Houle – Ciel Cendre et Misère Noire (Review)

Houle - Ciel Cendre et Misère NoireThis is the debut album from French black metallers Houle.

After thoroughly enjoying Houle’s 2022 debut self titled EP, I was pleased to see Ciel Cendre et Misère Noire appear. Houle deliver 45 minutes minutes of melodic black metal across this album, and the record is a scorcher. Continue reading “Houle – Ciel Cendre et Misère Noire (Review)”

Mumuksu/Iravu – Sudra – Split (Review)

Iravu Mumuksu - Sudra - SplitMumuksu/Iravu are both solo acts from Malaysia. The latter plays black metal, and the former doom.

I thoroughly enjoyed Iravu’s debut album from last year – A Fate Worse Than Home – so knew I wanted to check out this split. It contains three tracks and has a total duration of 55 minutes. The first two songs are by the individual artists, and the final is a collaboration between them both. Continue reading “Mumuksu/Iravu – Sudra – Split (Review)”

Oubliette – Eternity Whispers (Review)

Oubliette - Eternity WhispersThis is the third album from US black metal band Oubliette.

I really liked 2018’s The Passage, and I can’t quite believe it’s been six years since that record. Now the band are back, with a refreshed lineup, (which includes the drummer of Inferi), and 39 minutes of new material in the shape of Eternity Whispers. Continue reading “Oubliette – Eternity Whispers (Review)”

Inconcessus Lux Lucis – Temples Colliding in Fire (Review)

Inconcessus Lux Lucis - Temples Colliding in FireThis is the third album from UK black metal band Inconcessus Lux Lucis.

Inconcessus Lux Lucis made a good impression on me with 2017’s The Crowning Quietus, and this was reinforced on 2021’s SamaeLilith: A Conjunction of the Fireborn split with Thy Darkened Shade, Amestigon, & Shaarimoth. The band have now returned with Temples Colliding in Fire, which delivers 44 minutes of new material. Continue reading “Inconcessus Lux Lucis – Temples Colliding in Fire (Review)”

Gurthang – Martyrium (Review)

Gurthang - MartyirumThis is the eighth album from Polish black metal act Gurthang.

It’s always good to catch up with what Gurthang are doing. 2019’s Ascension and 2021’s Hearts of the Hollow were both solid records, which now brings us to the 43-minute Martyrium. Continue reading “Gurthang – Martyrium (Review)”

Parfaxitas – Weaver of the Black Moon (Review)

Parfaxitas - Weaver of the Black MoonThis is the debut album from Parfaxitas, an international black metal band.

Weaver of the Black Moon is brought to us by members of Manetheren, Sinmara, Suffering Hour, Whoredom Rife, Wormlust, which means that you can immediately be assured that Parfaxitas know what they’re doing. Continue reading “Parfaxitas – Weaver of the Black Moon (Review)”

Árstíðir Lífsins – Aldrlok (Review)

Árstíðir Lífsins - AldrlokThis is the sixth album from Árstíðir Lífsins, an international, (Germany/Iceland), black metal band.

2020’s epic Saga á tveim tungum II: Eigi fjǫll né firðir was a notable album that introduced me to Árstíðir Lífsins, and I thoroughly enjoyed 20203’s Hermalausaz even more. This means I’ve been looking forward to Aldrlok ever since I became aware of its presence on the blackened horizon. Continue reading “Árstíðir Lífsins – Aldrlok (Review)”

SIG:AR:TYR – Citadel of Stars (Review)

SIG AR TYR - Citadel of StarsThis is the fifth album from Canadian black metal band SIG:AR:TYR.

The promo blurb tells us that Citadel of Stars is for fans of Bathory, Primordial, Falkenbach, Emperor, and Agalloch. This sets the scene nicely for what SIG:AR:TYR have to offer, and should also hopefully speak to how accomplished this album is too. Continue reading “SIG:AR:TYR – Citadel of Stars (Review)”

Wormwood – The Star (Review)

Wormwood - The StarWormwood are a Swedish black metal band and this is their fourth album.

It’s great to have some new Wormwood material out in the wild. 2021’s Arkivet was a notable album, so The Star is one I have been anticipating. Across 47 minutes Wormwood prove that Arkivet was no fluke. Continue reading “Wormwood – The Star (Review)”

Whoredom Rife – Den Vrede Makt (Review)

Whoredom Rife - Den Vrede MaktWhoredom Rife are a Norwegian black metal band and this is their fourth album.

Containing an ex-member of Keep of Kalessin, Whoredom Rife bring us a scathing slice of classic Norwegian black metal. Den Vrede Makt delivers 50 minutes of material played with authentic passion and lethal skill. Continue reading “Whoredom Rife – Den Vrede Makt (Review)”