Atramentus – Stygian (Review)

Atramentus - StygianThis is the debut album from Atramentus, a doom metal band from Canada.

Stygian is a monster of dark funeral doom. Three tracks sprawl out over 45 minutes, promising nothing but glacial moods and barren hopelessness, and delivering. There are two colossal songs that bookend a shorter ambient piece. Continue reading “Atramentus – Stygian (Review)”

Dratna – Druid Winds & the Fall of the Celtic Gods (Review)

Dratna - Druid Winds & The Fall of the Celtic GodsThis is the latest EP from UK one-man black metal band Dratna.

This EP contains 24 minutes of atmospheric black metal. The style reminds me of the late 90s/early 00s quite strongly, but has enough of its own personality to justify its own existence. If you imagine a mix of bands such as Windir and Vinterriket, then you’ll be on the right lines. Continue reading “Dratna – Druid Winds & the Fall of the Celtic Gods (Review)”

Noctem Aeternus – Landscape of Discord (Review)

Noctem Aeternus - Landscape of DiscordNoctem Aeternus is a one-man atmospheric black metal band from Argentina.

Although Landscape of Discord was originally released in 2019, this is an album worth getting to know now that it’s being released by a label, (Naturmacht Productions). Continue reading “Noctem Aeternus – Landscape of Discord (Review)”

Ancient Gate – Empire Beyond Dusk (Review)

Ancient Gate - Empire Beyond DuskAncient Gate are an Argentinian black metal band and this is their second album.

Now here’s an album that really reminds me of the 90s. Yep, this is raw, underground, second wave worship through-and-through, and if you’re a fan of the style that’s no bad thing. Continue reading “Ancient Gate – Empire Beyond Dusk (Review)”

Silver Knife – Unyielding/Unseeing (Review)

Silver Knife - Unyielding UnseeingSilver Knife are an international post-black metal band and this is their debut album.

Featuring members of bands such as Cult of Erinyes and Laster, Silver Knife have produced 42 minutes of harsh, mood-driven black metal. Continue reading “Silver Knife – Unyielding/Unseeing (Review)”

Ov Shadows – I Djävulens Avbild (Review)

Ov Shadows - I Djavulens AvbildOv Shadows are a Swedish black metal band and this is their second album.

Featuring a member of Obitus, Ov Shadows play ferocious, yet textured, black metal that should find favour with fans of bands such as Dark Funeral, Nordjevel, Nightbringer, Barshasketh, etc. Continue reading “Ov Shadows – I Djävulens Avbild (Review)”

The Phantom Carriage – 7-Year Epilogue (Review)

The Phantom Carriage - 7-Year EpilogueThe Phantom Carriage are a blackened hardcore band from France and this is their third album.

As the album title suggests, it’s been 7 years since the band’s second album, and 7-Year Epilogue is one that I’ve definitely been looking forward to. If you’re unfamiliar with the band’s work, then put simply; The Phantom Carriage combine Continue reading “The Phantom Carriage – 7-Year Epilogue (Review)”

Havukruunu – Uinuos Syömein Sota (Review)

Havukruunu - Uinuos Syömein SotaThis is the third album from Havukruunu, a Finnish black metal band.

Uinuos Syömein Sota contains 47 minutes of black metal mixed with elements of heavy metal and folk. Viking/pagan/folk metal, or blackened heavy metal, or some such version of these words, are all appropriate tags, but Continue reading “Havukruunu – Uinuos Syömein Sota (Review)”

Somniate – The Meyrinkian Slumber (Review)

Somniate - The Meyrinkian SlumberSomniate are a black metal band from Czechia and this is their debut album.

Containing members of bands such as Brutally Deceased, Self-Hatred, Mallephyr, and Heaving Earth, The Meyrinkian Slumber is a different proposition than most of Somniate’s component bands, and gifts us with 32 minutes of modern black metal instead. Continue reading “Somniate – The Meyrinkian Slumber (Review)”

Ovnev – Transpiration (Review)

Ovnev - TranspirationOvnev is a one-man US black metal band, and this is his third album.

I enjoyed both 2016’s Cycle of Survival and 2017’s Incalescence, so knew that Transpiration was a release I wanted to check out. I’m definitely glad I did. Continue reading “Ovnev – Transpiration (Review)”