This is the eighth album from Norwegian black metallers 1349.
1349 boast current/ex-members of Gorgoroth, Keep of Kalessin, Mortem, and Satyricon in their ranks, and they provide us with 39 minutes of Norwegian black metal in the form of The Wolf and the King. Continue reading “1349 – The Wolf and the King (Review)”
This is the third album from German black metal band Servant.
Following on fast from last year’s Aetus Ascensus comes Death Devil Magick, bringing us 41 minutes of new material. Servant’s style is intact and well, delivering a richly melodic form of black metal that’s based on the 90s second wave, but shows a post-black metal influence in places. Continue reading “Servant – Death Devil Magick (Review)”
This is the debut album from Norwegian black metallers Avmakt.
Satanic Inversion Of… contains 46 minutes of old-school second wave 90s black metal worship. Avmakt’s music uses the Darkthrone template extensively, yet somehow manages to avoid coming off as a cheap knockoff. How? Basically, it’s just a damn good album. Continue reading “Avmakt – Satanic Inversion Of… (Review)”
This is the fifth album from Finnish black metallers Aethyrick.
I always have time for Aethyrick’s brand of black metal, so it’s great to have some new material from them in the form of the 43-minute Death Is Absent. If you’re unfamiliar with the band, then as well as this new album it’s also worth checking out 2018’s Praxis, 2020’s Gnosis, 2021’s Apotheosis, and 2022’s Pilgrimage. Aethyrick may have only been around since 2016, but they’re quite prolific. Continue reading “Aethyrick – Death Is Absent (Review)”
Firtan are a German black metal band and this is their fourth album.
Following on from 2022’s very enjoyable Marter, Ethos brings us 51 minutes of new material from Firtan. On this new album the band aren’t holding back. Continue reading “Firtan – Ethos (Review)”
This is the debut album from Wrach, a Welsh solo black metal band.
Quad Infra Volo Videre contains 48 minutes of sinister underground black metal. It’s inspired by the 90s second wave style, but other influences from across the last few decades have been drawn into its malevolent embrace, giving it more of a 00s feel overall. Continue reading “Wrach – Quae Infra Volo Videre (Review)”
This is the debut album from Wraithfyre, a UK solo black metal band.
On Of Fell Peaks and Haunted Chasms the artist behind Wraithfyre delivers 37 minutes of old-school symphonic black metal. It’s good stuff, and has clearly been created by somebody that knows the style well. Continue reading “Wraithfyre – Of Fell Peaks and Haunted Chasms (Review)”
Ende are a French black metal band and this is their sixth album.
I always like being able to catch up with Ende’s work. If you’re unfamiliar with the band, make sure you check out 2015’s The Rebirth of I, 2017’s Emën Etan, or 2018’s Goétie Funeste, (or indeed any of their other work), and you’ll be assured of encountering an album of traditional black metal that’s worth your time. Which brings us to the 41 minutes of new material on L’aube des Anathèmes; has Ende’s quality streak continued? Continue reading “Ende – L’aube des Anathèmes (Review)”
This is a split between black metal bands Häxanu, from the US, and Greve, from Sweden.
Häxanu open up the split, with four tracks that last 20 minutes in total. I was a big fan of 2023’s Totenpass, which is why I knew I wanted to check out this split when it appeared on my radar. Continue reading “Häxanu/Greve – Naturmystik – Split (Review)”
Downcross are a black metal band from Belarus and this is their sixth album.
White Tower contains 43 minutes of melodic black metal. It’s sharp and well-performed, and Downcross showcase what they’re capable of with attitude and force. Continue reading “Downcross – White Tower (Review)”
Wonderbox Metal 