Serpent Column – Aion of Strife (Review)

Serpent Column - Aion of StrifeThis is the fifth album from US solo black metal band Serpent Column.

Following on from 2024’s Tassel of Ares, Aion of Strife contains 50 minutes of new material from the esteemed Serpent Column. Prepare yourself for overstimulating oblivion. Continue reading “Serpent Column – Aion of Strife (Review)”

Archvile King – Aux Heures Désespérées (Review)

Archvile King - Aux Heures DésespéréesThis is the second album from French solo black metal band Archvile King.

I enjoyed my time with 2022’s À la Ruine, so a new record from Archvile King is not unwelcome at all. Aux Heures Désespérées boasts 47 minutes of new material, and it’s pretty damn good. Continue reading “Archvile King – Aux Heures Désespérées (Review)”

The Ruins of Beverast – Tempelschlaf (Review)

The Ruins of Beverast - TempelschlafThis is the seventh album from one-man German black/doom metal metal band The Ruins of Beverast.

For some reason it feels like an age since The Thule Grimoires came out, but it was only actually 2021. As such, the arrival of Tempelschlaf feels like an occasion of note. The artist behind The Ruins of Beverast has amassed a great deal of experience and renown across his career – can Tempelschlaf keep the momentum going? Continue reading “The Ruins of Beverast – Tempelschlaf (Review)”

Ellende – Zerfall (Review)

Ellende - ZerfallThis is the sixth album from Ellende, a solo black metal band from Austria.

Following on from 2024’s Todbringerin, Zerfall contains 52 minutes of new material. The artist behind Ellende specialises in post-black metal that uses blackgaze elements to produce emotive, mood-focused music. Continue reading “Ellende – Zerfall (Review)”

Fuath – III (Review)

Fuath - IIIThis is the third album from Fuath, a one-man UK black metal band.

I enjoyed 2020’s II, so the appearance of III is a most welcome sight. Brought to us by the artist behind Saor, this is old-school black metal with an atmospheric focus. III contains four songs and clocks in at 43 minutes in total duration. Continue reading “Fuath – III (Review)”

Nemorous – What Remains When Hope Has Failed (Review)

Nemorous - What Remains When Hope Has FailedNemorous are a UK black metal band and this is their debut album.

What Remains When Hope Has Failed has been a long time coming for yours truly. Arising from the ashes of the mighty Wodensthrone, Nemorous gave us their self-titled debut EP in 2021, and it was gloriously good. I then had the privilege of seeing them play this release live a couple of years ago when they played with Continue reading “Nemorous – What Remains When Hope Has Failed (Review)”

Dimholt – Metaform (Review)

Dimholt - MetaformDimholt are a Bulgarian black metal band and this is their third album.

I enjoyed 2014’s Liberation Funeral and 2019’s Epistēmē – I had thought I reviewed the latter too, but apparently not. Which brings us to Metaform; 52 minutes of quality and enjoyable black metal. Continue reading “Dimholt – Metaform (Review)”

Martröð – Draumsýnir Eldsins (Review)

Martröð - Draumsýnir EldsinsThis is the debut album from international, (Iceland/US), black metallers Martröð.

Martröð is brought to us by current/ex-members of Chaos Moon, Häxanu, Osgraef, Ringarë, Manetheren, Vörnir, Wormlust, and a whole lot more. Draumsýnir Eldsins contains four songs spread over 37 minutes, and takes the listener on a journey into spectral dissonance. Continue reading “Martröð – Draumsýnir Eldsins (Review)”

Argus Megere – Cerburea Apusului (Review)

Argus Megere - Cerburea ApusuluiArgus Megere are a Romanian black metal band and this is their fifth album.

Cerburea Apusului is the long awaited follow up to 2017’s VEII. It may have been a while since their last record, but Argus Megere have certainly not aged poorly. There’s a lot to absorb across Cerburea Apulsului. This is an album that’s easy to enjoy upon first experience, but it really settles into its own natural rhythms after repeated spins. Continue reading “Argus Megere – Cerburea Apusului (Review)”