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)”
This is the second album from Glyph, a one-man black metal band from the US.
We turn now to solo act Glyph for a 37-minute trip into a black metal underworld that’s a work of individuality and obvious passion. There’s a special sort of mysterious, esoteric magic that surrounds The Time of Peril, one that’s quite intoxicating to delve into. Continue reading “Glyph – The Time of Peril (Review)”
This is the second album from French one-man black metal band Inherits the Void.
Following on from 2021’s Monolith of Light, The Impending Fall of the Stars brings us 43 minutes of mood-rich black metal. Bolstered by additional musicians on drums and piano/keyboards, the artist behind Inherit the Void has crafted an album to fall deeply into. Continue reading “Inherits the Void – The Impending Fall of the Stars (Review)”
This is the debut album from Ὁπλίτης (otherwise known as Hoplites), a one-man post-black metal band from China.
Ψευδομένη contains 38 minutes of experimental avant-garde black metal. The artist behind Ὁπλίτης has combined a lot of different styles and influences into this record. Imagine Blut Aus Nord, Jute Gyte, and Deathspell Omega crossed with Frontierer, Converge, and Sectioned, along with a touch of Ephel Duath and Oranssi Pazuzu, and you’ll have a rough idea of what you’ll encounter here. Continue reading “Ὁπλίτης (Hoplites) – Ψευδομένη (Review)”
This is the fourth album from Swedish black metal band Grá.
Featuring the singer of Dark Funeral on vocals/guitar, Grá play black metal in the classic Swedish style. Lean, mean, and lethal, Lycaon boasts 36 minutes of delicious blackened material for the listener to get demolished by. Continue reading “Grá – Lycaon (Review)”
This is the second album from Рожь (otherwise known as Rye), a one-man post-black metal band from Russia.
Across 47 minutes Всё provides a compelling and utterly absorbing journey into dark feelings and blackened emotion. Honestly, this is not one to miss if you enjoy highly emotive blackened immersion. Continue reading “Рожь (Rye) – Всё (Review)”
This is the debut album from Greek black metallers Wothrosch.
To open this review I’m just going to lazily reference the promo blurb, which states that Odium is for for fans of Septicflesh, Anaal Nathrakh, Shining, Behemoth, and Fleshgod Apocalypse. It also states, “Imagine the soundscape experience of Septicflesh clashing into the furiosity of Anaal Nathrakh: that is what Wothrosch sounds like.”
So now you know. Continue reading “Wothrosch – Odium (Review)”
This is the second album from German one-man black metal act Leipa.
Containing 39 minutes of material, Reue is fast and sharp, (although not exclusively so), offering black metal that’s melodic and well-written. The artist behind Leipa has a clear vision for his music, and has more than enough talent to realise it. Continue reading “Leipa – Reue (Review)”
Wonderbox Metal 