Anagnorisis – Caregriever (Review)

Anagnorisis - CaregrieverAnagnorisis are a post-black metal band from the US and this is their fourth album.

Caregriever brings together a variety of extreme metal elements into a compelling 41-minute post-blackened framework. Anagnorisis have been absent a decade, but Caregriever gives us reason to be thankful they have returned, albeit in dark circumstances. Continue reading “Anagnorisis – Caregriever (Review)”

Wolves in the Throne Room – Estuary (Review)

Wolves in the Throne Room - EstuaryThis is the eighth album from US black metallers Wolves in the Throne Room.

Wolves in the Throne Room, kings of atmospheric black metal, have returned. Across 48 minutes of expressive, mood-rich music, Estuary once again reinforces their claim to the crown. Is Estuary the album so many people want it to be? Continue reading “Wolves in the Throne Room – Estuary (Review)”

Nails/Rotten Sound/Invunche – Rebellion, Manchester – 05/10/26 (Live Review)

 

Nails Rotten Sound Invunche - Rebellion, Manchester - 05.10.26 (Live Review)

Tonight is a good night for sonic violence, and here are three bands very well-placed to dish it out. Within such a brutal niche as tonight’s show, Nails are big fish, (and that’s before you factor in the draw of the mighty Rotten Sound, as well as opener Invunche). Rebellion is therefore as busy as you’d expect it to be, and space is at a premium. If this show isn’t sold out, then it’s pretty damn close to it. Continue reading “Nails/Rotten Sound/Invunche – Rebellion, Manchester – 05/10/26 (Live Review)”

Esoctrilihum – Annochiül Xar Sorthïlazur (Review)

Esoctrilihum - Annochiül Xar SorthïlazurThis is the fifteenth album from French one-man black metal band Esoctrilihum.

One never knows what the artist behind the prolific Esoctrilihum is going to gift unto the unworthy world, which makes every release both a surprise and a treat. For Annochiül Xar Sorthïlazur, he has bequeathed us a lavish 69 minutes of symphonic avant-garde black/death metal. While that description may get stuck in the mouth, Annochiül Xar Sorthïlazur itself goes down remarkably smoothly for something so idiosyncratic and barbed. But then, Esoctrilihum always seems to deliver the goods. Continue reading “Esoctrilihum – Annochiül Xar Sorthïlazur (Review)”

Firtan – Helios (Review)

Firtan - HeliosFirtan are a German black metal band and this is their fifth album.

Following on from 2022’s Marter and 2024’s Ethos, Helios brings us 60 minutes of well-crafted atmospheric black metal and post-blackened might. It is a record that reeks of high quality. Firtan have obviously put a lot of energy and care into its creation, and the results pay off. Continue reading “Firtan – Helios (Review)”

Spirit Possession – Cathedral Speech (Review)

Spirit Possession - Cathedral SpeechSpirit Possession are a black metal band from the US and this is their third album.

Brought to us by a member of Black Curse/Ulthar, Cathedral Speech contains 43 minutes of engaging blackened mayhem. Spirit Possession are not your average black metal band, so get ready to inject something notable into your listening habits. Continue reading “Spirit Possession – Cathedral Speech (Review)”

Death. Void. Terror. – To the Great Monolith III: Rifts (Review)

Death Void Terror - To the Great Monolith III RiftsDeath. Void. Terror. are a black/death/doom metal band from Switzerland, and this is their third album.

This new record follows hot on the sulphurous heels of last month’s EP To the Great Monolith 2.5. So, what do these strange, otherworldly travellers have in store for us this time? The answer, is something unexpectedly special. Something, in fact, to shake you out of your complacency and really, truly, feel the music. Continue reading “Death. Void. Terror. – To the Great Monolith III: Rifts (Review)”

Rorcal – Mahre (Review)

vRorcal are a Swiss post-black/doom metal band and this is their seventh album.

Rorcal are a shapeshifting band that are more than worthy of your attention, (here, here, here, here, here). In other words, when they release something, it always rewards investigation. So what grim shape does Mahre take? Continue reading “Rorcal – Mahre (Review)”

Burner – No One Is Coming to Save Us (Review)

Burner - No One Is Coming to Save UsThis is the second album by UK extreme metal band Burner.

Burner bring us 48 minutes of material to abandon all hope to on No One Is Coming to Save Us. Playing a hybrid style that’s as effective as it is unexpectedly multifaceted, Burner’s new record is a real powerhouse. Continue reading “Burner – No One Is Coming to Save Us (Review)”

Noctule – Extinguish Thy Flame (Review)

Noctule - Extinguish Thy FlameThis is the second album from UK solo black metal band Noctule.

The artist behind Noctule, (from Svalbard), brings us 39 minutes of melodic black and death metal on Extinguish Thy Flame. The music of Noctule has taken an assured step forward with this new record. Continue reading “Noctule – Extinguish Thy Flame (Review)”