Kjeld/Wederganger – Split (Review)

Kjeld WedergangerKjeld and Wederganger are both black metal bands from the Netherlands. They have teamed up for this split release.

Kjeld are the opening band on this split. 2015’s Skym was cold and evil black metal in the Scandinavian style. On this release they contribute 17 minutes of music in the form of three songs. Continue reading “Kjeld/Wederganger – Split (Review)”

Urskog – Urskog (Review)

UrskogUrskog are a Swedish blackened sludge band and this is their debut demo release.

The music is dark and sinister, with eerie melodies used as part of the band’s blackened approach. These are usually deposited on top of darker, blackened riffs that are ably backed up by the percussive section. Continue reading “Urskog – Urskog (Review)”

Au Champ des Morts – Dans la Joie (Review)

Au Champ des MortsAu Champ des Morts are a French black metal band and this is their debut album.

This is contemporary black metal that has a firm foundation in the traditional style, but updated for the modern day with post-black metal, atmospheric and blackgaze influences.

Dans la Joie is full of emotive and Continue reading “Au Champ des Morts – Dans la Joie (Review)”

The Furor – Cavalries of the Occult (Review)

The FurorThis is the fifth album from The Furor, a black/thrash/death metal band from Australia.

Mixing black metal with death metal and thrash, this is furious war metal that’s aggressive as Hell and is on an all-out attack. Continue reading “The Furor – Cavalries of the Occult (Review)”

Self-Hatred – Theia (Review)

Self-HatredThis is the debut album from Self-Hatred, a doom/death metal band from the Czech Republic.

Self-Hatred are, refreshingly, a little different to your standard doom/death band; this is a slightly more contemporary take on the style than most attempt, although it still recognises and is influenced by the founders of this particular sub-genre. I also like the black metal influences that can be heard creeping into the music here and there, which also give Self-Hatred a different angle of attack than a lot of their peers. Continue reading “Self-Hatred – Theia (Review)”

Moontower – Darkness…Glory to Hatred (Review)

MoontowerMoontower are a Polish black metal band and this is their fifth album.

Sometimes it’s impossible to beat a blast of icy, cold, raw, Satanic black metal played like it was still the 90s. Darkness…Glory to Hatred is just such a beast as this. Continue reading “Moontower – Darkness…Glory to Hatred (Review)”

Ennoven – Redemption (Review)

EnnovenEnnoven is a one-man atmospheric black metal project from Poland. This is his debut album.

Redemption is just under 35 minutes of atmospheric black metal with post-metal and progressive influences included in its misty embrace.  Continue reading “Ennoven – Redemption (Review)”

Black Anvil – As Was (Review)

Black AnvilThis is the fourth album from US black metal band Black Anvil.

2014’s Hail Death was a firm favourite of mine. They’ve now produced the follow up to this, and it’s great to have them back.

Black Anvil play black metal that combines elements of thrash metal with a more epic, expansive side. Continue reading “Black Anvil – As Was (Review)”

Diktatur – L’Agonie d’un Monde (Review)

DiktaturDiktatur are a French black metal band and this is their latest EP.

Do you like black metal that’s raw, sharp and full of aggression? If so, then you should check out Diktatur’s latest release.

This is a band that have a traditional, vicious sound with enough elements of Continue reading “Diktatur – L’Agonie d’un Monde (Review)”

Athos – Noht Lerapot (Review)

AthosAthos is a one-man Greek black metal band and this is his fourth album.

Here we have almost 40 minutes of authentic second wave black metal for your delectation.

Scathing blackened melodies slice like razor blades through the frosted Continue reading “Athos – Noht Lerapot (Review)”