Groza are a black metal band from Germany and this is their third album.
I’ve been hearing good things about Groza for a while now, but this is the first time I’ve had a chance to check them out. Nadir brings us 43 minutes of modern black metal, and it’s all very good, let me tell you. Continue reading “Groza – Nadir (Review)”
Vafurlogi are a black metal band from Iceland and this is their debut album.
Í Vökulli Áþján contains 43 minutes of music and is brought to us by a current/ex-member of Sinmara and Svartidauði. Joined by a very capable drummer, (Beneath, Helfró, Ophidian I), Vafurlogi are a dark revelation that has long been threatening to spill over into reality, but now has. Continue reading “Vafurlogi – Í Vökulli Áþján (Review)”
Winterfylleth are a UK black metal band and this is their eighth album.
The Imperious Horizon is the 58-minute follow up to 2020’s The Reckoning Dawn. With a new guitarist in tow, (from Necronautical), how does Winterfylleth’s atmospheric black metal sound in 2024? Continue reading “Winterfylleth – The Imperious Horizon (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)”
Sur Austru are an atmospheric black/folk metal band from Romania and this is their third album.
Datura Străhiarelor is the 54-minute follow up to 2019’s Meteahna Timpurilor and 2021’s Obârșie. Sur Austru’s path is not a well-trodden one, and on this new album the band have travelled further into the wilderness, to great effect. Continue reading “Sur Austru – Datura Străhiarelor (Review)”
This is the fifth album from Ellende, a solo black metal band from Austria.
I’ve heard of Ellende for a while, but this is my first encounter with the band. I have to say, I wish I’d paid more attention earlier, as this is sterling stuff. Todbringerin contains 50 minutes of expressive black metal. Continue reading “Ellende – Todbringerin (Review)”
This is the third album from one-man Australian black metal act Aquilus.
Bellum II is the 59-minute follow up to 2021’s well-received Bellum I. In much the same vein as its predecessor, Bellum II is an atmospheric black metal album that makes heavy use of classical influences as well as some folk elements, although this simplistic description does not do the material here ample justice. Continue reading “Aquilus – Bellum II (Review)”
This is the fourth album from UK black metallers Gråt Strigoi.
Despite being four albums deep into their career, I’ve never heard of Gråt Strigoi before the wonderful Fiadh Productions put them on my radar. It’s seriously been my loss, as this stuff is so far up my alley it hurts. The Prophetic Silence contains 56 minutes of black metal that’s so good you should just stop reading this now and go and listen to it. Continue reading “Gråt Strigoi – The Prophetic Silence (Review)”
I couldn’t miss an opportunity to see Saor again, especially on an event like this – the 10th anniversary of Aura. The entire lineup is good though, although getting to the venue tonight is not without incident, annoyingly. Continue reading “Saor/Cân Bardd – Rebellion, Manchester – 28/07/24 (Live Review)”
