Vafurlogi – Gneisti af eldi Guðs (Review)

Vafurlogi - Gneisti af eldi GuðsThis is the second album from Icelandic black metallers Vafurlogi.

Following on from 2024’s Í Vökulli ÁþjánGneisti af eldi Guðs delivers 49 minutes of new material. Now rounded out to a full band, Vafurlogi’s black metal has been greater developed. The band were already in a good place with their music, but now they’ve taken things up a step. Continue reading “Vafurlogi – Gneisti af eldi Guðs (Review)”

Temple ov Ahriman – Heretics of Consensual Reality (Review)

Temple ov Ahriman - Heretics of Consensual RealityThis is a the debut album from Temple ov Ahriman, a solo black metal band from the US.

Aided by a session drummer, this solo act delivers 43 minutes of well-crafted black metal on Heretics of Consensual Reality. The first record by Temple ov Ahriman is one that you should absolutely check out if you’re a fan of an old style played both very well and with good ideas. Continue reading “Temple ov Ahriman – Heretics of Consensual Reality (Review)”

Forsmán – Brenndar Rústir & Fuðrandi Fjörur (Review)

Forsmán - Brenndar Rústir & Fuðrandi FjörurThis is the debut album from Icelandic black metallers Forsmán.

Brenndar Rústir & Fuðrandi Fjörur is the 46-minute follow up to 2021’s promising debut EP Dönsum i Logans Ljóma. Containing members of Misþyrming and Múr, Forsmán’s brand of esoteric black metal is a very potent one. Continue reading “Forsmán – Brenndar Rústir & Fuðrandi Fjörur (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)”

Mork – Monolitt (Review)

Mork - MonolittThis is the eighth album from Norwegian black metal solo act Mork.

This is old-school Norwegian black metal, played by a musician that knows the style inside out. He’s aided on Monolitt by a drummer and additional vocalist; so combined, Monolitt is an easily enjoyable listen for fans of classic black metal. The latest Mork album has arrived, fully formed and ready to assert its dominance. Does it have the power to? Continue reading “Mork – Monolitt (Review)”

Nidelgret – Trauerlärm (Review)

Nidelgret - TrauerlärmThis is the debut album from Swiss black metal band Nidelgret.

Trauerlärm comes recommended for fans of Endstille, Fluisteraars, and Wiegedood. It’s 32 minutes in duration, and has intriguing cover art. All of these things mean that Nidelgret are worth checking out. It turns out, expectations are not only met, but exceeded too. Continue reading “Nidelgret – Trauerlärm (Review)”

Stormkeep – The Nocturnes of Iswylm (Review)

Stormkeep - The Nocturnes of IswylmThis is the third album from US black metallers Stormkeep.

Bright to us by members of Blood Incantation, Lykotonon, and Wayfarer, The Nocturnes of Iswylm contains 46 minutes of engaging symphonic black metal. The return of Stormkeep is one heralded by change, but it’s a most welcome change, as this record is a beast. Continue reading “Stormkeep – The Nocturnes of Iswylm (Review)”

Fortress Festival 2026 – Scarborough Spa, Scarborough, 30/05/26-31/05/26 (Live Review)

Fortress Festival 2026 -Sold Out Poster

Has it really been a year since last year’s excellent Fortress Festival? Apparently so. Fortress has quickly established itself as one of the world’s premier black metal festivals, (some would say THE premier black metal festival), and it’s brilliant to have yet another year with a massive amount of fantastic bands. Increasingly, attendees get to experience some very rare appearances too.

Before we get into it – as was the case last year, this review is greatly enriched by the stunning photographs from the very talented Aleksandra Hogg, so a huge thanks to her once more. I urge you to check out her work at Acidolka here, here, or here. Continue reading “Fortress Festival 2026 – Scarborough Spa, Scarborough, 30/05/26-31/05/26 (Live Review)”

Azaghal – Nekrohelios (Review)

Azaghal - NekroheliosThis is the thirteenth album from Finnish black metallers Azaghal.

Following on from 2018’s Valo Pohjoisesta 2023’s Alttarimme on Luista Tehty, the mighty Azaghal have now unleashed the 43-minute Nekrohelios on the world. What a beast it is too. Continue reading “Azaghal – Nekrohelios (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)”