Fen – Elemental Part One: Mourning Earth (Review)

Fen - Elemental Part One Mourning EarthFen are a UK black metal band and this is their eighth album.

Following on from 2023’s Monuments to Absence, Fen have now returned with 47 minutes of new material in the form of Elemental Part One: Mourning Earth. As the name might suggest, this is the first part of two. Continue reading “Fen – Elemental Part One: Mourning Earth (Review)”

Cairiss – Wilderness (Review)

Cairiss - WildernessThis is the debut album from UK black metal band Cairiss.

A decade after 2016’s EP Fall comes its long-awaited follow up WildernessFall was a notably strong first release, one that excelled in its own right, but that also dripped in potential for the future. Sadly, nothing ever came of it. Until now. With 42 minutes of new material from Cairiss, and a refreshed lineup, can Wilderness satisfy the probably unfairly high expectations put upon it? Continue reading “Cairiss – Wilderness (Review)”

Miserere Luminis – Sidera (Review)

Miserere Luminis - SideraThis is the third album from Canadian black metallers Miserere Luminis.

Miserere Luminis contain members of Conifère and Gris, and on Sidera they bring us 51 minutes of highly affecting atmospheric black metal. This is an uncommon journey that’s presented before you. Will you avail yourself of the gifts that Sidera has to offer? Continue reading “Miserere Luminis – Sidera (Review)”

Astral Alchemy – Weaving Chilling Magical Dreamworlds (Review)

Astral Alchemy - Weaving Chilling Magical DreamworldsThis is the debut album from US black metal band Astral Alchemy.

Weaving Chilling Magical Dreamworlds unleashes 39 minutes of multifaceted black metal on the world. Astral Alchemy revel in the creation of an alluring mix of the ancient and the modern, leading to a record that captures the strengths from both remarkably well. Continue reading “Astral Alchemy – Weaving Chilling Magical Dreamworlds (Review)”

Sojourner – Gateways (Review)

Sojourner - GatewaysThis is the fourth album from International black metal band Sojourner.

Containing the artist behind Miasmata, Sojourner play what can probably loosely be termed as atmospheric black metal, but with an epic streak and a definite Gothic metal flavour. In essence, it’s metal, atmosphere-first, and balances beauty and darkness wonderfully. Continue reading “Sojourner – Gateways (Review)”

Inherits the Void – The Silent Abscission (Review)

Inherits the Void - The Silent AbscissionThis is the fourth album from French solo black metal act Inherits the Void.

From 2021’s Monolith of Light to 2023’s The Impending Fall of the Stars to Scars of Yesteryears, the artist behind Inherits the Void seems to refine and tweak his vision for atmospheric/melodic black metal just that little bit more with every release. Which brings us to The Silent Abscission. It is the longest Inherits the Void album so far at 47 minutes in length, so what does this new record have to offer fans of this quality act? Continue reading “Inherits the Void – The Silent Abscission (Review)”

Galvanist – The Silence Between Stars (Review)

Galvanist - The Silence Between StarsThis is the second album from US blackened death/doom band Galvanist.

Seemingly arising from the ashes of Arkheron Thodol, Galvanist offer up a 39-minute journey into their well-formed world of idiosyncratic hybrid extreme metal. Taking in elements of atmospheric black metal, progressive death metal, and blackened sludge/doom, The Silence Between Stars is a monstrous record. Continue reading “Galvanist – The Silence Between Stars (Review)”

Tyrannus – Mournhold (Review)

Tyrannus - MournholdThis is the second album from blackened thrash metallers Tyrannus.

Tyrannus play a mix of black and thrash metal, alongside other influences, and it hits the spot. On Mournhold they combine it all into a 40-minute infernal assault that this simplistic description doesn’t really do justice to. Brought to us by current/ex-members of Ashenspire and Live BurialMournhold is a beast. Continue reading “Tyrannus – Mournhold (Review)”

Lorn – Searing Blood (Review)

Lorn - Searing LightLorn are an Italian black metal band and this is their fourth album.

Following on from 2017’s Arrayed Claws, Lorn have now returned with the 41-minute Searing Blood. It’s not the same Lorn as previously encountered though. However, when you listen to Searing Blood, it’s hard to complain. This is a shockingly good record. Continue reading “Lorn – Searing Blood (Review)”

Panopticon – Det Hjemsøkte Hjertet (Review)

Panopticon - Det Hjemsøkte HjertetThis is the twelfth album from US solo black metal act Panopticon.

Brought to us by a singular artist’s vision, but aided and bolstered by multiple guest collaborators, Det Hjemsøkte Hjertet is a 66-minute exploration of sound that offers up an unmissable experience. Panopticon‘s new record is remarkable. Continue reading “Panopticon – Det Hjemsøkte Hjertet (Review)”