Gjendød – Gjendød (Review)

GjendødThis is the debut release by Norwegian black metallers Gjendød.

Playing blistering black metal of the 90s Norwegian style, Gjendød show exactly what they’re made of during these 21 minutes.

And what are they made of, you might ask? Well, it seems to be frost, cold, ice and all things winter. Continue reading “Gjendød – Gjendød (Review)”

Temple Nightside – The Hecatomb (Review)

Temple NightsideTemple Nightside are a blackened death metal band from Australia and this is their second album.

The first thing that attracted me to this album was the cover. Mysterious and ominous; the music naturally follows from this too. Also like the cover, the music is quite terrifying when you stop, really pay attention to it and let its dark atmospheres seep into you.

This is music that reeks of the bestial underground; the region that’s inhabited by Continue reading “Temple Nightside – The Hecatomb (Review)”

Wederganger/Laster – Split (Review)

Wederganger LasterWederganger and Laster both play black metal and are both from the Netherlands. They have teamed up for this very tasty split.

Wederganger contribute one song, Klaroenen Van de Dood, lasting almost 15 minutes. They’ve been featured on this site before with their début album Halfvergaan Ontwaakt, which was an enjoyable listen that fused orthodox black metal with epic, folk influences.

On this split the band show their predilection for Darkthrone/Satyricon-styled grooves Continue reading “Wederganger/Laster – Split (Review)”

Vow of Thorns – Farewell to the Sun (Review)

Vow of ThornsVow of Thorns are a post-black metal band from Canada, and this is their début album.

This is post-black metal with liberal lashings of the depressive and doom styles, and a taste for the progressive too.

The songs have a depressive black metal feel to them, coming from their general demeanour and the melodies used. Continue reading “Vow of Thorns – Farewell to the Sun (Review)”

Nogrod – Abstruce Dismal (Review)

NogrodThis is the début EP from this Indian blackened death metal band.

Think of bands like Behemoth and Belphegor – bands that combine the brutality of death metal with the occult malevolence of black metal. This is the world that Nogrod inhabit.

This is either black metal with a death metal influence, or blackened death metal, depending Continue reading “Nogrod – Abstruce Dismal (Review)”

Todtgelichter – Rooms (Review)

TodtgelichterThis is the fifth album from Todtgelichter, who play progressive/avant-garde black metal.

Rooms comes across as a combination of Enslaved and Madder Mortem, with a side-order of some of Arcturus‘ work. The resultant mix reminds of a post-black metal version of Obscure Sphinx. Which, considering who good Obscure Sphinx are, is an exciting proposition.

The music generally fuses elements of Continue reading “Todtgelichter – Rooms (Review)”

Infernal Diatribe – Videha Mukti (Review)

Infernal DiatribeThis is the début release from Infernal Diatribe, an Indian black metal band.

This is occult black metal, played with grim atmospheres and morbid delight.

Videha Mukti has a very satisfying production, with the drums in particular coming across well. Whether the drummer is throwing out blast beats, providing a firm double bass bedrock or merely playing a solid beat, it all gives the blackened Continue reading “Infernal Diatribe – Videha Mukti (Review)”

Strafk – Entomophobia (Review)

StrafkStrafk are a Russian black metal band and this is their second EP.

Their début EP, Phaseshifting, was experimental black metal, all dark, menacing guitars and free-form malevolence.

There are two tracks on this new release, with the entire EP lasting under 10 minutes in total, and it has a different feel to it than Phaseshifting.

Up first is a track named Φόβος, and starts off with a sinister Continue reading “Strafk – Entomophobia (Review)”