Fen – Elemental Part One: Mourning Earth (Review)

Fen - Elemental Part One Mourning EarthFen are a UK black metal band and this is their eighth album.

Following on from 2023’s Monuments to Absence, Fen have now returned with 47 minutes of new material in the form of Elemental Part One: Mourning Earth. As the name might suggest, this is the first part of two. Continue reading “Fen – Elemental Part One: Mourning Earth (Review)”

Thanatomass – The Rabid Dead (Review)

Thanatomass - The Rabid DeadThis is the latest EP from Russian black/death metal band Thanatomass.

Following on from 2023’s Hades, Thanatomass have now returned with the three-track EP The Rabid Dead. Across 20 minutes, Thanatomass deliver a scorching display of corrosive black/death nastiness. Continue reading “Thanatomass – The Rabid Dead (Review)”

Death. Void. Terror. – To the Great Monolith 2.5 (Review)

Death. Void. Terror. - To the Great Monolith 2.5Death. Void. Terror. are a black/doom metal band from Switzerland, and this is their latest EP.

This 3-track release from Death. Void. Terror. brings us something otherworldly and foul to become absorbed in. Seeping out its foul corruption across 29 minutes of material, To the Great Monolith 2.5 delivers an unholy ritual that’s sure to ensnare many of the unwary. Continue reading “Death. Void. Terror. – To the Great Monolith 2.5 (Review)”

Spectral Wound/Final Dose – Gorilla, Manchester – 06/08/26 (Live Review)

Spectral Wound Final Dose - Gorilla, Manchester - 06.08.26 (Live Review)

Tonight’s bill is a red hot one, and the opportunity to see Spectral Wound in an intimate venue like Gorilla is not to be missed. Continue reading “Spectral Wound/Final Dose – Gorilla, Manchester – 06/08/26 (Live Review)”

Wormwood – Å (Review)

Wormwood - ÅWormwood are a Swedish black metal band and this is their latest release.

This short, two-track EP follows on from 2024’s The Star, bringing us a another dose of Wormwood’s intelligently crafted progressive black metal. With a duration of 16 minutes, Å showcases Wormwood’s notable talents in an easy-to-digest format that nonetheless has plenty to explore at length. Continue reading “Wormwood – Å (Review)”

Hulder – Verbolgen (Review)

Hulder - VerbolgenThis is the third album from US black metal band Hulder.

Following on from 2022’s The Eternal Fanfare and 2024’s Verses in Oath, comes the 49-minute Verbolgen, which is Hulder’s first as a duo. Verbolgen is old-school black metal, delivered with contemporary skill and vision. If you’re familiar with Hulder’s past work, then this new record is the next step along the artist’s path, a progression most welcome. Continue reading “Hulder – Verbolgen (Review)”

Hagoroth – Hagoroth (Review)

Hagoroth - HagorothHagoroth are a black metal band from an unknown location, and this is their second album.

No information is available as to whether Hagoroth is a full band or a solo venture. Either way, Hagoroth play black metal with progressive and avant-garde tendencies, and it’s really rather special. Across 38 expressive minutes, Hagoroth reveals itself to be a carefully curated blend of aggression, atmosphere, emotion, and exploration. Continue reading “Hagoroth – Hagoroth (Review)”

Carbon Tomb – Passage to a Neutron Star (Review)

Carbon Tomb - Passage to a Neutron StarCarbon Tomb are a death metal band from Denmark and this is their debut album.

Carbon Tomb play dissonant death metal, with a touch of a blackened influence in places. Passage to a Neutron Star delivers a 34-minute exemplar of the style’s dark allure, offering both brutality and feeling. Continue reading “Carbon Tomb – Passage to a Neutron Star (Review)”

Miserere Luminis – Sidera (Review)

Miserere Luminis - SideraThis is the third album from Canadian black metallers Miserere Luminis.

Miserere Luminis contain members of Conifère and Gris, and on Sidera they bring us 51 minutes of highly affecting atmospheric black metal. This is an uncommon journey that’s presented before you. Will you avail yourself of the gifts that Sidera has to offer? Continue reading “Miserere Luminis – Sidera (Review)”

Lumen ad Mortem – A Grave Ascent (Review)

Lumen ad Mortem - A Grave AscentLumen ad Mortem are an Australian black metal band and this is their second album.

Following on from 2023’s Upon the Edge of DarknessA Grave Descent brings us 42 minutes of new material from Lumen ad Mortem. Theirs is an engaging, enveloping form of black metal that burns cold, but is still fiery at heart nonetheless.

A Grave Ascent follows Continue reading “Lumen ad Mortem – A Grave Ascent (Review)”