This is the second album from UK black/thrash metallers Devastator.
Conjurers of Cruelty boasts 51 minutes of material, (44 without the two bonus tracks), delivering a feast of filthy riffs, corroded teeth, and overgrown claws. Continue reading “Devastator – Conjurers of Cruelty (Review)”
This is the third album from French black metallers Griffon.
I enjoyed 2020’s ὸ θεός ὸ βασιλεύς, so knew I wanted to check out De Republica when it appeared. Across 37 minutes Griffon once again demonstrate their mastery of historically themed black metal. Continue reading “Griffon – De Republica (Review)”
This is the second album from US one-woman black metal band Hulder.
2022’s The Eternal Fanfare grew on me over time the more I listened to it, so I’ve been looking forward to Verses in Oath. I’m pleased to say that it has met my expectations. Continue reading “Hulder – Verses in Oath (Review)”
This is the latest EP from US black metal band Obsidian Tongue.
I’ve never properly reviewed anything by Obsidian Tongue, although I did love 2020’s Volume III and included it here. My very brief overview of “Highly accomplished atmospheric black metal with a voice of its own.” still applies, and The Stone Heart is definitely one to check out if you’re a fan of bands such as Agalloch, Wolves in the Throne Room, Wilt, Alda, etc. Continue reading “Obsidian Tongue – The Stone Heart (Review)”
Solbrud are a black metal band from Denmark and this is their fourth album.
IIII is an album of four parts, each written by one of Solbrud’s four band members. The end result is an ambitious album with an imposing length – 94 minutes – that takes the listener on a compelling journey into a vast atmospheric black metal vistas. Continue reading “Solbrud – IIII (Review)”
Boarhammer are a German black metal band and this is their debut album.
II: Chemognosis – A Shortcut to Mushrooms contains 45 minutes, (with the bonus track), of old-school black metal. So old-school in fact, that it’s a blend of first and second wave influences, rather than the latter only. Boarhammer channel the spirits of Darkthrone, Venom, Celtic Frost, and Bathory, and they do so rather well. Continue reading “Boarhammer – II: Chemognosis – A Shortcut to Mushrooms (Review)”
Olhava are a Russian ambient/post-black metal band and this is their sixth album.
It’s always a pleasure to hear a new Olhava album. I thoroughly enjoyed both 2021’s Frozen Bloom and 2020’s Reborn, so am more than happy to be able to experience the immersive immensity of Sacrifice. Sacrifice offers a rich feast of atmospheric, ambient, and post-black metal/blackgaze. Continue reading “Olhava – Sacrifice (Review)”
The Infernal Sea are a black metal band from the UK and this is their fourth album.
Following on from 2015’s The Great Mortality and 2020’s Negotium Crucis, Hellfenlic contains 43 minutes of new material for us to eagerly get our grubby hands on. To me, The Infernal Sea are a standout band in the UK scene, and Hellfenlic simply reinforces their exalted status. Continue reading “The Infernal Sea – Hellfenlic (Review)”
This is the sixth album from Cuban black metallers Narbeleth.
I always enjoy a new Narbeleth release. If you haven’t already, make sure you check out 2014’s A Hatred Manifesto, 2015’s Through Blackness and Remote Places, 2017’s Indomitvs, and 2021’s Svmma Cvm Nox Arcana, as all are records worthy of your attention if you enjoy second wave black metal. Continuing the trend of releasing albums with seven originals and one cover song, (Satyricon in this case), A Pale Crown contains 45 minutes of material for black metal devotees to savour. Continue reading “Narbeleth – A Pale Crown (Review)”
This is the fourth album from Ὁπλίτης, (otherwise known as Hoplites), a solo post-black metal band from China.
So, it was January 2023, and out of nowhere Ὁπλίτης appeared into my life with the devastating Ψευδομένη; a uniquely brutal record that introduced me to the atypical blackened world of this enigmatic entity. This, rather unexpectedly, was quickly followed up by the equally destructive Τρωθησομένη and then Ἀντιτιμωρουμένη. This punishing rate of releases Continue reading “Ὁπλίτης (Hoplites) – Παραμαινομένη (Review)”
Wonderbox Metal 