Ashbringer – Subglacial (Review)

Ashbringer - SubglacialThis is the fifth album from US post-black metal band Ashbringer.

Following on from 2019’s Absolution and 2023’s We Came Here to GrieveSubglacial brings us 40 minutes of Ashbringer’s compelling approach to black metal. Let’s get this out of the way first – this Continue reading “Ashbringer – Subglacial (Review)”

Serpent Ascending, Ôros Kaù, Swords of Dis, and Midnight Odyssey – From the Waters of Death – Split (Review)

Serpent Ascending, Ôros Kaù, Swords of Dis, and Midnight Odyssey - From the Waters of Death - SplitSerpent Ascending, Ôros Kaù, Swords of Dis, and Midnight Odyssey have joined together to produce an epic split album.

Now here’s an interesting and unusual release. This massive split is a collaborative concept album aimed at providing a contemporary retelling of the Epic of Gilgamesh. From the Waters of Death brings together an array of atypical talent from the exceptional I, Voidhanger roster, and is something you should definitely be paying attention to if Continue reading “Serpent Ascending, Ôros Kaù, Swords of Dis, and Midnight Odyssey – From the Waters of Death – Split (Review)”

Udręka – Nieistnienie (Review)

Udręka - NieistnienieUdręka are a black metal band from Poland and this is their debut album.

Nieistnienie contains 39 minutes of ferocious modern black metal. Spliced with elements of hardcore and death metal to give it additional power and bulk, this is an imposing release that’s filled with grim sonic violence. Udręka have come out of nowhere and Continue reading “Udręka – Nieistnienie (Review)”

Agenbite Misery – Remorse of Conscience (Review)

Agenbite Misery - Remorse of ConscienceThis is the debut album from Agenbite Misery, a US black/death/sludge metal band.

Okay, it’s to the promo blurb for this one – “…the band began with a deceptively simple idea: to adapt James Joyce’s Ulysses into an experimental metal album. What emerged from that idea is a 55-minute odyssey of layered sonic aggression and literary depth, an album that blends blackened sludge, dissonant death metal, post-punk, ambient drone, and more into a singular, genre-defying statement of purpose.” So there you have it. Continue reading “Agenbite Misery – Remorse of Conscience (Review)”

Mayhem – Liturgy of Death (Review)

Mayhem - Liturgy of DeathThis is the seventh album from legendary Norwegian black metallers Mayhem.

New Mayhem material is always A Big Event. Despite enjoying 2019’s Daemon, it wasn’t quite as special compared to the band’s other records. So what of the 49-minute Liturgy of Death? Does it suffer the same malady? Continue reading “Mayhem – Liturgy of Death (Review)”

MØL – Dreamcrush (Review)

MØL - DreamcrushMØL are a post-black metal band from Denmark and this is their third album.

With 2018’s Jord and then 2021’s Diorama, MØL have established themselves as quality purveyors of sharp, shiny post-black metal. Now, with the 44-minute Dreamcrush, they consolidate their position, offering up their most polished and well-rounded album to date. Continue reading “MØL – Dreamcrush (Review)”

Gorrch – Stillamentum (Review)

Gorrch - StillamentumThis is the second album from Italian black metal band Gorrch.

Across 37 minutes Gorrch rage with furious intensity, and do so with a slithering dissonance that’s born of arcane venom. Stillamentum is vicious, but not without nuance or layers. In fact, there’s a quite a lot under the surface of the claustrophobic nightmarescape that Stillamentum portrays. Continue reading “Gorrch – Stillamentum (Review)”

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)”