Evergreen Refuge – Skyward (Review)

Evergreen Refuge - SkywardThis is the tenth album from US one man atmospheric black metal project Evergreen Refuge.

I like Evergreen Refuge a lot. I may not listen to this project that often, (partially due to the colossal song lengths, and partially due to needing to be in a certain mood), but the artist behind this band has pumped out some truly memorable and impressive work since first Continue reading “Evergreen Refuge – Skyward (Review)”

Onirophagus – Endarkenment (Illumination Through Putrefaction) (Review)

Onirophagus - Endarkenment (Illumination Through Putrefaction)Onirophagus are a Spanish death/doom metal band and this is their second album.

The phrase ‘crushing doom’ was made for a band like Onirophagus. Well, ‘crushing death/doom’ is more accurate I suppose, but it probably doesn’t matter too much. The operative word here is ‘crushing’. Continue reading “Onirophagus – Endarkenment (Illumination Through Putrefaction) (Review)”

Triste Terre – Grand Œuvre (Review)

Triste Terre - Grand ŒuvreThis is the debut album from Triste Terre, an atmospheric black metal band from France.

Grand Œuvre is a 65-minute journey into the occult darkness. It’s an album that doesn’t shy away from grand ambition and compelling atmosphere, using these traits to its advantage to craft epic soundscapes that are immersive and quite satisfying. Continue reading “Triste Terre – Grand Œuvre (Review)”

Akasha – Canticles of the Sepulchral Deity (Review)

Akasha - Canticles of the Sepulchral DeityThis is the debut album from Akasha, a one man US black metal band.

Are you ready for your hit of vampiric, underground black metal? If so, then Canticles of the Sepulchral Deity is a release that you should definitely take the time to explore. Continue reading “Akasha – Canticles of the Sepulchral Deity (Review)”

Venom Prison – Samsara (Review)

Venom Prison - SamsaraVenom Prison are a UK death metal band and this is their second album.

2016’s Animus was a highlight of the year for me, and then catching them at that year’s Damnation Festival and interviewing them cemented their position as one of my favourite death metal bands that the UK has to offer. Continue reading “Venom Prison – Samsara (Review)”

Gjendød – Krigsdøger (Review)

Gjendød - KrigsdøgerGjendød are a Norwegian black metal band and this is their second album.

Having enjoyed 2016’s Gjendød and 2017’s Nedstigning, I knew I definitely wanted to catch up with Gjendød on their new album. The band have not disappointed me. Continue reading “Gjendød – Krigsdøger (Review)”

Bloodthirst – I Am Part of That Power Which Eternally Wills Evil and Eternally Works Wrong (Review)

Bloodthirst - I Am Part of That Power Which Eternally Wills Evil and Eternally Works WrongThis is the fourth album from Polish blackened thrashers Bloodthirst.

Blackened thrash metal frequently disappoints me. I think I just expect more than I get, as the mix of black and thrash metal seems to usually end up lacking the power of either. Bloodthirst are different, however, as both Chalice of Contempt and Glorious Sinners demonstrated to me quite effectively. Continue reading “Bloodthirst – I Am Part of That Power Which Eternally Wills Evil and Eternally Works Wrong (Review)”

Ringarë – Under Pale Moon (Review)

Ringarë - Under Pale MoonThis is the debut album from US black metal band Ringarë.

Featuring a member of Chaos Moon, this project was originally named Ringar and in its original incarnation warped into Chaos Moon itself. Continue reading “Ringarë – Under Pale Moon (Review)”

Drawn into Descent – The Endless Endeavour (Review)

Drawn into Descent - The Endless EndeavourDrawn into Descent are a black metal band from Belgium and this is their second album.

Drawn into Descent play atmospheric black metal with blackgaze, post-rock, and depressive black metal qualities. I first encountered the band on their 2015 self-titled debut, which was an album that grew into my thoughts over time, forcing me to return to it over and over again through the years. Continue reading “Drawn into Descent – The Endless Endeavour (Review)”