Ritual Clearing – Penitence (Review)

Ritual Clearing - PenitenceThis is the debut album from US black metallers Ritual Clearing.

Penitence contains 38 minutes of dark hostility. This is black metal that’s raw and hateful, delivering aggressive music shrouded in blades, spikes, and darkness. Ritual Clearing are ones to watch. Continue reading “Ritual Clearing – Penitence (Review)”

Mephorash – Krystl​-​Ah (Review)

Mephorash - Krystl​-​AhThis is the fifth album from Swedish black metallers Mephorash.

It has been four long years since 2019’s colossal Shem Ha Mephorash first graced the world with its infernal presence, and we’re now due a new emanation from this esoteric act. Behold Krystl-Ah! Yes, Mephorash have gifted us with 67 minutes of new material, and once again, Mephorash have created an impressive album that’s absolutely huge in more ways than one. Continue reading “Mephorash – Krystl​-​Ah (Review)”

Night Crowned – Tales (Review)

Night Crowned - TalesThis is the third album from Swedish black metal band Night Crowned.

I thoroughly enjoyed 2021’s Hädanfärd, and my appreciation for its dark charms has only increased over time. Tales gives us 43 minutes of new material, and I have been looking forward to hearing what it has to offer. Continue reading “Night Crowned – Tales (Review)”

Heretoir – Nightsphere (Review)

Heretoir - NightsphereHeretoir are a post-black metal band from Germany and this is their third album.

Nightsphere contains 42 minutes of atmospheric post-black metal. Heretoir have an emotive, textured delivery, and across this album they seriously impress. Continue reading “Heretoir – Nightsphere (Review)”

Enevelde – En Gildere Død (Review)

Enevelde - En Gildere DødThis is the second album from Enevelde, a Norwegian solo black metal band.

2020’s Enevelde was an enjoyable record that made a good impression. Now the artist behind Enevelde has returned with 39 minutes of new material, showcasing the sort of well-rounded black metal that’s a definite cut above the norm. Continue reading “Enevelde – En Gildere Død (Review)”

Feminizer – Beneath the Harm (Review)

Feminizer - Beneath the HarmThis is the second album from US one-woman black metal band Feminizer.

Beneath the Harm is a 43-minute journey into nightmare and pain, one that’s frequently gorgeous, despite its venomous bite. It’s a multifaceted exploration of raw blackened expression. It’s one that embraces the artist’s vision wholly, resulting in material that drips emotion and passion through every devastating pore. Continue reading “Feminizer – Beneath the Harm (Review)”

Bihargam – Executioner Star (Review)

Bihargam - Executioner StarBihargam are a black metal band from the US and this is their latest EP.

Following on from 2020’s Ove TenebraeExecutioner Star contains two new songs and a Soundgarden cover, making for a total duration of a little over 16 minutes. Continue reading “Bihargam – Executioner Star (Review)”

Pénitence Onirique – Nature Morte (Review)

Pénitence Onirique - Nature MorteThis is the third album from French black metallers Pénitence Onirique.

Following on from 2016’s V.I.T.R.I.O.L. and 2019’s Vestige comes Nature Morte; 46 minutes of glorious celestial violence and deep immersive feeling. Oh my, this is a good one. Continue reading “Pénitence Onirique – Nature Morte (Review)”

Impalement – The Dawn of Blackened Death (Review)

Impalement - The Dawn of Blackened DeathThis is the second album from Swiss solo black metal act Impalement.

Blending together black and death metal into 41 minutes of dark malevolence and infernal might, The Dawn of Blackened Death is an album of powerful presence. Continue reading “Impalement – The Dawn of Blackened Death (Review)”

Wayfarer – American Gothic (Review)

Wayfarer - American GothicThis is the fifth album from US black metal band Wayfarer.

After such a strong run of albums – 2014’s Children of the Iron Age, 2016’s Old Souls, 2018’s World’s Blood, and 2020’s A Romance with Violence – expectations are high for American Gothic. Continue reading “Wayfarer – American Gothic (Review)”