Enslaved – Utgard (Review)

Enslaved - UtgardEnslaved are a Norwegian black metal band and this is their fifteenth album.

A new Enslaved release is a thing to be celebrated, and Utgard is no different in this regard. The follow up to 2017’s EUtgard is actually quite different in many other regards, however. Continue reading “Enslaved – Utgard (Review)”

Anaal Nathrakh – Endarkenment (Review)

Anaal Nathrakh - EndarkenmentAnaal Nathrakh are a UK black metal band and this is their eleventh album.

You’ve gotta love Anaal Nathrakh. Albums like A New Kind of Horror just keep on giving, and I’d pretty much recommend anything in their discography, (also check out The Whole of the Law and Desideratum). Endarkenment is another adrenaline-filled ride into darkness and ferocity. Continue reading “Anaal Nathrakh – Endarkenment (Review)”

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)”