Ashlands – Ashlands II (Review)

Ashlands - Ashlands IIThis is the second EP from Italian atmospheric black metal band Ashlands.

Here we have an 18-minute EP featuring two intro/interlude-style tracks and two more standard songs. Continue reading “Ashlands – Ashlands II (Review)”

Vous Autres – Sel de Pierre (Review)

Vous Autres - Sel de PierreThis is the second album from French black metallers Vous Autres.

Vous Autres’ black metal has a strong sludge metal undercurrent flowing through it, and it’s a combination that has produced an album of sublime merit. Continue reading “Vous Autres – Sel de Pierre (Review)”

Uada – Djinn (Review)

Uada - DjinnThis is the third album from Uada, a black metal band from the US.

Bursting at the seams with 60 minutes of ambitious, energetic material, Djinn is melodic black metal played by a talented band that know how to write the style. Clearly influenced by the classic blackened style, Uada have taken these influences and channelled them into music that has its own personality and character. Continue reading “Uada – Djinn (Review)”

Crépuscule d’Hiver – Par-Delà Noireglaces et Brumes-Sinistres (Review)

Crépuscule d'Hiver - Par-Delà Noireglaces et Brumes-SinistresThis is the debut album from French one-man black metal act Crépuscule d’Hiver.

Par-Delà Noireglaces et Brumes-Sinistres contains 69 minutes of music that combines atmospheric black metal with dungeon synth, creating an engaging journey into medieval times for the listener to become immersed in. Continue reading “Crépuscule d’Hiver – Par-Delà Noireglaces et Brumes-Sinistres (Review)”

The Infernal Sea – Negotium Crucis (Review)

The Infernal Sea - Negotium CrucisThis is the third album from UK black metal band The Infernal Sea.

After 2015’s The Great Mortality, I’ve been really looking forward to this one. On Negotium Crucis The Internal Sea offer up a compelling cocktail of classic second wave black metal, with a few added ingredients to spice it up. This is a rawer album than its predecessor, Continue reading “The Infernal Sea – Negotium Crucis (Review)”

Hræ – Þar Sem Skepnur Reika (Review)

Hræ - Þar Sem Skepnur ReikaHræ is a one-man Icelandic black metal band and this is his debut album.

Hræ’s brand of black metal is dark and menacing, with an experimental edge that reeks of dissonant malevolence. Continue reading “Hræ – Þar Sem Skepnur Reika (Review)”

Sunnudagr – Le Silence (Review)

Sunnudagr - Le SilenceThis is the debut album from French black metallers Sunnudagr.

Le Silence features 36 minutes of Scandinavian-influenced black metal. It’s capably forged from a second wave base and then enhanced with a contemporary edge. Continue reading “Sunnudagr – Le Silence (Review)”

Dratna – Druid Winds & the Fall of the Celtic Gods (Review)

Dratna - Druid Winds & The Fall of the Celtic GodsThis is the latest EP from UK one-man black metal band Dratna.

This EP contains 24 minutes of atmospheric black metal. The style reminds me of the late 90s/early 00s quite strongly, but has enough of its own personality to justify its own existence. If you imagine a mix of bands such as Windir and Vinterriket, then you’ll be on the right lines. Continue reading “Dratna – Druid Winds & the Fall of the Celtic Gods (Review)”

Noctem Aeternus – Landscape of Discord (Review)

Noctem Aeternus - Landscape of DiscordNoctem Aeternus is a one-man atmospheric black metal band from Argentina.

Although Landscape of Discord was originally released in 2019, this is an album worth getting to know now that it’s being released by a label, (Naturmacht Productions). Continue reading “Noctem Aeternus – Landscape of Discord (Review)”