Black metal – Page 66 – Wonderbox Metal

Wormwitch – Wolf Hex (Review)

This is the third album from Canadian black metallers Wormwitch.

Wolf Hex is the 34-minute follow up to 2019’s very well-received Heaven That Dwells Within, but it’s somewhat of a different record to its predecessor. Although obviously the same band, (but with a different lineup), Wolf Hex is rawer and less-polished, and owes more to the underground scenes; it sounds loose, organic, and unforced, and the songs benefit from this approach throughout the album. Continue reading “Wormwitch – Wolf Hex (Review)”

Modern Rites – Monuments (Review)

This is the debut album from Modern Rites, a Swiss/US black metal band.

Featuring members of Aara and Kuyashii, Monuments contains 37 minutes of modern blackened aggression that mainly exists in the melodic black metal sphere, but not exclusively. The music also borrows from the wellspring of 90s industrial music, (which can be especially felt in some of the melodies, structuring, and atmospheres), as well as some of the more brutal strains of modern black metal. Continue reading “Modern Rites – Monuments (Review)”

Remah – Une Main (Review)

Remah are an international black metal band and this is their debut album.

Une Main adopts a modern approach to its black metal, one which adapts elements of the depressive, second wave, and atmospheric styles for its own nefarious use. Alongside this sit darkwave and psychedelic influences, both of which add extra depth to the band’s blackened repertoire. Continue reading “Remah – Une Main (Review)”

Fluisteraars – Gegrepen door de Geest der Zielsontluiking (Review)

This is the fourth album from black metal band Fluisteraars, who are from the Netherlands.

Hot on the heels of 2020’s Bloem, Fluisteraars have now returned with 36 minutes of new material. On their latest release Fluisteraars once again return to their longer offerings, (there are only three songs here, and the longest lasts 20 minutes), and they do so with skill and potency. Continue reading “Fluisteraars – Gegrepen door de Geest der Zielsontluiking (Review)”

Wolves in the Throne Room – Primordial Arcana (Review)

This is the seventh album from US black metallers Wolves in the Throne Room.

A new Wolves in the Throne Room album is a huge event, especially for me, as they’re essentially one of my favourite bands.

With a rawer, sharper sound than Continue reading “Wolves in the Throne Room – Primordial Arcana (Review)”

Francis Root/Sconsacrata – Split (Review)

Francis Root, (based in Norway), and Sconsacrata, (based in the UK), are both solo black metal acts who have teamed up for this split release, (both artists are also in sludge metal band Beggar).

Francis Root start us off, with 19 minutes of material. The style of the four songs we’re presented with is one that’s modern and progressive, with elements of electronica and industrial sewn into the music. Continue reading “Francis Root/Sconsacrata – Split (Review)”

Withered Land – The Endless Journey (Review)

Withered Land are a black metal band from Belarus, and this is their debut album.

Withered Land play atmospheric black metal with influences from the folk and dungeon synth styles. Across 38 minutes The Endless Journey delivers epic atmospheric music that’s quite absorbing. Fans of acts such as Falkenbach, Summoning, and Windir should take note. Continue reading “Withered Land – The Endless Journey (Review)”

Necronautical – Slain in the Spirit (Review)

Necronautical are a UK black metal band and this is their fourth album.

Featuring members of Winterfylleth and Foetal Juice, Necronautical play black metal influenced by the second wave, in particular the keyboard-enhanced symphonic side of it. To this is added a muscular death metal influence, which is streamlined by the blackened core of the band and used to add a lethal edge to the music. There’s also a progressive metal influence that can felt on occasion, usually in a particular riff, solo, or melody, for example. Continue reading “Necronautical – Slain in the Spirit (Review)”

Underdark – Our Bodies Burned Bright on Re-Entry (Review)

Underdark are a post-black metal band from the UK and this is their debut album.

Underdark combine black metal, post-rock, post-hardcore/screamo, and blackgaze into their sound. That might sound like a slightly strange mix of subgenres, but on Our Bodies Burned Bright on Re-Entry these influences all coalesce into a very effective and enjoyable 36 minutes of post-blackened darkness. Although Continue reading “Underdark – Our Bodies Burned Bright on Re-Entry (Review)”

Ondfødt – Norden (Review)

This is the third album from Finnish black metallers Ondfødt, a duo whose members are also in Dispyt.

I always like catching up with what Ondfødt are offering. I enjoyed 2014’s Hexkonst and 2019’s Dödsrikets Kallelse, so now it’s time to turn to Norden with positive expectations. Continue reading “Ondfødt – Norden (Review)”