Black metal – Page 24 – Wonderbox Metal

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)”

Modern Rites – Endless (Review)

This is the second album from Modern Rites, a Swiss/US black metal band.

Endless is the follow up to 2021’s Monuments and contains 41 minuets of new music from Modern Rites, (who are made up of members of Aara and Kuyashii). It’s a wonderfully realised expression of aggressively bleak blackened darkness. Continue reading “Modern Rites – Endless (Review)”

Sur Austru – Datura Străhiarelor (Review)

Sur Austru are an atmospheric black/folk metal band from Romania and this is their third album.

Datura Străhiarelor is the 54-minute follow up to 2019’s Meteahna Timpurilor and 2021’s Obârșie. Sur Austru’s path is not a well-trodden one, and on this new album the band have travelled further into the wilderness, to great effect. Continue reading “Sur Austru – Datura Străhiarelor (Review)”

Ellende – Todbringerin (Review)

This is the fifth album from Ellende, a solo black metal band from Austria.

I’ve heard of Ellende for a while, but this is my first encounter with the band. I have to say, I wish I’d paid more attention earlier, as this is sterling stuff. Todbringerin contains 50 minutes of expressive black metal. Continue reading “Ellende – Todbringerin (Review)”

Spectral Wound – Songs of Blood and Mire (Review)

This is the fourth album from Canadian black metallers Spectral Wound.

Songs of Blood and Mire boasts 44 minutes of lethal black metal. Stylistically we’re talking a mixture of the Norwegian, Finnish, and Canadian scenes, so if you’re a fan of bands such as Behexen, Forteresse, Gorgoroth, Sargeist, Tsjuder, etc., then this is for you. Continue reading “Spectral Wound – Songs of Blood and Mire (Review)”

Wrach – Quae Infra Volo Videre (Review)

This is the debut album from Wrach, a Welsh solo black metal band.

Quad Infra Volo Videre contains 48 minutes of sinister underground black metal. It’s inspired by the 90s second wave style, but other influences from across the last few decades have been drawn into its malevolent embrace, giving it more of a 00s feel overall. Continue reading “Wrach – Quae Infra Volo Videre (Review)”

Lust Hag/Reaping Fields – Prayers Unanswered – Split (Review)

This is a split between two US black metal bands, Lust Hag and Reaping Fields.

NEW LUST HAG! ALERT! ALERT! ALERT! I dunno what it is with Lust Hag, but I just can’t get enough. Actually, I know exactly what it is – it’s just absolutely killer black metal. This is a split though, and Reaping Fields, as we’ll see, are a revelation. Continue reading “Lust Hag/Reaping Fields – Prayers Unanswered – Split (Review)”