This is the fourth album from Norwegian black/death/thrash metal solo act Vredehammer.
It’s been a while since I’ve caught up with Vredehammer – 2016’s Violator in fact, a record which I enjoyed a great deal. God Slayer provides 39 minutes of satisfying extreme metal for the listener to enjoy. Now a solo act, (with the formidable ex-Dark Funeral/Nordjevel drummer as session musician), Vredehammer’s latest record hits the spot. Continue reading “Vredehammer – God Slayer (Review)”
This is a split between black metal bands Häxanu, from the US, and Greve, from Sweden.
Häxanu open up the split, with four tracks that last 20 minutes in total. I was a big fan of 2023’s Totenpass, which is why I knew I wanted to check out this split when it appeared on my radar. Continue reading “Häxanu/Greve – Naturmystik – Split (Review)”
Downcross are a black metal band from Belarus and this is their sixth album.
White Tower contains 43 minutes of melodic black metal. It’s sharp and well-performed, and Downcross showcase what they’re capable of with attitude and force. Continue reading “Downcross – White Tower (Review)”
This is the third album from Ukrainian black metal band Sidus Atrum.
2022’s Spiral of Life made a strong impression on me, and I really enjoyed it. This makes Розірване Небо (Torn Sky) one I’ve definitely been looking forward to. On Torn Sky Sidus Atrum have expanded to a duo, bringing us 37 minutes of new music. Continue reading “Sidus Atrum – Розірване Небо (Torn Sky) (Review)”
This is the third album from French black metal act Jours Pâles.
Jours Pâles’ debut album Éclosion was a surprise hit of 2021 for me, and while 2022 follow up Tensions was a worthy successor, it was released too late in the year to impact upon list season. So, now we have 46 minutes of new material to work through on Dissolution, how have Jours Pâles fared this time around? Continue reading “Jours Pâles – Dissolution (Review)”
Devourer are a black/death metal band from Sweden and this is their fifth album.
Devourer immediately struck a chord with me on their 2017 album Across the Empty Plains. Since then, they have also produced 2019’s Dawn of Extinction and 2022’s Raptus, both quality records that continued to showcase Devourer as a force to be reckoned with. The band are now back with The Wicked Ones, and sound more focused than ever. Continue reading “Devourer – The Wicked Ones (Review)”
Svneatr are a Canadian black metal band and this is their third album.
Across six tracks Never Return delivers 40 minutes of progressive black metal. Taking a second wave base and building on it with contemporary influences and an array of additional musical layers, Svneatr’s music is impressive and moreish. Continue reading “Svneatr – Never Return (Review)”
This is the second album from Naxen, a German black metal band.
Descending into a Deeper Darkness is the follow up to 2020’s Towards the Tomb of Times, and contains 43 minutes of new material that’s spread out over four sprawling tracks. Naxen were already a quality band before this, but Descending into a Deeper Darkness sees them raise their standards even higher. Continue reading “Naxen – Descending into a Deeper Darkness (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 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)”
Wonderbox Metal 