This is the fifth album from US black metal band Falls of Rauros.
After 2014’s very strong Believe in No Coming Shore, and then 2017’s Vigilance Perennial, which was even stronger, we now turn to Patterns in Mythology. Have the band managed to continue their upward trajectory? Continue reading “Falls of Rauros – Patterns in Mythology (Review)”
This is the second album from False, a black metal band from the US.
Portent contains 41 minutes of atmospheric, melodic black metal. Effortlessly combining USBM with the old-school Norwegian variety, False have crafted an album that moves beyond either individual style. Continue reading “False – Portent (Review)”
Phew. After the metallic overload of the past couple of months, June was a bit calmer. Having said that, I have a great selection of releases for you to salivate over, and I still had to cut a few for the sake of brevity that are definitely worthy of inclusion. Anyway, it’s on with the show! Continue reading “Monthly Overview – the Best of June 2019”
Ashbringer are an atmospheric black metal band from the US and this is their third album.
Ashbringer’s black metal combines aggressive blackness with melodic sensibilities and folk-influenced post-rock reflection. Elements of bands such as Fen, Agalloch, Falls of Rauros, Amiensus, and Alcest can be heard, but moulded and channelled through Ashbringer’s own collective experiences and personality. Continue reading “Ashbringer – Absolution (Review)”
Chernaa are an international, (Czech Republic/Ukraine/Russia), post-black metal band and this is their debut album.
The promo blurb for this album stated that it was for fans of Deafheaven, Oathbreaker, Wolves in the Throne Room, Wiegedood, and Harakiri for the Sky, so I knew that I had to at least give it a listen. Then, having skimmed through a couple of their videos, I knew I Continue reading “Chernaa – Empyrean Fire (Review)”
This is the debut album from US black metal band Murk Rider.
Three enormous songs, with a combined duration of 82 minutes? Okay, I’ll bite.
An album of depth, both musically and thematically, Exile of Shadows is black metal in only one of its aspects, albeit a primary one. The band also occasionally incorporate apocalyptic sludge and stoner doom into their melting pot, as well as strands of classic heavy and speed metal. This curious, (yet effective), mixture means that Continue reading “Murk Rider – Exile of Shadows (Review)”
Itheist are a UK black/death metal band and this is their debut album.
Previously named Aetherium Mors, this is the band’s first release under its new moniker. This is modern, dissonant black metal that’s been hybridised with death metal and energised with melodic darkness. Continue reading “Itheist – Itheist (Review)”
This is the debut album from Temple Koludra, a German black metal band.
Temple Koludra’s music uses black and death metal to craft a grim, raw exploration of Indian cultures and influences via extreme metal’s embracing framework. Continue reading “Temple Koludra – Seven! Sirens! To a Lost Archetype (Review)”
Ancient Hostility are a Ukrainian/US black metal band and this is their debut album.
This is, on the surface of things, a second wave black metal album, full of the sort of misanthropy and hatred that you’d expect for something like this. Scratch the surface, however, (and by this I mean actually listen to it), and you’ll also find a bit more than the norm here. Continue reading “Ancient Hostility – Ancient Hostility (Review)”
If April saw a lot of high quality albums released, May was ridiculous. Worse than April, I had a shortlist of 23 albums that I judged were fitting of being highlighted. Somehow, I have no idea how, I have managed to get this down to 11. I wanted to get that down to an even 10, but just couldn’t find one to cut. Anyway, here we goooooooo… Continue reading “Monthly Overview – the Best of May 2019”
Wonderbox Metal 