This is the second album from US black metal act Häxanu.
Featuring a current/ex-member of bands such as Chaos Moon, Krieg, Ringarë, Skáphe, and Manetheren, Totenpass contains 45 minutes of sleek melodic black metal with plenty of experience. Continue reading “Häxanu – Totenpass (Review)”
This is the third album from Scáth na Déithe, an Irish black/death metal band.
Having enjoyed 2020’s The Dirge of Endless Mourning, I have been looking forward to what Virulent Providence has to offer. It has not disappointed. Continue reading “Scáth na Déithe – Virulent Providence (Review)”
This is the debut album from US black metal band Returning.
Containing 48 minutes of music, Severance is a journey into the horrors of ecocide and a hymn to the natural world. Blending black metal with the ambient and atmospheric styles to create immersive soundscapes that exude emotional power, Severance is a shock to the system and a call for better times. Continue reading “Returning – Severance (Review)”
This is the latest release from Austrian black metal band Carathis.
Carathis is essentially a solo act that is augmented by a drummer. This is an interesting release in that it consists of two EPs. The Amethyst Fortress, (the first five tracks), came out in 2021, and The Moonstone Temple, (the final four tracks), which is not officially released on digital until this compilation is on CD in February 2023. Continue reading “Carathis – Amethyst & Moonstone (Review)”
Stygian Love is a one-man black metal band from Belgium and this is his second album.
Containing 44 minutes of material, Flowers Fade mixes together atmospheric, depressive, and post-black metal into a compelling vision of blackgaze darkness. Continue reading “Stygian Love – Flowers Fade (Review)”
Bizarrekult are a Norwegian post-black metal band and this is their second album.
Formed around a central artist who is Bizarrekult’s driving creative force, he’s joined by a range of other musicians, (including a member of the mighty Adliga), who round out the band nicely. The end result of their efforts is Den Tapte Krigen, a 42-minute slice of expressive modern black metal. Continue reading “Bizarrekult – Den Tapte Krigen (Review)”
Lumen ad Mortem are a black metal band from Australia and this is their debut album.
Upon the Edge of Darkness is a 42-minute second wave symphonic black metal journey, played with grim determination and blackened intensity. This is an interesting release. Lumen ad Mortem’s style is influenced by the 90s black metal era, especially the symphonic side. However, taken by itself that statement is misleading. Continue reading “Lumen ad Mortem – Upon the Edge of Darkness (Review)”
This is the sixth album from Finnish black metallers …And Oceans.
…And Oceans play symphonic black metal, and As in Gardens, so in Tombs provides us with 50 minutes of sharp, professional music, (58 minutes with the bonus tracks). It’s redolent with second wave symphonic splendour, and this is an album that really exemplifies the style. Are you ready for a slice of pure black metal mastery? Continue reading “…And Oceans – As in Gardens, so in Tombs (Review)”
This is the fourth album from US black metal act Ashen Horde.
Ashen Horde boast current and ex-members of bands such as Abhoria, Norse, Somnium Nox, Inferi, Equipoise, and Virulent Depravity in their ranks, and we’ve met them before on Nine Plagues and The Alchemist. Now they’re back with Antimony, a 51-minute vision of gripping extreme metal, (49 minutes without the bonus Therapy? cover). Continue reading “Ashen Horde – Antimony (Review)”
Vahrzaw are an Australian black metal band and this is their fifth album.
Having enjoyed 2014’s Twin Suns & Wolves’ Tongues, 2018’s Husk, and 2021’s The Trembling Voices of Conquered Men, I was always going to have to check out the new Vahrzaw album. Continue reading “Vahrzaw – In the Shallows of a Starlit Lake (Review)”
Wonderbox Metal 