Spectral Lore/Mare Cognitum – Wanderers: Astrology of the Nine – Split (Review)

Spectral Lore Mare Cognitum - Wanderers Astrology of the Nine - SplitSpectral Lore and Mare Cognitum are both one-man black metal bands, (from Greece and the US respectively), and this is their latest collaborative split.

No stranger to teaming up with each other, these two atmospheric black metal bands have created an epic project with Wanderers: Astrology of the Nine. Just under 2 hours in total duration, this monolithic release features four tracks from each band interspersed with each other, topped by a final two tracks that are collaborative, with both artists creating music together. Continue reading “Spectral Lore/Mare Cognitum – Wanderers: Astrology of the Nine – Split (Review)”

Ramihrdus – Midsummer’s Twilight (Review)

Ramihrdus - Midsummer's TwilightThis is the second album from one-man US black metal band Ramihrdus.

Here we have 45 minutes of raw atmospheric black metal that also contains folk and ambient elements. The music is layered and rich, with a multitude of additional instruments used in addition to the core you would expect on a metal album. This allows for Continue reading “Ramihrdus – Midsummer’s Twilight (Review)”

Starless Domain – EOS (Review)

Starless Domain - EOSStarless Domain are a US black metal band and this is their debut album.

Consisting of a single track lasting almost an hour, (at least my version is – I’ve seen others that are divided into four tracks), EOS is an ambitious journey into the night sky. Continue reading “Starless Domain – EOS (Review)”

Nightgrave – Black Earth (Review)

NightgraveThis is the third album from Nightgrave, a one man atmospheric black metal band.

Not content with releasing the extremely competent Nascent earlier this year, it seems that the prolific Nightgrave has already released a new album in the shape of Black Earth. Continue reading “Nightgrave – Black Earth (Review)”

Hænesy – Katruzsa (Review)

HaenesyThis is the debut album from Hungarian black metal band Hænesy.

Now this is the stuff. Katruzsa is a nature-inspired atmospheric black metal album with some post-black metal qualities. Underground and raw, with a sonic aesthetic that definitely pleases, this is textured black metal replete with affecting melodies and plenty of atmospheric depth. Continue reading “Hænesy – Katruzsa (Review)”

Microcosmys/La Torture des Ténèbres – The Gods Themselves – Split (Review)

Microcosmys La Torture des TénèbresMicrocosmys are a black metal band from Ukraine, and La Torture des Ténèbres is a one-woman black metal band from Canada. This is their split.

Supplying 17 minutes of music to this release, Microcosmys play engaging atmospheric/ambient black metal with plenty of appeal and substance. Continue reading “Microcosmys/La Torture des Ténèbres – The Gods Themselves – Split (Review)”

Cryostasium – The Possessor (Review)

CryostasiumThis is the latest EP from US one man black metal band Cryostasium.

I discovered Cryostasium on the 2017 release Starbound, which blew me away, it has to be said.  This latest EP is a slightly different beast, but no less impressive. Continue reading “Cryostasium – The Possessor (Review)”

The Negative Bias/Golden Dawn – Split (Review)

The Negative Bias Golden DawnThis is a split between two Austrian black metal bands – The Negative Bias and Golden Dawn.

The release starts with The Temple of Cruel Empathy by The Negative Bias. This is a 12-minute foray into the atmospheric black metal cosmos. Continue reading “The Negative Bias/Golden Dawn – Split (Review)”