This is the debut album from one-woman black/doom band Decompression from the US.
Decompression is a 53-minute collection of original compositions, (five), and cover songs, (three, including one from Forgotten Tomb). Stylistically, black/doom doesn’t really do it full justice, but it’s a loose descriptor that’s suitable enough. Continue reading “Decompression – Love Is the Beauty of the Soul (Review)”
This is the seventh album from Canadian one-man black metal act Nordicwinter.
After enjoying 2020’s Desolation and 2021’s Sorrow, I was pleased to see This Mournful Dawn appear. I was then surprised when I subsequently found out that the artist has released two other Nordicwinter albums between Sorrow and this new one! Has being this prolific impacted upon quality levels since I last encountered this act? Continue reading “Nordicwinter – This Mournful Dawn (Review)”
This is the debut album from US black metal band Earthen Altar.
Earthen Altar play nature-inspired atmospheric black metal informed by the Cascadian style., but not restricted to it. Earthen Altar contains three tracks with a total duration of 27 minutes. Before we start, prepare yourself, as this is a colossally strong release. Continue reading “Earthen Altar – Earthen Altar (Review)”
I’ve never been to The Hairy Dog before, but it’s a great venue with a good vibe and good sound system. I don’t actually think I’ve ever been to Derby before at all, but if anything was going to entice me here, it was this year’s Reaper Festival, brought to us by the wonderful Reaper Agency UK. It was a great day overall, and I’d gladly attend such a well-organised show again. Sadly I could only make day one of the festival, which is a shame, as day two has many great bands too. Continue reading “Reaper Festival 2023 – Day One: Saturday – Ultha/Darkher/Coscradh/Dawn Ray’d/The Sun’s Journey Through the Night/Ruadh/Calligram/Cairns – Derby The Hairy Dog, 29/07/23 (Live Review)”
This is the third album from Starer, a one-man black metal band from the US.
It’s time for some new Starer once more! After making a splash with 2021’s stellar 18° Below the Horizon, and then following up with last year’s The What It Is to Be, the artist has returned to us once more. Wind, Breeze, or Breath contains 38 minutes of symphonic black metal, divided over seven movements, and it’s quite exceptionally good. Continue reading “Starer – Wind, Breeze, or Breath (Review)”
Although I’d ideally love to be able to conduct hard-hitting, in-depth interviews, who has the time these days? In lieu of this, I’ve thrown together the below question template, hopefully to gather some interesting and informative results, without taking up too much of anyone’s time.
I am The Watcher – I play guitar and perform vocals. Continue reading “Standard Interrogation Techniques: Five Questions for Fen (Interview)”
Sworn are a Norwegian black metal band and this is their fourth album.
If you’re a fan of black metal with both melody and atmosphere, then A Journey Told Through Fire is a 50-minute feast of the stuff. Honestly, Sworn have something well above average going on here that combines the best of old and new. Continue reading “Sworn – A Journey Told Through Fire (Review)”
This is the debut album from, Uamh, a solo black metal band from the US.
At the Edge of the Loch is a 42-minute atmospheric black metal album that has a Celtic influence. Raw, but not overly so, the entire experience of this album is one that has quality of execution woven deep into its makeup. Continue reading “Uamh – At the Edge of the Loch (Review)”
Fen are a UK black metal band and this is their seventh album.
I last caught up with Fen on their 2017 album Winter. Apparently they’ve had another album since then, (The Dead Light), which I somehow managed to completely miss, which is a shame. Regardless, it’s now time for Monuments to Absence and its 67 minutes of music to absorb. Continue reading “Fen – Monuments to Absence (Review)”
Wilt are a Canadian black metal band and this is their third album.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed Wilt’s past material, (and bought the T-shirt too), so to say that I have been looking forward to Huginn is an understatement. Both 2015’s Moving Monoliths and 2018’s Ruin are exemplars of atmospheric black metal, and the new release Huginn is no exception. Continue reading “Wilt – Huginn (Review)”
Wonderbox Metal 