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)”

Scáth Na Déithe – The Dirge of Endless Mourning (Review)

Scáth Na Déithe - The Dirge of Endless MourningThis is the second album from Scáth Na Déithe, an Irish black/death metal band.

The Dirge of Endless Mourning contains 44 minutes of atmospheric black metal mixed with malignant death metal. It’s spiritually comparable in scope and breadth to the Cascadian style, but filtered through Irish folklore and history and has a brutal edge that comes from the death metal influences. The result is an album that pulls strengths from Continue reading “Scáth Na Déithe – The Dirge of Endless Mourning (Review)”

Regarde les Hommes Tomber – Ascension (Review)

Regarde les Hommes Tomber - AscensionThis is the third album from French post-black metallers Regarde les Hommes Tomber.

Regarde les Hommes Tomber play post-black metal that takes a forward-thinking approach to its content. Blending in elements of sludge and minor aspects of death metal, the band’s music is an atmospheric and modern take on blackened art. Continue reading “Regarde les Hommes Tomber – Ascension (Review)”

Fluisteraars – Bloem (Review)

Fluisteraars - BloemFluisteraars are a Black Metal band from the Netherlands and this is their third album.

2015’s Luwte was an engaging affair, full of icy atmospheric black metal delivered with character and much promise for the future. That future is apparently now. Continue reading “Fluisteraars – Bloem (Review)”

Crown of Asteria/Nodus Tollens – Split (Review)

Crown of Asteria Nodus Tollens - SplitCrown of Asteria is a one-woman black metal band from the US, and Nodus Tollens in a one-man black metal band, also from the US.

The split opens with the single 19-minute track Claw of the Firemaker by Crown of Asteria. The style is nature-influenced atmospheric black metal with elements of doom, folk, and ambient mixed in. It’s raw and unpolished, but this simply adds to the music’s charms. Continue reading “Crown of Asteria/Nodus Tollens – Split (Review)”

Mourir – Animal Bouffe Animal (Review)

Mourir - Animal Bouffe AnimalThis is the debut album from Mourir, a black metal band from France.

The music on Animal Bouffe Animal takes influence from the Scandinavian second wave, but then updates this with modern touches and uncomfortable dissonance, scathing sludge, and harrowing doom. The end result is 34 minutes of atmospheric rawness that combines old and new to produce something hideously enjoyable. Continue reading “Mourir – Animal Bouffe Animal (Review)”

Blaze of Perdition – The Harrowing of Hearts (Review)

Blaze of Perdition - The Harrowing of HeartsBlaze of Perdition are a Polish black metal band and this is their fifth album.

A new Blaze of Perdition album is always welcome, with both 2015’s Near Death Revelations and 2017’s Conscious Darkness setting high standards. Pleasingly, The Harrowing of Hearts doesn’t let the side down, and offers 51 minutes of quality material, including a Fields of the Nephilim cover that closes the album. Continue reading “Blaze of Perdition – The Harrowing of Hearts (Review)”

Sons of a Wanted Man – Kenoma (Review)

Sons of a Wanted Man - KenomaSons of a Wanted Man are a post-black metal band from Belgium and this is their debut album.

Sons of a Wanted Man mix post-metal, shoegaze, and melancholic atmosphere into their blackened concoction, resulting in a multifaceted album that hits many highs across its 47-minute playing time. Continue reading “Sons of a Wanted Man – Kenoma (Review)”

Frigoris – …In Stille (Review)

Frigoris - .​.​.​In StilleThis is the fourth album from Frigoris, an atmospheric post-black metal band from Germany.

Frigoris’ post-black metal is atmospheric and immersive, and as you journey across this 65-minute album, you’ll also discover aspects of doom, progressive metal, and post-rock that are incorporated into the music’s textured tapestry. Continue reading “Frigoris – …In Stille (Review)”