fluisteraars and Dool), and the latter is an experimental act.

Embers Beget the Divine documents the live show that the Continue reading “Solar Temple & Dead Neanderthals – Embers Beget the Divine (Review)”