Black metal – Page 25 – Wonderbox Metal

Cistvaen – At Light’s Demise (Review)

This is the debut album from UK atmospheric black metallers Cistvaen.

I like this form of atmospheric black metal, and I like it even more when it’s played with a weighty doom component, as it is here. The promo blurb mentions bands like Agalloch, Fen, My Dying Bride, Alcest, Insomnium, Wolves in the Throne Room, and Winterfylleth, amongst others, so this should give you a good starting point for approaching the 58 minutes of music on At Light’s Demise. Continue reading “Cistvaen – At Light’s Demise (Review)”

Verberis – The Apophatic Wilderness (Review)

This is the third album from Verberis, a black metal band from New Zealand.

I discovered Verberis on their 2022 album Adumbration of the Veiled Logos, and was very impressed. So when this new record appeared, it was with no small amount of excited interest that I hurriedly pressed play, eagerly to soak up its esoteric charms. Continue reading “Verberis – The Apophatic Wilderness (Review)”

MNHG – Necare (Review)

This is the second album from German black metallers MNHG.

Necare is the 37-minute follow up to 2021’s Mundare. This new record sees the band taking firm strides forward with their music, with stronger performances and production values that allow the nine tracks to shine. Continue reading “MNHG – Necare (Review)”

Aristarchos – Martyr of Star and Fire (Review)

This is the second album from Scottish black metallers Aristarchos.

Following on from 2021’s self titled debut, Martyr of Star and Fire brings us 33 minutes of new material. I’m still none the wiser as to whether Aristarchos is the product of a full band or just an individual, but either way, it’s a band that continues to progress and impress. Continue reading “Aristarchos – Martyr of Star and Fire (Review)”

Mountain Shadow – Mountain Shadow (Review)

This is the debut album from US black metal band Mountain Shadow.

Mountain Shadow play atmospheric black metal and their self titled record contains 53 minutes of material. It might not be what you’re expecting though, as Mountain Shadow have created something a little different in some ways on these eight tracks. Continue reading “Mountain Shadow – Mountain Shadow (Review)”

Verwoed – The Mother (Review)

This is the second album from Dutch black metal solo act Verwoed.

Drawn in by the evocative cover art, I approached The Mother with expectations of dark splendour and vicious aggression. I soon found more than I had bargained for, as the artist behind Verwoed took me on a multifaceted 44-minute journey into the sort of black metal waters that are normally best avoided due to how vibrant, otherworldly, and treacherous they are. Continue reading “Verwoed – The Mother (Review)”

Vorga – Beyond the Palest Star (Review)

This is the second album from Vorga, a German black metal band.

With 2022’s Striving Toward Oblivion Vorga made a notable impact in the world of melodic black metal. Now they’re back with Beyond the Palest Star, which delivers another sci-fi trip through 43 minutes of sharp melodic aggression. Continue reading “Vorga – Beyond the Palest Star (Review)”

Sacrificial Vein – Black Terror Genesis (Review)

Sacrificial Vein are a black metal band from the US and this is their debut album.

Containing the singer of Nothingness in their ranks, Sacrificial Vein play avant-garde/dissonant black metal. Black Terror Genesis is a 47-minute journey into darkness. Continue reading “Sacrificial Vein – Black Terror Genesis (Review)”

Udåd – Udåd (Review)

This is the debut album from Norwegian solo black metal act Udåd.

Brought to us by the artist behind Mork, Udåd contains 47 minutes of raw, old-school black metal. Udåd contains primal blackened energies that are channelled directly from the early 90s, but given a creative twist of the knife by the artist’s keen vision. Continue reading “Udåd – Udåd (Review)”

Wormwitch/Sadistic Ritual – Split (Review)

Wormwitch are a black metal band from Canada and Sadistic Ritual are a thrash metal band from the US.

Barring a couple of singles in 2022, this is the first we’ve heard from Wormwitch since 2021’s Wolf Hex, (also make sure you check out 2019’s Heaven That Dwells Within if you haven’t already), so these three songs – 16 minutes of new material – are a welcome sight. Continue reading “Wormwitch/Sadistic Ritual – Split (Review)”