This 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)”
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)”
This 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)”
This 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)”
This is the fourth album from French black metal band Haemoth.
After 12 years of silence since their last release, Haemoth now bring the world the 46-minute Black Dust. It’s traditional black metal, filled with satanic violence and unholy hatred. Continue reading “Haemoth – Black Dust (Review)”
This is the fourth album from The Fifth Alliance, a post-metal band from the Netherlands.
Having graced us with Death Poems in 2015 and then The Depth of the Darkness in 2019, The Fifth Alliance have returned once again, after what seems like an age, with the 38-minute Stenahoria. Armed with a new drummer and a new vocalist, The Fifth Alliance have been reborn in darkness. Continue reading “The Fifth Alliance – Stenahoria (Review)”
Hecate Enthroned are a black metal band from the UK and this is their seventh album.
Featuring members of Ba’al and Sidious in their ranks, legendary black metal act Hecate Enthroned return for the first time in seven years. What dark delights does The Corpse of a Titan, a Lament Long Buried bring to us? Continue reading “Hecate Enthroned – The Corpse of a Titan, a Lament Long Buried (Review)”
This is the tenth album from Norwegian black metallers Dimmu Borgir.
Eight long years since 2018’s Eonian, the legendary Dimmu Borgir have returned. Bringing the world 72 minutes of new material, Grand Serpent Rising is an unexpectedly atavistic record, but is all the better for it. Continue reading “Dimmu Borgir – Grand Serpent Rising (Review)”
This is the second album from blackened thrash metallers Tyrannus.
Tyrannus play a mix of black and thrash metal, alongside other influences, and it hits the spot. On Mournhold they combine it all into a 40-minute infernal assault that this simplistic description doesn’t really do justice to. Brought to us by current/ex-members of Ashenspire and Live Burial, Mournhold is a beast. Continue reading “Tyrannus – Mournhold (Review)”
Lorn are an Italian black metal band and this is their fourth album.
Following on from 2017’s Arrayed Claws, Lorn have now returned with the 41-minute Searing Blood. It’s not the same Lorn as previously encountered though. However, when you listen to Searing Blood, it’s hard to complain. This is a shockingly good record. Continue reading “Lorn – Searing Blood (Review)”
Wonderbox Metal 