Inculcator is a one-man UK black metal project. This is his début album.
With roots firmly growing out of the distant 80s, this is black metal with thrash influences. Or thrash metal with blackened influences. Who cares; turn up the volume, press play and revel in the ridiculously OTT 80s nature of this thoroughly endearing release.
The recording has a wonderfully cosmic edge, surely influenced by Continue reading “Inculcator – Void Abecedary (Review)”
Battle Path’s latest album Ambedo sees the band expanding their sound into wider arenas, creating an extremely enjoyable 47 minutes that improves upon their already impressive earlier work. I managed to have a chat with the band about their latest release and its place in the grand scheme of things…
Battle Path formed out the ashes of Murfreesboro band Under the Earth. It originally started as a drone project with Casey, Todd, and Nathan, very shortly afterward Chase and Adam joined, and that is how Storm and Stress was created. After time, Chase moving and Casey having an injury that prevented him from drumming, it evolved into what it is today. Continue reading “Interview with Battle Path”
You may not know who André Aaslie is, but hopefully that’s about to change. He’s the man behind both the atmospheric splendour of doom-titans Abyssic and the symphonic black metal of Images at Twilight. Both bands are doing something a bit different and a bit special with their respective styles, down in no small part to their classical/orchestral parts, courtesy of André . Abyssic’s A Winter’s Tale and Images at Twilight’s Kings are both a firm hit with me, so when I got the chance to quiz the man himself, I didn’t hesitate…
My main influences for Images At Twilight is the black metal scene from the nineties, and especially bands like Dark Funeral, Marduk, Emperor, Limbonic Art, Tartaros, Bal-Sagoth, Satyricon, Nokturnal Mortum, Obsidian Gate, Dimmu Borgir, Anorexia Nervosa a.o. In Abyssic, I need to mention My Dying Bride as the main influence for both me and Memnock. Until now we have made all the music together for Abyssic. In both bands I could mention several film-score conductors. And also a lot of progressive rock from the seventies, as well as the one and only Devil Doll, who influences just about everything I do in music. Continue reading “Interview with André Aaslie (Images at Twilight/Abyssic)”
This is the début album from this Swedish death metal band.
Their début EP The Insurrection was a brief blast of authentic Swedish death metal, complete with chainsaw guitars, bestial vocals and brutal delivery. As I asked at the time; what’s not to like here?
So, onto their full-length release, Age of the Fanatics. Well, the band have progressed on from what they started on their EP; now they have actually Continue reading “Gutter Instinct – Age of the Fanatics (Review)”
This is the fourth album from Czech band Panychida, who play black metal.
Panychida’s 2013 release Grief for an Idol was an enjoyable slab of Pagan-influenced black metal, which is why I have been looking forward to their latest release.
Let’s start off with the album artwork; I like a good cover and this is one Continue reading “Panychida – Haereticalia – The Night Battles (Review)”
Uhtcearu are a melodic black metal band from the US. This is their début album.
The production on The Plight of Wanderers is enough to turn blood to pure ice. It’s the perfect kind of recording that allows for that intimate sense of frozen fragility and icy winds to permeate every fibre of your being, while at the same time retaining enough clarity and power to showcase the band in the best darkened light. Also, the bass can be heard. Bonus. Continue reading “Uhtcearu – The Plight of Wanderers (Review)”
Bizarre are a Spanish death metal band and this is their début release.
Featuring members of Onirophagus, Famishgod and Elderdawn, this new band peddle a nice line in old-school death metal that’s dark, foetid and reeks of decay.
The vocals consist of a combination of utterly illegible Continue reading “Bizarre – Inner Necropolis (Review)”
Abisso are a black metal band from Italy and this is their début album.
Abisso specialise in underground atmospheric black metal that has an emphasis on the murk and grime of the underworld, rather than the starry, keyboard enhanced heavens that a lot of atmospheric black metal sets its sights on.
As such, this album contains atmospheric dissonance with Continue reading “Abisso – WRNSS (Review)”
Arallu are a band that have been releasing quality music for almost 20 years, and their fifth album, Geniewar, sees the band losing no momentum or creative power. It’s an engrossing listen, and by rights the band should be at least twice as popular as they actually are. With that in mind, let’s take the time to catch up with Arallu and find out a bit more about what makes this very individual black metal band tick…
Hello from Jerusalem.
Arallu was founded in Jerusalem, in the middle of the conflict between the religions around the old city of Jerusalem in the 90s. When you live as the terror is surrounding you. Want it or not, it inspires you whatever you do. Continue reading “Interview with Arallu”
Sarcoptes are a black metal band from the US. This is their début album.
This record makes me feel nostalgic. The band play a classic style of black metal that incorporates elements of the 90s symphonic style alongside a few thrashier bits here and there. It really does take me back to the early days of bands like Cradle of Filth, Emperor, Bal-Sagoth, Hecate Enthroned, Dimmu Borgir, etc.
The singer has Continue reading “Sarcoptes – Songs and Dances of Death (Review)”
Wonderbox Metal 