Alcest – Wonderbox Metal

Cistvaen – At Light’s Demise (Review)

This is the debut album from UK atmospheric black metallers Cistvaen.

I like this form of atmospheric black metal, and I like it even more when it’s played with a weighty doom component, as it is here. The promo blurb mentions bands like Agalloch, Fen, My Dying Bride, Alcest, Insomnium, Wolves in the Throne Room, and Winterfylleth, amongst others, so this should give you a good starting point for approaching the 58 minutes of music on At Light’s Demise. Continue reading “Cistvaen – At Light’s Demise (Review)”

Vemod – The Deepening (Review)

This is the second album from Norwegian black metallers Vemod.

The Deepening contains 48 minutes of dark blackened worldscapes. It’s the sort of record that is worth exploring in a thorough and comprehensive manner, as there are many rewards to be had within its beautifully coated exterior. Continue reading “Vemod – The Deepening (Review)”

Underdark – Managed Decline (Review)

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

Following on from 2021’s Our Bodies Burned Bright on Re-Entry, Underdark have now returned with the 41-minute Managed Decline. Continue reading “Underdark – Managed Decline (Review)”

Wolves in the Throne Room – Crypt of Ancestral Knowledge (Review)

This is the latest EP from US black metal band Wolves in the Throne Room.

A new Wolves in the Throne Room release is always a cause for celebration, even if it’s not a full album. Crypt of Ancestral Knowledge provides us with two new songs, a remix, and an ambient outro. Let’s dig in and see what this is all about. Continue reading “Wolves in the Throne Room – Crypt of Ancestral Knowledge (Review)”

Deadly Carnage – Endless Blue (Review)

Deadly Carnage are a post-black metal band from Italy and this is their fifth album.

Following on from 2018’s Through the Void, Above the Suns, Deadly Carnage have now returned with 39 minutes of new material, and they have returned on fine form. Continue reading “Deadly Carnage – Endless Blue (Review)”

Breaths – Floruit (Review)

This is the third album from US one-man post-metal band Breaths.

Having really enjoyed 2022’s Though Life Has Turned out Nothing Like I Imagined, It Is Far Better Than I Could Have Dreamt, I knew I wanted to check out what Flotuit had to offer. This new album might have a much shorter title, but has a lot longer duration at 65 minutes. Has this extra time been well spent? Continue reading “Breaths – Floruit (Review)”

Numeron – Road to Valhalla (Review)

This is the second album from Indonesian post-black metal band Numeron.

Road to Valhalla is a 43-minute exploration of atmospheric black metal and blackgaze, delivered in a post-black metal package that’s passionately performed. Numeron have produced a well-crafted slice of expressive darkness. Continue reading “Numeron – Road to Valhalla (Review)”

Lesath – There Is a Profound Sense in Which We Are Isolated (Review)

This is the fourth album from Indian one-man post-black metal band Lesath.

There Is a Profound Sense in Which We Are Isolated offers 43 minutes of post-black metal. It’s essentially a mix of atmospheric black metal, post-rock, and shoegaze. At least, as a rough description of the material here that suffices. Continue reading “Lesath – There Is a Profound Sense in Which We Are Isolated (Review)”

Bizarrekult – Den Tapte Krigen (Review)

Bizarrekult are a Norwegian post-black metal band and this is their second album.

Formed around a central artist who is Bizarrekult’s driving creative force, he’s joined by a range of other musicians, (including a member of the mighty Adliga), who round out the band nicely. The end result of their efforts is Den Tapte Krigen, a 42-minute slice of expressive modern black metal. Continue reading “Bizarrekult – Den Tapte Krigen (Review)”

Birds in Row – Gris Klein (Review)

Birds in Row are a French post-hardcore band and this is their third album.

Gris Klein is the 43-minute follow-up to 2018’s We Already Lost the World, and it has been more than worth the wait. Continue reading “Birds in Row – Gris Klein (Review)”