Arallu – Death Covenant (Review)

Arallu - Death CovenantArallu are black metal band from Israel and this is their eighth album.

A new Arallu album is always worth checking out. Over the years the band have amassed an enviable discography, (don’t miss Geniewar, Six, Desert Battles – Descending to the Sands, or En Olam), so it’s always a pleasure to encounter them once more. Continue reading “Arallu – Death Covenant (Review)”

Golgata – Ur Eld Och Aska (Review)

Golgata - Ur Eld Och AskaThis is the third album from Swedish black metallers Golgata.

2020’s Tempel was an enjoyable journey into Golgata’s world, so I’m glad to revisit it once more and see what their latest release has to offer. Continue reading “Golgata – Ur Eld Och Aska (Review)”

Helvellyn – The Lore of the Cloaked Assembly (Review)

Helvellyn - The Lore of the Cloaked AssemblyHelvellyn are a black metal band from the UK and this is their debut album.

Containing 38 minutes of material, The Lore of the Cloaked Assembly delivers black metal steeped in the old ways; Helvellyn worship at the altar of 90s second wave black metal. The band have clearly been blessed by their dark gods, as their music recalls the classics, while also offering something worth listening to in 2022. Continue reading “Helvellyn – The Lore of the Cloaked Assembly (Review)”

Procession of Spectres – A Vast Tomb (Review)

Procession of Spectres - A Vast TombThis is the latest EP from Irish black metallers Procession of Spectres.

Containing just two tracks, this 20-minute EP showcases Procession of Spectres’ blackened talents to great effect. Continue reading “Procession of Spectres – A Vast Tomb (Review)”

Gorycz – Kamienie (Review)

Gorycz - KamienieGorycz are a Polish post-black metal band and this is their second album.

Gorycz feature members of Non Opus Dei, and Kamienie is a 37-minute exploration of non-standard music. Stirring together ingredients from black metal, post-rock, and sludge into a tasty post-black metal cocktail, Gorycz’s music is individual and Continue reading “Gorycz – Kamienie (Review)”

Black Anvil – Regenesis (Review)

Black Anvil - RegenesisThis is the fifth album from US black metal band Black Anvil.

2014’s Hail Death and 2017’s As Was were both enjoyable records that made an impact. The latter took the band in increasingly atmospheric and progressive directions, so what does the 50-minute Regenesis offer? Continue reading “Black Anvil – Regenesis (Review)”

Exordium Mors – As Legends Fade and Gods Die (Review)

Exordium Mors - As Legends Fade and Gods DieThis is the second album from Exordium Mors, a black metal band from New Zealand.

It has been eight long years since 2014’s The Apotheosis of Death, but now Exordium Mors have returned triumphant with the 43-minute As Legends Fade and Gods Die. Continue reading “Exordium Mors – As Legends Fade and Gods Die (Review)”

Jordfäst – Av Stoft (Review)

Jordfäst - Av StoftThis is the second album from Swedish black metallers Jordfäst.

Av Stoft contains just two tracks, the first of which lasts 16 minutes, and the next 17 minutes. During these two lengthy songs we are taken on an epic, windswept journey into Jordfäst’s world.

If you think of bands such as Skagos, Ulver, Primordial, Wolves in the Throne Room, Bathory, and Skogen, (the singer of which guests here), you’ll have a rough idea of what Av Stoft contains. Continue reading “Jordfäst – Av Stoft (Review)”

Voidthrone – Metaphysical Degradation (Review)

Voidthrone - Metaphysical DegradationVoidthrone are a US black metal band and this is their third album.

I enjoyed both 2016’s Spiritual War Tactics and 2018’s Kur, so after four long years it’s about time we heard more from Voidthrone. Metaphysical Degradation is a 38-minute mix of black and death metal dissonance, delivered with spite and wrapped in venom. Continue reading “Voidthrone – Metaphysical Degradation (Review)”