Black metal – Page 24 – Wonderbox Metal

Corpus Diavolis – Elixiria Ekstasis (Review)

This is the fifth album from Corpus Diavolis, a French black metal band.

I enjoyed 2017’s Atra Lumen and 2021’s Apocatastase, (which I honestly thought I had reviewed), so when the promo for Elixiria Ekstasis appeared I wanted very much to be able to get to it. Alas, it was not to be, as sadly there just isn’t enough time in the world. However, as I like Corpus Diavolis I eventually made the mistake of listening to it – a mistake, only because it’s damn good and I knew I had to write about it – which is why, despite this coming out in March, you’re reading this now. Continue reading “Corpus Diavolis – Elixiria Ekstasis (Review)”

Lifvsleda – Evangelii Härold (Review)

Lifvsleda are a Swedish black metal band and this is their third album.

Evangelii Härold brings us 48 minutes of classic-style second wave Scandinavian black metal. Lifvsleda appear to know the genre inside and out, and on Evangelii Härold deliver a display of artistry that’s compelling. Continue reading “Lifvsleda – Evangelii Härold (Review)”

Cryfemal – La Gran Victoria del Mal (Review)

Cryfemal are a Spanish black metal band and this is their ninth album.

We’re going back to 2023 for this one. Why? Well, simply because while I’ve been aware of Cryfemal for some time, I’ve never heard them, so when I recently received the promo for this, I really wanted to check it out. So I did, and it made a big impression. Continue reading “Cryfemal – La Gran Victoria del Mal (Review)”

Infestus – Entzweiung (Review)

This is the sixth album from German solo black metal band Infestus.

Has it really been ten years since 2014’s The Reflecting Void? I really liked that record. With only one album since then – 2018’s Thrypsis, which I somehow missed – I’ve been looking forward to exploring the 46-minute Entzweiung. Continue reading “Infestus – Entzweiung (Review)”

Lust Hag – Lust Hag (Review)

This is the debut album from US one-woman black metal band Lust Hag.

It’s here! It’s finally happening! A full Lust Hag album! Rejoice! This artist was one of my favourite new finds of 2023, so I have been massively looking forward to the day a full album would appear. And now it has – 37 minutes of elite black metal to get to grips with. Let’s be clear from the start – Lust Hag is so damn good it hurts. Continue reading “Lust Hag – Lust Hag (Review)”

Amiensus – Reclamation: Part 1 (Review)

This is the fourth album from US black metallers Amiensus.

Amiensus are a band I’ve really enjoyed watching the development of over the years. 2012’s Restoration was an early highlight, but every release has offered something tasty from the band. Whether this is the stripped back classic approach of 2017’s All Paths Lead to Death, or the standout Abreaction, which rightfully made it onto my 2020 year end list, Amiensus always seem to have something meaningful to say. Continue reading “Amiensus – Reclamation: Part 1 (Review)”

Selbst – Despondency Chord Progressions (Review)

This is the third album from solo black metal act Selbst, originally from Venezuela, and now Chile.

Following on from 2020’s Relatos de Angustia, Despondency Chord Progressions contains 44 minutes of new material. The artist behind Selbst, (also in Animus Mortis), is aided on this release by the drummer of Aversio Humanitatis/Eternal Storm, and has created something quite special. Continue reading “Selbst – Despondency Chord Progressions (Review)”

Blaze of Perdition – Upharsin (Review)

This is the sixth album from Polish black metallers Blaze of Perdition.

I enjoyed 2015’s Near Death Revelations, 2017’s Conscious Darkness, and 2020’s The Harrowing of Hearts, so was pleased when Upharsin appeared. Across its 41-minute duration Blaze of Perdition create a withering storm of hostile black metal and ceremonial atmosphere. Continue reading “Blaze of Perdition – Upharsin (Review)”

Rituals of the Dead Hand – The Wretched and the Vile (Review)

Rituals of the Dead Hand are a Belgian black metal band and this is their third album.

Rituals of the Dead Hand contain two members of Hemelbestormer, and bring us a blackened concoction that contains death and doom metal influences spread across 40 minutes. Continue reading “Rituals of the Dead Hand – The Wretched and the Vile (Review)”

Mòr – Hear the Hour Nearing! (Review)

This is the debut album from French black metallers Mòr.

Containing members of Iffernet and Sordide, Hear the Hour Nearing! is a 44-minute black metal record that merges second wave black metal with a modern delivery. Continue reading “Mòr – Hear the Hour Nearing! (Review)”